Oceana seeks a Deputy Director, US HR Operations to join Oceana's dynamic and fast-paced human resources team. The Deputy Director, US HR Operations provides senior-level support across core U.S. HR functions, with a focus on delivering consistent, compliant, and efficient operations aligned with Oceana's overall HR strategy. This position plays a key role in strengthening the employee experience, ensuring operational integrity, and translating people-related strategy into practical execution.
Working closely with and serving as a thought partner to the Global HR Director, the Deputy Director is responsible for day-to-day HR operations in the U.S., as well as issue spotting, risk mitigation, and process improvement. The role directly manages the Senior Benefits & HR Specialist and the Senior HR Associate, supporting both execution and professional development.
The ideal candidate is a critical thinker who can resolve complex HR issues, ensure compliance across a distributed U.S. workforce, and proactively identify operational and organizational risks. This is a highly collaborative role that requires the ability to work across functions, manage sensitive matters with discretion, and drive continuous improvement.
Essential Functions:
Serve as the primary contact for U.S. employee relations matters, including performance concerns, conflict resolution, policy guidance, and investigations. Provide coaching and support to managers on complex personnel situations to ensure consistent, fair, and compliant outcomes. Partner with Legal and the Global HR Director on sensitive or high-risk cases, acting as a key internal advisor and escalation point. Anticipate employee relations or compliance risks and recommend proactive solutions to mitigate impact. Oversee end-to-end execution of U.S. HR processes across the employee lifecycle, including recruiting, onboarding, job changes, and offboarding. Supervise and support the Senior Benefits & HR Specialist, ensuring timely and accurate execution of open enrollment, benefit billing, vendor management, and leave administration. Supervise the Senior HR Associate in carrying out key operations including payroll coordination, HRIS updates, and documentation processes. Ensure HR operations are audit-ready and aligned with Oceana's internal controls, regulatory requirements, and data integrity standards. Partner with the Global HR Director to translate strategic HR goals into operational plans, processes, and measurable outcomes. Support the rollout of HR initiatives by managing execution, monitoring adoption, and adjusting implementation as needed. Collaborate with Finance, IT, Legal, and other departments on cross-functional initiatives such as payroll, systems improvements, compensation planning, and compliance activities. Lead mid- to senior-level recruitment efforts in partnership with hiring managers and contribute to inclusive hiring practices. Maintain and update U.S. HR policies, procedures, and employee handbooks in line with federal, state, and local laws. Coordinate compliance-related activities, including regulatory reporting (e.g., ACA, EEOC), training tracking, and policy audits. Provide oversight for leave management, including FMLA, ADA accommodations, return-to-work coordination, and other protected leave programs. Monitor HRIS and workforce data to identify trends, support workforce planning, and inform leadership decision-making. Recommend and implement workflow, system, or reporting improvements to improve operational efficiency and employee experience. Foster documentation, knowledge-sharing, and continuous improvement within the U.S. HR team. Job Requirements
Education and work experience:
Bachelor's degree in human resources, Business Administration, or related field preferred or a combination of education and experience will be considered 8 years of progressive HR experience, with demonstrated expertise in U.S. employee relations, compliance, and HR operations. Prior experience in a distributed or multi-state organization required; experience in nonprofit or mission-driven organizations preferred. SHRM-CP, SHRM-SCP, PHR, or SPHR certification preferred. Skills and knowledge:
Deep knowledge of U.S. labor laws and HR compliance practices. Proven ability to resolve complex employee relations issues with discretion and sound judgment. Demonstrated experience managing HR operations or compliance in a regulated environment. Strong project management, organizational, and process improvement skills. Proficiency with HRIS systems (ADP highly preferred), with the ability to analyze and present HR data to leadership. Ability to build trust and credibility with employees and managers at all levels. Comfortable working independently while knowing when to escalate. Required Competencies:
Action-oriented: Takes on new opportunities and tough challenges with a sense of urgency, high energy and enthusiasm. Instills Trust: Gains the confidence and trust of others through honesty, integrity, and authenticity. Communicate effectively: Developing and delivering multi-mode communications that convey a clear understanding of the unique needs of different audiences. Collaborates: Building partnerships and working collaboratively with others to meet shared objectives. Manages Complexity: Making sense of complex, high quantity, and sometimes contradictory information to effectively solve problems. Adaptability: Adapting approach and demeanor in real-time to match the shifting demands of different situations. Optimizes Work Processes: Knowing the most effective and efficient processes to get things done, with a focus on continuous improvement. Global Perspective: Takes a broad view of issues and challenges and can see them in global contexts.
Oceana values a diverse workforce and welcomes people different from each other in many ways, including characteristics such as race, gender, sexual orientation, religion, ethnicity, and national origin. Oceana considers all qualified candidates and seeks to recruit from a diverse candidate pool.
This position is based in Washington, D.C. Oceana's US offices operate on a hybrid schedule and staff are required to work from their assigned office on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. With an agreement between the employee and their supervisor, the employee may work from home on Monday and Friday.
The salary range for this position is $130,000 to $140,000 annually.
Please apply by February 11, 2026.
Working closely with and serving as a thought partner to the Global HR Director, the Deputy Director is responsible for day-to-day HR operations in the U.S., as well as issue spotting, risk mitigation, and process improvement. The role directly manages the Senior Benefits & HR Specialist and the Senior HR Associate, supporting both execution and professional development.
The ideal candidate is a critical thinker who can resolve complex HR issues, ensure compliance across a distributed U.S. workforce, and proactively identify operational and organizational risks. This is a highly collaborative role that requires the ability to work across functions, manage sensitive matters with discretion, and drive continuous improvement.
Essential Functions:
Serve as the primary contact for U.S. employee relations matters, including performance concerns, conflict resolution, policy guidance, and investigations. Provide coaching and support to managers on complex personnel situations to ensure consistent, fair, and compliant outcomes. Partner with Legal and the Global HR Director on sensitive or high-risk cases, acting as a key internal advisor and escalation point. Anticipate employee relations or compliance risks and recommend proactive solutions to mitigate impact. Oversee end-to-end execution of U.S. HR processes across the employee lifecycle, including recruiting, onboarding, job changes, and offboarding. Supervise and support the Senior Benefits & HR Specialist, ensuring timely and accurate execution of open enrollment, benefit billing, vendor management, and leave administration. Supervise the Senior HR Associate in carrying out key operations including payroll coordination, HRIS updates, and documentation processes. Ensure HR operations are audit-ready and aligned with Oceana's internal controls, regulatory requirements, and data integrity standards. Partner with the Global HR Director to translate strategic HR goals into operational plans, processes, and measurable outcomes. Support the rollout of HR initiatives by managing execution, monitoring adoption, and adjusting implementation as needed. Collaborate with Finance, IT, Legal, and other departments on cross-functional initiatives such as payroll, systems improvements, compensation planning, and compliance activities. Lead mid- to senior-level recruitment efforts in partnership with hiring managers and contribute to inclusive hiring practices. Maintain and update U.S. HR policies, procedures, and employee handbooks in line with federal, state, and local laws. Coordinate compliance-related activities, including regulatory reporting (e.g., ACA, EEOC), training tracking, and policy audits. Provide oversight for leave management, including FMLA, ADA accommodations, return-to-work coordination, and other protected leave programs. Monitor HRIS and workforce data to identify trends, support workforce planning, and inform leadership decision-making. Recommend and implement workflow, system, or reporting improvements to improve operational efficiency and employee experience. Foster documentation, knowledge-sharing, and continuous improvement within the U.S. HR team. Job Requirements
Education and work experience:
Bachelor's degree in human resources, Business Administration, or related field preferred or a combination of education and experience will be considered 8 years of progressive HR experience, with demonstrated expertise in U.S. employee relations, compliance, and HR operations. Prior experience in a distributed or multi-state organization required; experience in nonprofit or mission-driven organizations preferred. SHRM-CP, SHRM-SCP, PHR, or SPHR certification preferred. Skills and knowledge:
Deep knowledge of U.S. labor laws and HR compliance practices. Proven ability to resolve complex employee relations issues with discretion and sound judgment. Demonstrated experience managing HR operations or compliance in a regulated environment. Strong project management, organizational, and process improvement skills. Proficiency with HRIS systems (ADP highly preferred), with the ability to analyze and present HR data to leadership. Ability to build trust and credibility with employees and managers at all levels. Comfortable working independently while knowing when to escalate. Required Competencies:
Action-oriented: Takes on new opportunities and tough challenges with a sense of urgency, high energy and enthusiasm. Instills Trust: Gains the confidence and trust of others through honesty, integrity, and authenticity. Communicate effectively: Developing and delivering multi-mode communications that convey a clear understanding of the unique needs of different audiences. Collaborates: Building partnerships and working collaboratively with others to meet shared objectives. Manages Complexity: Making sense of complex, high quantity, and sometimes contradictory information to effectively solve problems. Adaptability: Adapting approach and demeanor in real-time to match the shifting demands of different situations. Optimizes Work Processes: Knowing the most effective and efficient processes to get things done, with a focus on continuous improvement. Global Perspective: Takes a broad view of issues and challenges and can see them in global contexts.
Oceana values a diverse workforce and welcomes people different from each other in many ways, including characteristics such as race, gender, sexual orientation, religion, ethnicity, and national origin. Oceana considers all qualified candidates and seeks to recruit from a diverse candidate pool.
This position is based in Washington, D.C. Oceana's US offices operate on a hybrid schedule and staff are required to work from their assigned office on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. With an agreement between the employee and their supervisor, the employee may work from home on Monday and Friday.
The salary range for this position is $130,000 to $140,000 annually.
Please apply by February 11, 2026.