Director of People (Long Beach)

Role is 3 day hybrid in Long Beach, CA or San Francisco, 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brings modern software, data, and automation to an environment that has historically relied on manual processes and outdated systems.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

Senior Manager or 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
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 off boarding

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