Director, People Operations

About Hawke Media 

Hawke was founded on the idea that every modern business needs a CMO-level expert to lead digital marketing efforts. We customize data-driven, performance-focused solutions to help launch, scale, and invigorate businesses of all sizes, industries, and revenue models. We’re shifting the agency paradigm by putting client success ahead of our own. We’ve been featured in Forbes, Entrepreneur, INC, Business Insider, and CNN, and we can boast clients such as Red Bull, Verizon, Evite (and many, many more). We work hard and collaborate to create our dynamic culture. 

Job Summary 

We are seeking a hands-on Director, People Operations to lead the People function for our approximately 150-person organization. As the company's senior HR leader, this role owns the full employee experience, including People Operations, employee relations, payroll, benefits, recruiting, compliance, performance management, and culture initiatives.

The Director will lead a team of two HR professionals and one recruiter while remaining actively involved in the day-to-day work. We're looking for someone who can provide sound HR leadership, build strong relationships across the organization, and ensure our People practices are effective, compliant, and aligned with the needs of the business.

Responsibilities:

People Leadership & Employee Experience

• Lead, coach, and develop a People team of two HR professionals and one recruiter.
• Serve as the company's senior HR resource and a trusted partner to leadership, managers, and employees.
• Oversee the full employee lifecycle, including onboarding, development, performance management, leaves, employee changes, and offboarding.
• Coach managers on performance, employee relations, team dynamics, and application of company policies.
• Handle sensitive and complex employee relations matters with sound judgment and discretion.
• Develop and improve HR policies, programs, processes, and systems as the organization evolves.

• Partner with leadership to foster a positive, inclusive, and high-performing workplace culture.
• Develop and coordinate employee engagement, recognition, communication, and culture-building initiatives.
• Manage employee surveys and feedback programs and help translate insights into practical improvements.
• Support company events and initiatives that strengthen employee connection and engagement.
• Help managers reinforce company values and create a consistent employee experience across teams.

Payroll, Benefits & 401(k)

• Own and process payroll for about 150 employees, ensuring accurate, timely payroll cycles.
• Manage employee changes, deductions, bonuses, final pay, reporting, and payroll reconciliation.
• Oversee employee benefits administration and serve as the primary contact for benefits-related matters.
• Lead annual benefits renewals and open enrollment, partnering with brokers and leadership to evaluate plans, costs, and employee impact.
• Oversee 401(k) administration and compliance coordination, including contributions, annual testing, required notices, audits, and filings in partnership with external providers and Finance.
• Manage relationships with payroll, benefits, retirement plan, and other HR vendors.

Recruiting & Talent

• Oversee the recruiting function and manage the company's recruiter.
• Partner with hiring managers on workforce needs, job descriptions, interviewing, candidate selection, compensation, and offers.
• Monitor recruiting pipelines, open positions, and hiring progress while ensuring a positive candidate experience.
• Ensure hiring and onboarding practices are consistent, effective, and compliant.

HR Compliance & People Programs

• Own day-to-day HR compliance and maintain policies and practices consistent with federal, California, and applicable local employment requirements.
• Stay current on employment law developments and recommend updates to policies and practices as needed.
• Oversee required trainings, employment notices, personnel records, reporting, and other HR compliance requirements.
• Manage leaves of absence and workplace accommodations, partnering with outside counsel or advisors when appropriate.
• Coordinate performance review and compensation review cycles.
• Maintain accurate employee records and HR systems, ensuring appropriate confidentiality and data practices.
• Track key People metrics, including headcount, turnover, recruiting, and employee trends.
• Identify opportunities to improve processes, reduce administrative friction, and strengthen the employee experience.

Qualifications and Expectations:

• Experience serving as a senior HR leader or managing a broad People Operations function.
• Prior experience leading and developing an HR/People team.
• Strong working knowledge of California employment practices and HR compliance.
• Hands-on experience processing payroll for a similarly sized organization.
• Experience managing benefits, annual renewals, open enrollment, and retirement plan administration.
• Experience handling complex employee relations matters and coaching managers.
• Experience overseeing recruiting and talent processes.
• Experience developing employee engagement and culture initiatives.
• Strong experience with HRIS, payroll, benefits, and applicant tracking systems. (Paycom a plus)
• Excellent judgment, discretion, organization, and communication skills.
• A collaborative, practical approach with a willingness to be both a leader and a hands-on HR operator.
• Bachelor's degree or equivalent relevant experience; 
• PHR, SHRM-CP certification (SPHR, SHRM-SCP certification is a plus)
   

Visa Sponsorship: Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States at the time of hire and throughout employment, without employer-sponsored visa support, as this role is not eligible for sponsorship at this time.

Salary Range: $120,000 - $140,000

Location: Full-Time in-office Santa Monica HQ (5 Days in-office)

Perks And Benefits

Health and Wellness

• Medical, Dental, and Vision Coverage
• Health Savings Account (HSA) or Flexible Spending Account (FSA)
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
   

Financial Benefits

• Competitive Base Salary
• 401(k) with Company Match
• Life and Disability Insurance
   

Time Off

• Unlimited Paid Time Off (PTO)
• Paid Holidays
• Paid Paternal/Maternal Leave
   

Growth and Development

• Ongoing Training and Learning Opportunities
• Career Path Progression