Director of Human Resources

Director of Human Resources - Pay approximately $150K/yr + Bonus

About the role

As the Director of Human Resources, you will serve as a key member of the leadership team and a strategic partner to the President, helping to build and protect a people‑first, emotionally safe, and performance‑driven culture. You will oversee core HR functions for a growing, multi‑company organization, including employee relations, policy development, compliance, benefits and compensation administration, and talent practices, while leading and developing a small but capable HR and payroll team. This is a hands‑on leadership role for someone who is as comfortable rolling up their sleeves to manage day‑to‑day HR operations as they are contributing at the table on long‑term organizational design and growth. Based full‑time on‑site near Athens, Georgia, you will champion servant leadership, coach and support managers across the business, and design thoughtful employee engagement initiatives that reflect our values of humility, accountability, and genuine care for our people.

What you'll be doing

• Serve as a strategic, hands-on HR partner to the President and leadership team, overseeing all day-to-day HR operations for employees across multiple companies while helping managers own performance, hiring, and discipline within their teams.
• Lead core HR functions including policy development, employee relations, performance management, compliance, and benefits administration, ensuring fair, consistent, and legally sound practices that reflect the company's values of humility, servant leadership, and emotional safety.
• Coach and support leaders at all levels on people issues—providing guidance on difficult conversations, investigations, and conflict resolution—while fostering a calm, drama-free environment where employees feel heard, respected, and treated with care.
• Oversee and develop the HR team, including an HR Generalist, Payroll, and a partial Office Manager report, coordinating responsibilities such as payroll accuracy, new-hire onboarding, I-9 and HRIS records, uniforms, and company-wide communications.
• Design and execute employee engagement and culture initiatives, appreciation programs, and other events that build connection and reinforce the company's mission.

What we're looking for

• Proven experience as a Director of Human Resources or senior HR leader, with a strong track record of building and leading hands-on HR teams, overseeing HR operations, and partnering closely with executive leadership in a growing, multi-entity organization.
• High adaptability and comfort working in a growth industry, demonstrating the ability to design and improve people processes, support future growth, and stay calm and solutions-focused under pressure.
• Exceptional relationship-building and communication skills, with the ability to coach and support leaders, handle sensitive employee issues with discretion and empathy, and create an open, emotionally safe environment grounded in humility and servant leadership.
• Self-motivated and highly organized, capable of independently managing priorities across recruiting support, employee relations, compliance, payroll oversight, benefits, and culture-building initiatives while collaborating effectively with field leaders and office staff.
• Willingness to work fully on-site, engaging directly with employees and leadership, with the capacity to grow into an enterprise-level HR role as the company grows.

What you'll need

• Proven experience as a Director of Human Resources or senior HR leader, overseeing HR operations, policies, and programs for a growing, multi-entity organization.
• Strong proficiency with HRIS and payroll systems (ideally Viewpoint/Vista or similar), with the ability to evaluate and optimize tools, processes, and reporting.
• Exceptional communication skills, including clear, empathetic, and direct verbal and written abilities to coach leaders, navigate sensitive employee relations issues, and prepare polished HR documentation.
• Highly organized with a keen eye for detail, capable of managing complex HR initiatives, compliance requirements, and multiple concurrent priorities with precision and follow-through.
• Fully comfortable working on-site, engaging daily with employees and leaders in the office and field to maintain a visible, accessible HR presence.
• Deep experience handling confidential and complex HR matters, including investigations, performance and behavior issues, policy interpretation, and compliance with employment laws and regulations.
• Strong interpersonal and coaching skills to support and develop managers, partner closely with payroll, HR generalists, and office staff, and foster a calm, emotionally safe, low-drama environment.
• Commitment to core values such as humility, servant leadership, accountability, and genuine care for people, with the ability to balance employee well-being with the best interests of the company.
• 8 – 15+ years HR experience
• Bachelor's Degree - Business or HR-focused
• SPHR or Master's Degree (Preferred)