Director of People & Culture

About the Role

The Director of People & Culture is a strategic partner and hands-on people leader responsible for building the systems, programs, and practices that power a strong, people-first culture while overseeing the full scope of HR operations, compliance, and employee experience at CVNL. This role serves as the organization's primary people and culture leader and a strategic partner to the CEO and leadership team, driving initiatives that support CVNL's mission, values, and operational goals. The Director ensures people practices are sound, compliant, and forward-looking, working closely with senior leadership and managers to align organizational strategy, legal compliance, and effective people practices.

This is a full-time, exempt position based in the Santa Rosa office, providing people and culture support across multiple locations. The role functions as a Department of One with no direct reports and reports to the Chief Executive Officer.

Responsibilities

• Strategic Partnership & Culture Building
  • Serve as a strategic thought partner to the CEO and leadership team, translating organizational strategy and values into people practices, structures, and systems.
  • Design and build systems, programs, and rituals that strengthen and sustain a people-first organizational culture.
  • Lead and support culture, engagement, and retention initiatives that reinforce CVNL's values and support long-term organizational stability.
  • Advise the CEO and leadership team on organizational risk, workforce readiness, and people-related tradeoffs.
  • Support workforce planning and future staffing models aligned with organizational strategy.
  • Contribute to the design and evolution of performance management systems and leadership development frameworks.
• Compliance, Risk Management & Employee Relations
  • Maintain compliance with federal, state, and local employment laws and regulations, including California-specific requirements.
  • Advise managers and employees on the interpretation and application of people and culture policies and procedures.
  • Lead and oversee employee relations matters, including investigations, disciplinary actions, corrective action, and terminations.
  • Administer leaves of absence (FMLA/CFRA/PDL), Workers' Compensation claims, and ADA/FEHA interactive processes.
  • Oversee the Paratransit Random Drug & Alcohol Testing Program in compliance with DOT/FTA regulations.
  • Maintain and update the Injury & Illness Prevention Plan, workplace safety documentation, OSHA logs, and required reporting.
• Recruitment, Onboarding & Workforce Administration
  • Manage all internal recruitment efforts, including managing the ATS (Workable), job postings, screening, interviewing, selection, and training managers on hiring best practices.
  • Oversee pre-employment screening (Checkr), onboarding, employee orientation, and offboarding processes.
  • Administer HRIS systems (ADP), overseeing time and attendance, reporting, and maintaining employee personnel records.
• Compensation, Benefits & Performance Management
  • Oversee Open Enrollment and administer employee benefits programs, including vendor management, renewals, compliance, and annual evaluations for cost-effectiveness and plan design.
  • Support and evolve compensation practices, including pay structures, job classifications, COLA processes, and internal equity.
  • Manage the annual performance review cycle and ongoing performance management processes.
• Organizational Development & Training
  • Partner with the Consulting and Learning & Leadership Team to design and deliver people-related training, consulting, and learning initiatives.
  • Coach managers to build leadership capability, improve performance management, and support effective employee engagement.
  • Support responsible use of technology and AI in people and culture processes, including governance, enablement, and risk mitigation.
• Perform other duties as assigned to support organizational needs.

Requirements

• Required Qualifications
  • Bachelor's degree in Psychology, Human Resources, Organizational Development, Business Administration, Communications, or a related field, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
  • Minimum 7-10 years of progressive human resources experience, with significant experience in California employment law.
  • Demonstrated experience functioning as an HR or People & Culture Department of One, or in a highly autonomous role, with a track record of contributing at a strategic, culture-building level.
  • Strong working knowledge of:
    • California wage and hour laws
    • CFRA/FMLA/PDL and leave administration
    • ACA compliance
    • Employee relations investigations and corrective action
    • Workers' Compensation and workplace safety (Cal/OSHA)
  • Experience administering HRIS platforms (ADP strongly preferred).
  • Proven experience designing or evolving compensation structures and performance management systems.
  • Demonstrated experience building or strengthening organizational culture through intentional programs, systems, and leadership practices.
  • Ability to serve as a trusted, strategic advisor to executive leadership on people, culture, risk, and organizational issues.
  • High degree of discretion and demonstrated ability to handle confidential information with integrity.
  • Strong consulting, interpersonal, team culture building, and conflict resolution skills.
  • Excellent presentation, facilitation, and verbal and written communication skills.
  • Valid California driver's license and ability to travel throughout the Greater Bay Area.
• Preferred Qualifications
  • HR certification (PHR, SPHR, SHRM-CP, or SHRM-SCP).
  • Nonprofit sector experience.
  • Experience supporting safety-sensitive or regulated roles (e.g., DOT/FTA).
  • Experience supporting organizational change, growth, or restructuring.
  • Experience facilitating or delivering management training.
  • Bilingual skills (English/Spanish).

Physical & Travel Demands

• Ability to work occasional nights and weekends to support events/special projects.
• Occasional travel throughout Sonoma, Marin, Napa, and Solano counties; occasionally works outside.
• Must have visual acuity; be able to operate a computer and other office equipment.
• Be able to move about inside an office; frequently communicate with others in person, on the phone, or via computer.
• Routinely lift or move items up to 25 lbs.
• Reasonable accommodations can be made to enable individuals with differing abilities to perform the essential functions.