Director of People

**Role can also hybrid in Long Beach, CA.** About the Company We are a high\-growth, venture\-backed technology company rethinking how a traditionally offline, operationally complex industry works. Our platform brings modern software, data, and automation to an environment that has historically relied on manual processes and outdated systems. We are building a lean, ambitious team focused on solving real\-world problems at scale — and doing so with high standards, strong ownership, and a culture that values speed, accountability, and trust. The Role We’re looking for a **hands\-on Director of People** to help scale the organization from \~40 employees to 100\+ and beyond, while preserving a high\-performance, people\-first culture. While we partner with a PEO, this person will be the **sole internal owner of HR and recruiting** , acting as the architect of our people systems, policies, and culture. You’ll work closely with leadership to design the structure and processes that support growth without sacrificing what makes a startup environment special. This role requires a rare blend of **big\-company rigor and startup pragmatism** — someone who knows how to bring structure, compliance, and best practices into a fast\-moving organization without slowing it down. Key Responsibilities Policy \& People Infrastructure * Design, refine, and communicate HR policies aligned with compliance requirements, labor laws, and industry best practices * Develop and implement a clear compensation philosophy balancing market competitiveness and internal equity * Strengthen performance management frameworks to drive accountability while fitting the company’s stage and culture * Advocate for and implement competitive benefits programs appropriate for a growing team Performance \& Change Management * Establish clear performance standards and a culture of regular, direct feedback * Build and deliver manager training focused on leadership, accountability, and effective feedback * Coach leaders through difficult conversations and performance improvement plans * Navigate the tension between startup autonomy and necessary operational structure * Proactively address cultural friction as the organization matures * Serve as a trusted, visible partner across the company for people, talent, and culture Employee Relations \& Compliance * Handle employee relations matters with discretion, fairness, and sound judgment * Ensure compliance with employment law, workforce classifications, and ethical standards * Manage accommodations, leaves, investigations, and disciplinary processes Talent \& Recruiting * Partner with leadership on workforce planning, org design, and succession planning * Lead full\-cycle recruiting for critical roles, including hands\-on sourcing when needed * Review and continuously improve onboarding experiences * Own and administer the ATS (e.g., Lever, Ashby), including interview plans, permissions, and workflows HR Operations * Own HRIS administration, payroll coordination, and benefits enrollment * Generate workforce analytics and insights to support leadership decision\-making * Manage the full employee lifecycle from offer to offboarding Required Qualifications * 8\+ years of progressive HR experience, including 3–4\+ years in a generalist or people\-manager role * Experience working with a PEO (e.g., Justworks or similar) * Background supporting both hourly and salaried employees * Proven ability to operate effectively in high\-growth startups while applying structured HR best practices * Hands\-on experience developing HR policies across compensation, compliance, and performance management * Demonstrated success improving accountability, feedback, and performance culture * Bachelor’s degree in HR, Business, Psychology, or a related field