Director of Human Resources and Training

Director of Human Resources and Training Huntington Beach, CA – Onsite Full-Time | $130,000–$140,000 base + bonus | Exempt About the Company A rapidly growing, multi-unit specialty beverage and retail organization with locations across multiple states is seeking a strategic and hands-on Director of Human Resources and Training. The company is known for its strong culture, people-first mindset, and commitment to delivering exceptional customer experiences. With continued expansion, this role will play a key part in shaping scalable people strategies and leadership development initiatives. Position Summary The Director of Human Resources and Training is a senior leadership role responsible for driving overall People strategy across a multi-state, multi-location organization. This individual will oversee HR operations, training, talent development, compliance, and workforce planning while partnering closely with executive leadership to support long-term growth and organizational performance. This is a highly visible role suited for a strategic thinker who can also execute—someone who thrives in high-growth environments and can translate culture into scalable systems and programs. Travel: Approximately 10–15% based on business needs – in surrounding areas to other locations Key Responsibilities Enterprise People Strategy & Leadership • Develop and execute long-term People strategies aligned with company growth • Partner with leadership on organizational design, workforce planning, and succession planning • Serve as a trusted advisor on culture, leadership capability, and change management • Build scalable HR infrastructure to support multi-state expansion • Lead, mentor, and develop HR and Training teams HR Operations & Compliance • Oversee multi-state HR compliance (CA required; NV/AZ a plus) • Mitigate risk across employee relations, wage and hour, ADA/FEHA, and investigations • Ensure policies, procedures, and systems are audit-ready and compliant • Manage complex employee relations issues and investigations Talent & Leadership Development • Design and implement leadership development programs across all levels • Oversee talent acquisition strategy for corporate and senior field roles • Build strong succession plans and leadership pipelines • Enhance onboarding, performance management, and engagement programs Compensation & Benefits • Lead total rewards strategy including compensation structure and incentive programs • Partner with Finance on compensation planning and workforce strategy • Oversee benefits programs, vendor relationships, and cost management People Analytics & Systems • Leverage HRIS and analytics tools to support data-driven decision making • Develop KPIs and dashboards to track workforce trends and performance • Optimize HR systems (Paylocity or similar) for scalability and efficiency • Partner cross-functionally with Operations and Finance to align workforce strategy with business goals Qualifications • 8–10+ years of progressive HR leadership experience • Experience within multi-unit, multi-state environments (retail, hospitality, or similar preferred) • Strong knowledge of California labor law • Proven ability to build and scale HR functions in growing organizations • Experience leading both HR and Learning & Development teams • Strong analytical and strategic thinking skills • Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree preferred • SHRM-SCP or SPHR preferred Why Join • Competitive compensation and bonus opportunity • Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision benefits • Strong, people-focused culture • Career growth and leadership development opportunities • High-impact role within a growing organization Determining compensation for this role (and others) at Vaco/Highspring depends upon a wide array of factors including but not limited to the individual’s skill sets, experience and training, licensure and certifications, office location and other geographic considerations, as well as other business and organizational needs. With that said, as required by local law in geographies that require salary range disclosure, Vaco/Highspring notes the salary range for the role is noted in this job posting. The individual may also be eligible for discretionary bonuses, and can participate in medical, dental, and vision benefits as well as the company’s 401(k) retirement plan. Additional disclaimer: Unless otherwise noted in the job description, the position Vaco/Highspring is filing for is occupied. Please note, however, that Vaco/Highspring is regularly asked to provide talent to other organizations. By submitting to this position, you are agreeing to be included in our talent pool for future hiring for similarly qualified positions. Submissions to this position are subject to the use of AI to perform preliminary candidate screenings, focused on ensuring minimum job requirements noted in the position are satisfied. Further assessment of candidates beyond this initial phase within Vaco/Highspring will be otherwise assessed by recruiters and hiring managers. Vaco/Highspring does not have knowledge of the tools used by its clients in making final hiring decisions and cannot opine on their use of AI products. Vaco by Highspring values a diverse workplace and strongly encourages women, people of color, LGBTQ+ individuals, people with disabilities, members of ethnic minorities, foreign-born residents, and veterans to apply. EEO Notice Vaco by Highspring is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race (including but not limited to traits historically associated with race such as hair texture and hair style), color, sex (includes pregnancy or related conditions), religion or creed, national origin, citizenship, age, disability, status as a veteran, union membership, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, marital status, political affiliation, or any other protected characteristics as required by federal, state or local law. Vaco by Highspring and its parents, affiliates, and subsidiaries are committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, Vaco by Highspring and its parents, affiliates, and subsidiaries will ensure that persons with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and/or to receive other benefits and privileges of employment, please contact View email address on click.appcast.io . Vaco by Highspring also wants all applicants to know their rights that workplace discrimination is illegal. By submitting to this position, you agree that you will be giving Vaco by Highspring the exclusive right to present your as a candidate for the foregoing employment opportunity. You further agree that you have represented information about yourself accurately and have not affirmatively misrepresented your qualifications. You also agree to maintain as confidential, to the fullest extent permitted by law, any information you learn from Vaco by Highspring about the position and you will limit disclosure of information about the position only to the extent necessary to perform any obligations in furtherance of your application. In exchange, Vaco by Highspring agrees to exercise reasonable efforts to represent you through all solicitation, job screening and resume dispersal. Privacy Notice Vaco by Highspring and its parents, affiliates, and subsidiaries (“we,” “our,” or “Vaco by Highspring”) respects your privacy and are committed to providing transparent notice of our policies. California residents may access Vaco by Highspring HR Notice at Collection for California Applicants and Employees here. Virginia residents may access our state specific policies here. Residents of all other states may access our policies here. Canadian residents may access our policies in English here and in French here. Residents of countries governed by GDPR may access our policies here. Pay Transparency Notice Determining compensation for this role (and others) at Vaco by Highspring depends upon a wide array of factors including but not limited to: the individual’s skill sets, experience and training; licensure and certification requirements; office location and other geographic considerations; other business and organizational needs. With that said, as required by local law, Vaco by Highspring believes that the following salary range referenced above reasonably estimates the base compensation for an individual hired into this position in geographies that require salary range disclosure. The individual may also be eligible for discretionary bonuses.