Human Resources Director

About the role

Tellepsen is a leader in the commercial construction industry in Houston. Over the past five years the company has more than doubled in size and taken on new complexity. People Operations is evolving into a function that enables growth by solving people and organizational problems. This role will guide that evolution, set the direction for a team that partners with department leaders across talent, organizational design, compensation and benefits, and employee relations for Tellepsen Corporation and its operating companies. The goal is to build a team that anticipates needs, solves problems early, and finds practical ways forward rather than slowing the business down, while also developing the current team.

Responsibilities

• Set the strategic direction for the People Operations function and lead it to support the company’s continued growth.
• Partner with department leaders to find practical, well‑managed solutions that keep the business moving, rather than defaulting to process.
• Develop the team into trusted advisors on talent acquisition, learning and development, performance, and employee relations.
• Manage compliance and risk in a practical, scalable way that protects the company without slowing it down.
• Diagnose business and organizational problems and build people‑side solutions—including workforce planning, organizational design, staffing, and role design.
• Lead the training and development, talent acquisition, and performance management functions as drivers of the company’s growth.
• Lead the benefits and total rewards function, balancing market competitiveness against business needs.
• Anticipate people and resource needs as the company scales and address them early.
• Strengthen managers’ ability to make sound People decisions on their own.

Important Skills and Attributes

• Leadership: Able to focus a team on the right goals and get the best from people; self‑assured with an in‑check ego, valuing the right decision over being right.
• Communication: Timely, transparent, direct, and specific; able to influence and work with leaders and employees across the business.
• Proactive and Tenacious: Strong work ethic; not deterred by obstacles or an initial “no”; results‑oriented and known for getting things done.
• Innovation and Technology: Disciplined and creative about using the best tools to improve how work is done.
• Humility: Checks ego at the door; works collaboratively rather than hierarchically.
• Collaboration: Gets the best from people through a team approach.
• Passion: Genuine interest in the construction business and the people who build it.
• Community Involvement: Passion for Houston’s civic and community life, both high‑profile and low‑profile organizations.

Definition of Success

• The People Operations function helps the business move quickly and confidently.
• Leaders rely on the People team for practical solutions and guidance.
• The team works as a business partner, not a service desk.
• The function grows alongside the company.
• People and organizational needs are anticipated and addressed early.
• Managers throughout the enterprise are more capable of making their own People decisions.
• Talent pipelines are strong, key people stay, and risk is well managed.

Requirements/Experience

• 10+ years in HR or People leadership, including significant experience as a strategic partner to senior leadership (not solely administrative).
• Track record of building or transforming a People Operations/Human Resources function.
• Strong business fluency – able to connect HR/People Operations to operational and financial performance.
• Proactive, solutions‑oriented approach – takes initiative and brings practical answers rather than roadblocks.
• Sound judgment on risk – balances careful review with the need to keep the business moving.
• Comfortable using tools and technology to improve how the team works, embracing the core value that “The Status Quo is Unacceptable.”
• Bachelor’s degree in HR, Organizational Development, or a related field; HR certifications preferred; Master’s degree a plus.
• Familiarity with Viewpoint/Vista, MS Word, and Excel.
• Construction industry experience is a strong plus.

Benefits

• 401(k) plan
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Life insurance
• Education incentives
• Employee assistance programs