VP of People and Culture

Benefits 401(k) matching Competitive salary Dental insurance Health insurance Relocation bonus Vision insurance Wellness resources THE OPPORTUNITY Our client provides exceptional support to the Department of Defense and the warfighter, and is entering an exciting new chapter of growth. NOTE: This role is in-person, but work could be performed at any of our client's several office locations around the US. Base salary range $225,000 to $250,000 plus bonus structure. Our client believes the strength of their future will be defined by the strength of their people. They are looking for a VP of People & Culture who sees people strategy as a competitive advantage. This executive will partner with the leadership team to shape culture, develop exceptional leaders, strengthen the employee experience, and build the organizational capabilities needed to scale. The HR team provides the operational and compliance foundation. This role sits above that foundation, focused on defining who the organization is, how it leads, and how it creates an environment where talented people do their best work. For the right leader, this is a rare opportunity to have real influence on the future of a growing company whose people are solving some of the nation's most important engineering and defense challenges. WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR The ideal VP of People & Culture is a strategic leader who looks beyond today's challenges to anticipate what the organization will need next. You are business-minded and you understand how people decisions drive growth and performance. You bring the emotional intelligence to navigate complex organizational dynamics with honesty and empathy, and you have the courage to deliver difficult truths to senior leadership when it matters. You translate strategy into action. You build trust across the organization with executives, managers, and employees alike. You use data to make better decisions without losing the human touch. You are curious, collaborative, and genuinely motivated by mission and purpose. Most importantly, you understand that the People function exists to enable business performance. You know how to balance employee advocacy with business objectives, and you thrive in environments that are growing, evolving, and building something meaningful. You are someone who can: Read a business model and competitive landscape and align people strategy to match Understand the financial and operational implications of people decisions Evaluate the return on investments in talent and organizational development Build strong partnerships across Contract Operations, Finance & Accounting, Business Development, and other functions Build and improve systems, and genuinely enjoy the process of doing it QUALIFICATIONS 15+ years of progressive experience in Human Resources, People & Culture, Organizational Development, Talent Management, or a related field 10+ years of leadership experience, including developing leaders, managing organizational change, and influencing enterprise-level people strategy Demonstrated success helping an organization scale, transform, or evolve through significant growth or change Proven track record developing and implementing people strategies directly aligned with business strategy, spanning organizational development, talent management, succession planning, leadership development, and performance management Strong working knowledge of organizational design, workforce planning, employee engagement, culture, compensation, and talent acquisition Bachelor's degree required; Master's degree in Business Administration, Human Resources, Organizational Development, or Industrial/Organizational Psychology preferred SHRM-SCP, SPHR, or equivalent certification valued, though substantial executive-level experience is equally respected High degree of judgment, discretion, integrity, and emotional intelligence Exceptional written, verbal, and executive communication skills This is a role for someone who is energized by building, not just managing, and who wants their work to matter. If that sounds like you, we would love to talk. #J-18808-Ljbffr