Director of People & HR Operations

Our client, a global consulting firm, is seeking a Director of People Operations & Culture to join their team on a contract, with potential to go full-time if it's a strong fit.

Office policy: Remote

Duration: 1-3 month contract (potential to go full-time)

Rate: ~$70/hour, converting to ~175-190k

This role is remote. Employee will work from own location; must be comfortable working across global time zones.

Responsbilities:

Strategy and leadership

• Develop and lead the People function strategy, with clear goals, metrics, and annual priorities aligned to the organization's strategic plan.
• Report people metrics such as retention, engagement, utilization trends, and compliance status to the Executive Leadership Team, and adapt programs based on what the data shows.
• Lead workforce and capacity planning with senior leaders, anticipating how changes in client contracts affect team members' hours and income, and designing practical mitigations.
• Serve as a trusted advisor and coach to senior leaders and managers, and manage external HR advisors and employment counsel.

Hiring and contracting

• Set hiring policy and standards so that recruitment is equitable, competency-based, and consistent across roles and countries, working with our Talent Manager, who leads recruitment and our applicant tracking system.
• Make contractor and employee classification decisions that meet legal requirements in each jurisdiction.
• Lead the offer and contracting process, including recommending rates and titles and approving offer letters, contractor agreements, and amendments.
• Design and manage the contractor-to-employee transition process and international hiring, including analysis of the cost and compliance requirements of hiring in new countries.
• Manage our PEO and EOR relationships to ensure accuracy, compliance, and alignment with organizational practices.

Compensation and benefits

• Lead implementation of the compensation program in line with the organization's compensation principles, including daily rates, bonus programs, and the annual compensation review.
• Design and recommend benefits for team members in the US and internationally, working to make packages as equitable as feasible across geographies.
• Manage benefits, leave, and open enrollment across countries, and serve as the escalation point for compensation, benefits, leave, and payroll issues.
• Oversee payroll, PTO, and contractor payment processes in partnership with our Finance and Administration team.

Compliance, policy, and systems

• Ensure compliance with employment law in every jurisdiction where we have staff or consultants, resolving issues promptly to limit risk.
• Maintain clear and accessible HR policies, SOPs, and an employee handbook that reflect our values and our global, remote operating model.
• Set records retention policy and lead audits related to people operations.
• Oversee people systems, including HRIS, PEO and EOR portals, and time tracking, and set data protection standards for HR and candidate data.

Culture and organizational development

• Set the strategy for an inclusive culture across a remote, global, and flexible team, with attention to belonging, trust, and psychological safety for staff and consultants alike.
• Partner with our Operations Manager on onboarding, all-team gatherings, retreats, and the annual team survey, setting objectives and measures for each.
• Advise our internal learning and DEI working groups on priorities, data, and policy implications.
• Lead organizational design changes and support change management and communications.

Talent development, performance, and employee relations

• Own and evolve the competency model, career pathway framework, and competency-based performance management program, including calibration.
• Design and lead manager development programs that build inclusive management practices.
• Lead retention strategies and people analytics, including survey and exit interview insights, and ensure equitable access to professional development across geographies and contract types.
• Lead employee relations, coaching leaders and managers through performance challenges, conflict, and staff transitions.

Required Skills and Competencies

• At least 10 to 15 years of progressive HR experience, including at least three years leading an HR or People function or holding broad senior generalist responsibility.
• Hands-on experience with employment compliance in multiple countries and with PEO or EOR providers (Justworks and Deel experience is a plus).
• Experience in consulting, professional services, or another project-funded setting, including supporting hourly, day-rate, or contract team members.
• A track record designing compensation, benefits, policy, and performance management programs.
• Sound judgment in employee relations and confidence coaching senior leaders.
• Experience working with teams across low-, middle-, and high-income countries, and a commitment to equitable practice.
• HR certification required (SHRM, SPHR, or CIPD).
• Background in social impact, philanthropy, global health, or international development is preferred.