People & Culture Director

About the Role

Essential Oxygen is seeking a People & Culture Director to build and lead its people function during a period of growth. Reporting directly to the executive leadership team, the role will oversee the employee lifecycle, including talent acquisition, onboarding, employee relations, performance management, compliance, organizational development, and culture initiatives. The role combines strategic planning with hands-on HR operations and requires someone who can build scalable people processes while serving as a trusted advisor to leadership and a responsive resource for employees.

Responsibilities

• People Strategy & Organizational Development
  • Partner with executive leadership on workforce planning and organizational design.
  • Develop and implement people strategies that support company growth.
  • Advise leadership on employee engagement, retention, succession planning, and change management.
  • Establish scalable HR programs and infrastructure for a growing organization.
• Talent Acquisition & Onboarding
  • Lead recruiting efforts across the organization.
  • Develop job descriptions, interview processes, compensation recommendations, and onboarding programs.
  • Ensure new employees are effectively integrated into the organization and culture.
• Employee Relations & Performance Management
  • Advise managers and employees on personnel matters.
  • Provide coaching and guidance on employee relations, performance concerns, feedback, and conflict resolution.
  • Develop and administer performance management, goal-setting, and professional development initiatives.
• HR Operations & Compliance
  • Own and maintain HR policies, employee handbooks, SOPs, and employee documentation.
  • Administer benefits, leave management, workers' compensation, and employee records.
  • Ensure compliance with California employment laws and regulations, including wage and hour requirements, paid leave, workplace violence prevention, and other employment obligations.
  • Partner with outside legal counsel and external HR resources as necessary.
• Culture & Employee Experience
  • Champion Essential Oxygen's values and B Corp mission.
  • Develop initiatives supporting employee engagement, communication, recognition, and employee experience.
  • Cultivate a culture of accountability, collaboration, transparency, and continuous improvement.
• HR Systems & Administration
  • Manage BambooHR and related HR systems.
  • Maintain employee files, reporting, and compliance documentation.
  • Develop HR metrics and reporting to support leadership decision-making.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related field.
• Minimum 5–7 years of progressive HR experience, including leadership responsibilities.
• Strong experience supporting small businesses, entrepreneurial companies, or high-growth organizations.
• Deep expertise in California employment law and HR compliance.
• Demonstrated experience building HR programs and processes from the ground up.
• Must be a California resident, with the Bay Area preferred.
• Intention to remain in the position for a minimum of one year.

Preferred Qualifications

• SHRM-CP, SHRM-SCP, PHR, or SPHR certification.
• Experience supporting consumer products, manufacturing, distribution, or operational environments.
• Experience working with remote and warehouse-based teams.
• Experience partnering directly with founders and executive leadership teams.
• Experience with HRIS systems, preferably BambooHR.

Key Attributes

• Highly responsive and dependable.
• Strong business judgment and discretion.
• Comfortable operating independently with minimal oversight.
• Confident communicator who can provide candid guidance to leadership.
• Strong organizational skills and ability to manage multiple priorities.
• Hands-on, practical, and solutions-oriented.
• Passion for mission-driven businesses and sustainability.
• Genuine alignment with B Corp values and commitment to social and environmental responsibility.

Pay

$40–$50/hour, based on experience. Performance bonus opportunities.

Benefits

• Flexible remote/hybrid schedule.
• Potential for expanded hours and future full-time growth.
• Vacation and sick-time accrual.
• Collaborative, entrepreneurial environment.
• Opportunity to make a meaningful impact within a mission-driven B Corp organization.

Schedule

• 15–20 hours per week.
• Consistent weekly availability.
• Responsiveness to employee and leadership needs.
• Strong California employment law expertise.
• Hands-on, execution-oriented approach.
• Minimum one-year commitment.