Director of Talent

DIRECTOR OF TALENT Location: Seattle, WA (with regional travel as needed) Strong preference for candidates based in or near one of our current or future hubs: Seattle, Reno, Boise, Corvallis, Salt Lake City, or Minneapolis. Reports to: Controller, Columbia Safety Services Who We Are At Columbia Safety Services, we’re building a family of fire protection companies across the West Coast. Our playbook isn’t about quick flips or short-term gains — it’s about long-term stewardship, strong values, and building companies where people love to work. We believe people are the foundation. When we invest in our employees, they deliver for our customers, who in turn sustain and grow our business. That cycle of trust and value is what sets us apart — and we need a Director of Talent who’s excited to help us scale it. The Opportunity This isn’t a paper-pushing HR job. As our Director of Talent, you’ll design and lead the systems that attract, grow, and keep great people across multiple states and business units. You’ll shape everything from recruiting pipelines to leadership programs, career paths to cultural engagement — all while keeping your sleeves rolled up to make sure it works in real life. If you’ve ever wanted to help build a best-in-class talent function from the ground up, this is that moment. What You’ll Do Build & Grow Talent Create recruiting strategies that scale, and build pipelines for technicians, project managers, and leaders. Represent Columbia at career fairs and industry events, putting our brand on the map as an employer of choice. Partner with managers to write clear job descriptions and hire the right people, fast. Develop & Engage People Launch apprenticeship, internship, and leadership programs that actually move careers forward. Define career paths across trades and support roles, so people see a future here. Oversee performance reviews that are useful, not just check-the-box. Lead engagement efforts: surveys, recognition programs, cultural events — the fun stuff that makes work feel human. Collaborate with execs to set competitive pay ranges and bonus structures that attract and retain talent in every market. Shape Culture & Retention Be a visible champion of our values: Customer Centricity, Effective Communication, Consistency, Initiative, Trustworthiness. Reinforce a culture that’s positive, engaged, and gritty — people who want to get better every day. Organize service projects and community involvement that connect our branches to the neighborhoods we serve. Drive Strategy & Operations Partner on succession planning and organizational design for growth. Standardize policies across our family of companies while respecting local cultures. Own onboarding and offboarding processes that leave lasting impressions. Keep the handbook fresh, not stale. Track the metrics that matter: turnover, time-to-fill, engagement, retention. Help lead our Leadership Development Program across the platform. What You Bring 8+ years in HR, Talent Acquisition, or Org Development (with at least 3 years in leadership). Experience building talent programs in a growing, multi-site business. Knowledge of recruiting, workforce planning, engagement, and compliance across states. Strong communication chops — you build trust at every level. Comfort in a hands‑on, entrepreneurial environment where the playbook is still being written. Bonus if you’ve worked in fire protection, construction, skilled trades, or service industries (but not required). Why You’ll Love It Here You’ll help shape the future of a company that’s expanding across the West Coast. You’ll be in a seat where your work directly impacts people’s lives, not just policies. You’ll join a culture where values aren’t just posters on the wall — they’re how we run the business. And you’ll do it all in a role with competitive pay, great benefits, and real growth potential. Salary: $70,000 – $90,000, depending on location, experience, and qualifications. Bonus: Target 20% of base pay, tied to MBOs. Medical, dental, and vision insurance for you and your family. 401(k) with employer match. Generous PTO and paid holidays. Company‑paid life & disability insurance, with options to add more. Employee assistance program (EAP) and ongoing training opportunities. Ready to Build Something That Lasts? If you’re looking for a role where you can make a real difference, shape culture, and help people build careers they’re proud of, we’d love to talk. Equal Opportunity Employer, including disabled and veterans. #J-18808-Ljbffr