Company Overview:

Our client is a rapidly growing, venture-backed start-up focused on unlocking the conversion of gasoline vehicles to electric using their technology and scale. They are a team of marketing folks, technicians, software developers, mechanical engineers, designers, painters, and car lovers. A love for the torque provided by electric motors runs deep, but they also appreciate the nostalgia of vintage cars on the road.

Our client strives to create a meaningful workplace, which holds a different significance for each team member. For some, it’s getting these immortal vehicles on the road. For others, it’s about contributing a portion of revenue from every vehicle sold to the local community. And for many, it’s the inclusive work environment they’ve established.

The cars they produce create joyful experiences for customers and immense pride for the team. If you can match their passion, values, and work ethic, they want you!
• *This role is located on Mare Island, Vallejo, M-F. Potential 3 days hybrid after 6 months.

Position Summary

As the HR Director and the company's first Head of Human Resources, you will be responsible for building out the HR infrastructure and fostering a healthy, values-based work culture while defining the long-term people strategy. You will lead organizational design, talent management, compensation, culture and engagement, compliance, policy creation/implementation, and safety. Additionally, you will work closely with management to resolve employee relations issues, support growth, and drive increased engagement. This is an onsite role, reporting to the CEO, and partnering with the HR Strategic Consultant. You will oversee the People Operations Specialist and the Office Operations Specialist.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

The essential functions include, but are not limited to, the following:
• Act as a trusted advisor to the leadership team, strengthening cross-functional collaboration, team effectiveness, and ensuring the company’s values are embodied in daily interactions.
• Demonstrate a deep understanding of the company’s purpose and growth strategy, creating a People strategy to scale the business and drive employee engagement, retention, and performance.
• Implement talent management processes, covering talent acquisition, goal-setting, performance feedback, and succession planning.
• Drive compensation planning and consistently manage mid-year compensation changes.
• Provide balanced leadership as both a management member and employee advocate, helping resolve systemic issues with fair and consistent practices.
• Build strong relationships at all levels of the business to address issues at the individual, team, or company level.
• Coach leaders on employee relations and performance management while providing guidance on career development and progressive discipline.
• Collaborate closely with the People Operations Specialist on culture and workplace practice development.
• Lead processes to ensure team members feel engaged, listened to, recognized, and challenged in their work.
• Anticipate potential issues and proactively address them.
• Provide mentorship and coaching to the People team.
• Offer support in areas like payroll, legal compliance, workers’ compensation, benefits, and document management.

Minimum Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities)
• 7-10 years of progressive HR generalist experience.
• Prior experience implementing HR strategies in a startup environment.
• Prior experience managing people and projects in a manufacturing environment.
• Passion for building new brands and reinforcing company culture.
• Ability to earn trust from leaders and employees from diverse backgrounds.
• Willingness to roll up your sleeves and tackle any challenge.
• Ability to identify leadership blind spots and influence improved outcomes.
• Optimistic, energetic, and solution-oriented approach to daily activities.
• Strong communication skills across all levels of the organization.
• Collaborative mindset with proactive business partnering for results.
• Knowledge of Federal and California employment law (CA/Fed leaves, Workers’ Comp, ADA, EEO, FLSA, etc.).

Desired Skills
• Bilingual in Spanish and English.
• Passion for or experience in the Motor Vehicle or EV Manufacturing industries.
• Passion for engaging employees at all levels to drive business results.

Physical Demands and Work Environment

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to perform the essential functions of this position successfully. Reasonable accommodations may be made for individuals with disabilities.
• Walking, sitting, standing, bending, and stooping.
• Lifting, carrying, or pushing/pulling items weighing up to 40 pounds.
• Working in a clean and well-organized unconditioned shop environment.
• The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate but may require ear protection, eye protection, or occasional use of a respirator.