Director, Human Resources

Description

Position Summary

The Director of Human Resources serves as the senior HR leader for Blue Ops, partnering closely with the Business Unit President and leadership team to develop organizational capability, strengthen leadership effectiveness, and create a high-performing culture aligned with Red Cat's mission.

Operating within Red Cat's hybrid People model, this position owns the day-to-day delivery of Human Resources for Blue Ops, including employee relations, talent acquisition, performance management, organizational effectiveness, leadership coaching, employee engagement, and local HR execution. This position will lead and support the HR team in Valdosta, GA.

The Director works in close partnership with Red Cat's centralized People Operations team, which provides enterprise leadership for compensation, benefits, HRIS, payroll, equity administration, enterprise compliance, enterprise leadership development, and company-wide HR programs. This role ensures enterprise policies are effectively implemented while maintaining the speed, autonomy, and responsiveness required by the business.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

HR Business Partnership

• Serve as the primary HR advisor to the Blue Ops President and leadership team.

• Translate business objectives into people strategies that improve organizational performance.

• Provide coaching to leaders on employee performance, organizational effectiveness, succession planning, and leadership development.

• Build trusted partnerships across all levels of the organization.

Employee Relations

• Lead all employee relations activities for Blue Ops.

• Conduct investigations and resolve employee concerns in a timely, fair, and consistent manner.

• Coach managers through performance management, corrective action, organizational changes, and difficult employee situations.

• Foster a culture of accountability, respect, and high performance.

Talent Acquisition

• Lead recruiting efforts for Blue Ops in partnership with hiring managers.

• Ensure positions are filled quickly while maintaining high hiring standards.

• Partner with Red Cat recruiting resources when appropriate.

• Manage onboarding to accelerate employee integration and productivity.

Organizational Effectiveness

• Drive employee engagement initiatives, including Red Cat sponsored initiatives.

• Support organizational design and workforce planning.

• Identify opportunities to improve processes, reduce bureaucracy, and increase organizational effectiveness.

• Champion Red Cat's leadership principles and core values culture.

Leadership Development

• Identify leadership capability gaps.

• Support implementation of enterprise leadership development initiatives.

• Coach managers on performance management, career development, communication, and team effectiveness.

Policy Implementation & Compliance

• Ensure consistent application of company policies and employment practices.

• Partner with the centralized People Operations team on compliance matters including federal, state, and local employment regulations.

• Escalate complex employment issues requiring enterprise guidance.

• Maintain accurate employment documentation and support internal audits.

Partnership with Centralized People Operations

• Work collaboratively with Red Cat's centralized People Operations team to execute enterprise programs including:

• Compensation administration and salary structure implementation

• Benefits administration and employee education

• Payroll coordination

• HRIS data integrity and transactions

• Equity administration

• Enterprise compliance initiatives

• Leadership development programs

• Company-wide HR policies and initiatives

• The Director provides local execution and feedback while centralized functions maintain enterprise ownership and governance.

Workforce Planning & Headcount

• Partner with business leaders to develop workforce plans that support business objectives.

• Evaluate staffing needs and organizational design recommendations.

• Ensure all new headcount requests, organizational changes, and position additions are reviewed through established enterprise approval processes.

• Partner with the Vice President of People on workforce planning and final headcount approvals.

HR Operations

• Ensure timely execution of all local HR processes.

• Maintain accurate personnel documentation.

• Monitor HR metrics and identify trends requiring leadership attention.

• Recommend continuous improvements that increase efficiency and employee experience.

Other Responsibilities

• Lead special HR initiatives.

• Participate in cross-functional enterprise projects.

• Perform other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or related field preferred. Equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered.

• 10+ years of progressive Human Resources experience.

• Minimum 3 years leading an HR function or HR team.

• Strong working knowledge of multi-state employment law.

• Demonstrated experience advising senior leaders on organizational and employee matters.

• Experience leading employee relations investigations and conflict resolution.

• Experience supporting recruiting and workforce planning.

• Strong business acumen and ability to balance business needs with employee experience.

• Experience working in matrixed or multi-location organizations preferred.

• Experience with HRIS platforms such as Paycom.

• Excellent communication, influencing, and relationship-building skills.

• High level of professionalism, judgment, and discretion handling confidential information.

Additional Desired Qualifications

• Aerospace, defense, manufacturing, or government contracting experience.

• SHRM-SCP or SPHR certification.

• Experience supporting ITAR/EAR regulated organizations.

• Experience building HR functions within high-growth organizations.

Physical Requirements and Working Conditions

• Ability to sit and work at a computer for extended periods.

• Capability to lift and carry files or boxes up to 15lbs as needed.

• Manual dexterity for tasks such as typing, filing, and paperwork handling.

• Ability to communicate effectively in-person, via phone, and through email.

• Capability to navigate the office environment to collaborate with staff.

• Operate standard office equipment such as computers, printers, and scanners.

• Maintain focus and attention to detail when performing tasks.

• Ability to manage multiple tasks in a fast-paced environment.

• Maintain confidentiality when handling sensitive employee information.

Background Check

This position will require successfully completing a post-offer background check. Qualified candidates with a criminal history will be considered and are not automatically disqualified, consistent with federal and state law.

EEO and ITAR/EAR Work Authorization Disclosure

Red Cat Holdings provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. This position requires direct or indirect access to hardware, software, technology or technical data controlled under the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) and the Export Administration Regulations (EAR). Successful candidates for positions subject to ITAR/EAR restrictions must provide proof of U.S. Citizenship or Permanent Residence and must not require sponsorship for export-restricted work authorization.

E-Verify

The company participates E-Verify ( ensure eligibility for employment and compliance with Right to Work ( rules.

Compensation: Base pay, plus generous annual equity package and potential bonuses.