JOB DESCRIPTION
Director of People and Culture
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Department: Human Resources Reports to: CEO
Position Type: Company Employee Status: Exempt, Full-Time
Overview:
The Director of People & Culture leads Sender One's people strategy by attracting, developing, and retaining exceptional people while fostering a high-performing culture. This role oversees all aspects of Human Resources, including talent acquisition, employee development, employee relations, total rewards, HR operations, compliance, and employee engagement. As Sender One's culture champion, this leader ensures every employee, regardless of location or role, experiences a workplace rooted in our core values, growth, accountability, inclusion, and exceptional service.
As a strategic partner to the CEO and leadership team, the Director of People & Culture aligns people strategy with business goals and builds the systems and organizational capabilities needed to support Sender One's continued growth.
This is an on-site leadership role requiring regular presence across all gym locations.
Responsibilities:
- Build for Growth: Develop and execute scalable people strategies, organizational structures, workforce planning, and HR systems that support Sender One's continued growth. Anticipate future talent needs and build the organizational capabilities required as the company expands.
- Partner with Leadership: Serve as a trusted advisor to the CEO and leadership team on organizational design, workforce planning, leadership effectiveness, change management, employee relations, and people strategy. Coach managers to strengthen leadership skills, accountability, communication, and team performance.
- Lead the People Function: Lead all Human Resources functions while developing the HR team and continuously improving HR processes, policies, and systems. Manage external HR consultants, legal counsel, benefits brokers, and compliance partners to ensure best practices and effective risk management.
- Shape Culture & Employee Experience: Champion Sender One's culture by creating an exceptional employee experience from recruitment through career development. Foster engagement, recognition, communication, inclusion, and alignment with our purpose and core values across every location and department.
- Develop Leaders: Design and lead Sender One's leadership development strategy by equipping managers with the skills, tools, coaching, and feedback needed to build high-performing teams. Foster a culture of accountability, continuous learning, professional growth, and leadership excellence throughout the organization.
- Attract & Develop Talent: Lead talent acquisition, onboarding, succession planning, performance management, and career development programs that attract, retain, and grow exceptional people while building a strong pipeline of future leaders.
- Oversee Total Rewards & HR Operations: Design and oversee compensation, benefits, HR systems, employment policies, compliance, employee records, and HR operations. Ensure operational excellence while maintaining compliance with all applicable federal, state, and local employment laws.
Who You Are:
- Visible leader who enjoys spending time in the gyms, building relationships with staff, understanding the business firsthand, and leading through presence rather than from behind a desk.
- Proven People leader with the ability to build high-performing teams, coach leaders, and create an environment where people are engaged, accountable, and able to do their best work.
- Strategic and operational thinker who can translate business goals into practical people strategies, systems, and organizational improvements that scale with growth.
- Trusted advisor who earns credibility through sound judgment, integrity, and thoughtful partnership with executives, managers, and staff.
- Strong communicator who sets clear expectations, delivers candid feedback with empathy, and confidently navigates difficult conversations.
- High emotional intelligence with exceptional listening skills and the ability to understand multiple perspectives while making balanced, people-centered decisions.
- Results-oriented leader who is comfortable using data, metrics, and business insights to drive decisions while never losing sight of the employee experience.
- Builder by nature—someone who enjoys creating processes, improving systems, and bringing structure and clarity to fast-growing organizations.
- Comfortable balancing strategic leadership with hands-on execution, knowing when to lead from the boardroom and when to be present in the gyms supporting staff.
- Collaborative leader who works effectively across Operations, Marketing, Finance, Facilities, and Executive Leadership to solve problems and move initiatives forward.
- Resilient, adaptable, and calm under pressure, with the ability to lead organizations through growth, change, and evolving priorities.
- Passionate about creating exceptional workplace cultures and excited by Sender One's mission of helping people discover themselves and connect with others through climbing.
Experience:
- Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or related field.
- 7+ years of progressive Human Resources leadership experience.
- Experience supporting multi-site or multi-location operations preferred.
- Strong knowledge of California and Federal employment law.
- Experience leading recruiting, employee relations, performance management, compensation, and compliance.
- Demonstrated success building employee engagement and culture initiatives.
- Exceptional coaching, communication, and relationship-building skills.
- Ability to balance strategic thinking with hands-on execution.
- SHRM-SCP or SPHR certification preferred.
- Experience leading HR teams and managing external HR, legal, or compliance partners.
Time Commitment:
- 40–50 hours per week, including weekend availability for events, training, or site support.
- Occasional early mornings, evenings, or alternate shifts based on business needs.
- Required attendance at weekly Executive, Gyms, and cross-functional meetings.
- Required attendance at quarterly all-staff meetings.
- Required attendance at quarterly board meetings
- Work in person at gym locations at least 3 days per week, rotating across locations based on business needs.
- Expected to maintain a high level of visibility and connection with staff, members, and program participants.
Key Performance Indicators (KPIs):
- Staff NPS
- Employee Retention
- Training and Development Plans Completion Rates
Compensation:
- $100,000 to $125,000 + performance based bonuses
Pay: $100,000.00 - $125,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- 401(k) matching
- Dental insurance
- Employee assistance program
- Employee discount
- Flexible schedule
- Health insurance
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Parental leave
- Professional development assistance
- Retirement plan
- Vision insurance
Ability to Commute:
- Santa Ana, CA 92705 (Required)
Work Location: In person
