The Director, People is a player/coach leader who runs the People function at Obsidian Security - operations, benefits, programs, compliance, and onboarding/offboarding - while managing and developing the People Operations Manager and People Generalist. The Director also personally owns HR Business Partner (HRBP) responsibilities for a select client group, advising that group's leaders on talent strategy, employee relations, and organizational effectiveness. Reporting to the VP/Head of People, the Director balances team leadership with hands-on execution to keep the People function running smoothly.
Key Responsibilities
Team Leadership
Manage, coach, and develop the People Operations Manager and People Generalist, setting priorities, quality standards, and growth plans for the team
People Operations & Systems
Own day-to-day HRIS operations and the employee lifecycle (status changes, promotions, transfers, terminations), ensuring accurate, timely data
Partner with Finance/Payroll on accurate, timely payroll processing and reconciliation
Build/track People metrics (headcount, turnover, time-to-fill, engagement) and continuously improve processes and tools
Benefits Administration
Own employee benefits programs - plan design, negotiations, administration, and annual open enrollment/renewal - ensuring accuracy and compliance
Benchmark offerings against market data and recommend enhancements that support attraction and retention
People Programs
Lead core People programs - performance management, engagement surveys, recognition, and career/learning development
Support compensation cycles (merit, bonus, equity refresh) and drive engagement initiatives that build a strong, values-aligned culture
Compliance
Ensure People policies, recordkeeping, and practices comply with employment law (FLSA, FMLA, ADA, EEO, leave laws); own the employee handbook
Manage compliance filings and audits (EEO-1, ACA, workers' comp, I-9) and advise leadership on regulatory changes
Onboarding & Offboarding
Manage end-to-end onboarding and offboarding, driving enhancements to elevate and scale the programs
People Business Partnership (Select Client Group)
Own the HRBP relationship for an assigned client group as its primary People point of contact and trusted advisor
Partner with the group's leaders on org design, workforce planning, and talent reviews
Coach managers and employees through performance management, employee relations, and conflict resolution, translating business priorities into tailored People strategy
Qualifications
8+ years of progressive People experience, including generalist/HRBP work and ownership of operations, benefits, and compliance
2+ years directly managing and developing People team members
Working knowledge of multi-state employment law; experience with HRIS platforms (e.g., Rippling, Workday, ADP) and comfort with People data
Demonstrated success managing benefits programs and vendor relationships
Strong track record as a credible, trusted business partner to leaders
Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business, or related field; SHRM-CP/SCP or PHR/SPHR preferred
Numbers & Facts
Location
Palo Alto, CA
Skills
ADPunmatched
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)unmatched
Auditingunmatched
Benchmarkingunmatched
Career Developmentunmatched
Coachingunmatched
Compensation and Benefitsunmatched
Conflict Resolutionunmatched
Continuous Improvementunmatched
EEO Regulationsunmatched
Employee Benefitsunmatched
Employee Relationsunmatched
Employment Lawunmatched
Establish Prioritiesunmatched
FMLA (Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993)unmatched
Financeunmatched
HRIS/HRMSunmatched
Human Resourcesunmatched
Leadershipunmatched
Maintain Complianceunmatched
Metricsunmatched
Negotiation Skillsunmatched
Onboardingunmatched
Operations Managementunmatched
Organizational Development/Managementunmatched
PHR (Professional in Human Resources)unmatched
Payroll Administrationunmatched
People Managementunmatched
Performance Managementunmatched
Process Improvementunmatched
Program Planningunmatched
Project/Program Managementunmatched
Quality Metricsunmatched
Reconciliationunmatched
Regulationsunmatched
SPHR (Senior Professional in Human Resources)unmatched
Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM)unmatched
State Laws and Regulationsunmatched
Team Lead/Managerunmatched
Time Managementunmatched
Vendor/Supplier Relationsunmatched
Worker's Compensationunmatched
Workforce Planningunmatched
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