HR Manager

About the Opportunity

We are partnering with a well-established organization (50+ years) that is entering a major transformation and growth phase. With a strong legacy and new leadership in place, the company is at a true inflection point—and investing in its first strategic HR leader to help shape what comes next.

This is a rare opportunity to build the People function from the ground up, partnering directly with the CEO to create structure, elevate leadership, and drive a modern, scalable organization.

What You’ll Own

🔹 Build the HR Function from the Ground Up

• Establish core HR infrastructure (policies, processes, systems)

• Create job descriptions, career frameworks, and organizational clarity

• Evaluate and evolve current HR operations (including PEO/vendor strategy)

🔹 Lead Organizational Design & Growth Strategy

• Partner with leadership to redesign structure for future scale

• Align roles, responsibilities, and reporting lines

• Support workforce planning and headcount strategy

🔹 Drive Culture & Leadership Transformation

• Introduce performance management, feedback, and accountability frameworks

• Coach and develop leaders (many newly elevated into roles)

• Shape a forward-looking, high-performing culture

🔹 Own Employee Relations & Leadership Partnership

• Serve as a trusted advisor to the CEO and leadership team

• Navigate employee relations with confidence and discretion

• Support change management across the organization

🔹 Build Compensation & Total Rewards Foundations

• Help design salary bands, comp structures, and leveling frameworks

• Partner with external specialists on executive compensation and incentives

• Support both hourly and salaried workforce models

🔹 Oversee Talent Strategy

• Ensure hiring aligns with long-term business goals

• Bring structure to role definition and hiring processes

• Partner with recruiting to elevate talent quality

🔹 Manage HR Operations & Vendors

• Oversee HR vendors and evaluate build vs. outsource decisions

• Support transition away from current PEO (if applicable)

• Mentor and develop existing HR team members

What We are Looking For

Core Experience

• Proven experience building or transforming an HR function

• Strong generalist foundation across:

  • Employee relations

  • Org design

  • Performance management

  • Compensation basics

• Experience in small to mid-sized companies (approx. 50–500 employees)

• Comfortable operating in ambiguity and fast-changing environments

Leadership Style

• Hands-on and execution-oriented (not purely strategic)

• Able to influence and partner at the executive level

• Confident navigating legacy cultures and driving change

• Builder mindset: sees gaps and instinctively creates solutions

Bonus Points

• Experience with hourly + commission-based workforces

• Exposure to sales-driven environments

• Background in turnaround, transformation, or high-growth settings

• Experience managing or transitioning HR vendors/PEOs

Why This Role Stands Out

🔹 True “build it from scratch” opportunity
🔹 Direct partnership with an engaged, forward-thinking CEO
🔹 Ability to shape culture, structure, and leadership
🔹 High visibility and long-term growth potential

Work Environment

• Hybrid: 2 days onsite (Tues/Thurs), 3 days remote