Director of People Operations

Columbia, MD / Hybrid Full-time Posted July 1, 2026 Overview Talon Defense is seeking an experienced Director of Human Resources to build, lead, and scale our people operations during a period of rapid organic growth and strategic acquisitions. This individual will serve as a trusted advisor to executive leadership while developing the HR infrastructure, policies, talent strategies, and employee experience that enable a high-performance organization supporting the national security mission. The ideal candidate thrives in fast-paced environments, enjoys building processes from the ground up, and understands the unique demands of government contracting and technology organizations. Key Responsibilities Lead all aspects of Human Resources including recruiting, onboarding, employee relations, performance management, benefits, compliance, and offboarding Develop and implement HR policies, procedures, and employee programs that support company growth and culture Partner with executive leadership on organizational planning, workforce strategy, and talent development Support mergers and acquisitions by leading employee integration, communications, and organizational transitions Oversee full-cycle recruiting and talent acquisition efforts across technical, operational, and corporate positions Manage employee benefits programs and serve as the primary liaison with benefit providers and brokers Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local employment laws as well as government contractor requirements Administer performance review processes, employee engagement initiatives, and leadership development programs Maintain HRIS data integrity and optimize HR systems including Gusto and other HR technology platforms Support compensation planning, salary benchmarking, bonus administration, and workforce planning Partner with Finance and Operations to support headcount planning, labor reporting, and organizational forecasting Promote a culture of accountability, collaboration, innovation, and continuous improvement Required Qualifications Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related field 10+ years of progressive Human Resources experience with at least 5 years in an HR leadership role Experience supporting rapidly growing organizations Strong knowledge of employment law, HR best practices, and regulatory compliance Experience administering HRIS and payroll systems such as Gusto or similar platforms Demonstrated ability to build HR processes and programs from the ground up Excellent interpersonal, communication, and executive-level influencing skills Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously Ability to exercise discretion and maintain confidentiality with sensitive information Preferred Qualifications Experience supporting government contractors or companies operating in the defense or national security sectors Familiarity with FAR, DFARS, Service Contract Act (SCA), and related GovCon workforce requirements Professional HR certification (SHRM-CP, SHRM-SCP, PHR, or SPHR) Experience supporting mergers, acquisitions, and organizational integration efforts Experience with compensation planning and executive-level workforce reporting Knowledge of security clearance processes and cleared workforce administration Experience supporting organizations operating in hybrid and remote work environments Security Clearance Candidates must be U.S. citizens. The ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. Government security clearance is preferred, with eligibility for a Top Secret clearance considered a strong plus. #J-18808-Ljbffr