Head of Human Resources

About the role

Professional Search by Kingsley Gate is seeking a Head of Human Resources on behalf of our client, a rapidly growing, private equity-backed field services and technology organization. Reporting directly to the CEO, this executive will lead HR strategy, operations, talent development, and organizational transformation across a multi-state workforce of approximately 350 employees. The ideal candidate brings a hands-on leadership approach, experience scaling HR infrastructure, and expertise supporting acquisitions and complex, distributed workforces.

Schedule

Greenville, South Carolina | Hybrid – 4 days onsite, Fridays remote | Approximately 20% travel

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute HR strategies aligned with business growth, operational objectives, and M&A initiatives.
• Build and implement scalable performance management, leadership development, and succession planning programs.
• Oversee compensation, benefits, total rewards, and workforce planning for hourly, salaried, and contractor populations.
• Lead talent acquisition strategies supporting field technicians, operational leadership, and corporate functions.
• Drive HR due diligence, post-acquisition integration, organizational alignment, and change management.
• Optimize HR systems, payroll processes, policies, and infrastructure across multiple business units.
• Ensure multi-state employment law compliance, with particular emphasis on California labor regulations.
• Lead and develop the HR team while establishing meaningful workforce analytics and performance metrics.
• Partner directly with the CEO and executive leadership team on organizational effectiveness and strategic business initiatives.

Requirements

• 10+ years of progressive HR experience, including 5+ years leading an HR function at the VP level or above.
• Background in field services, industrial services, logistics, distribution, manufacturing, or similar operational environments.
• Proven experience supporting blue-collar, hourly, field-based, and geographically dispersed workforces.
• Demonstrated success scaling HR operations within private equity-backed, high-growth, or acquisition-driven organizations.
• Experience leading M&A integration, HR transformation, and organizational change initiatives.
• Strong knowledge of multi-state employment regulations, including California labor law and contractor classification.
• Expertise in performance management, compensation strategy, talent acquisition, and HR technology.
• Hands-on, commercially minded executive capable of balancing strategic leadership with day-to-day execution.
• Bachelor's degree required; advanced degree and SHRM-SCP or SPHR certification preferred.
• Must be authorized to work for any employer in the U.S.; visa sponsorship is not available.

Pay

$200K base target + 25% bonus target, based on experience