Director of Human Resources

Director of Human Resources & Training (Onsite - Huntington Beach, CA)



The Opportunity


A fast-growing, mission-driven specialty beverage / hospitality brand is seeking a Director of Human Resources & Training to lead enterprise People strategy across a multi-state, multi-unit operation (CA/NV/AZ). This is a high-impact leadership role for a strategic, hands-on HR executive who can translate culture into scalable systems-supporting growth, developing leaders, and building an exceptional team member experience.
Work Location: Onsite at the Huntington Beach corporate office (with occasional visits to different locations)
Travel: Approximately 10-15% based on business needs (training, investigations, openings)
Compensation: $130,000-$140,000 base

What You'll Lead



1) People Strategy & Organizational Leadership

• Build and execute a multi-year People roadmap aligned to growth and expansion
• Partner with executive leaders on workforce planning, org design, and succession strategy
• Drive culture stewardship, leadership capability, and change management
• Scale HR and training systems that support multi-state growth
• Lead, mentor, and develop HR/Training leadership; strengthen internal pipelines
  
  

2) HR Operations, Compliance & Risk

• Ensure strong multi-state compliance (CA/NV/AZ) with audit-ready processes
• Proactively mitigate risk across wage & hour, ADA/FEHA, investigations, workers' comp, and employee relations
• Own policy governance (handbook, SOPs, People practices) with a best-in-class approach
• Lead complex investigations and sensitive ER matters with sound judgment and consistency
  
  

3) Leadership Development & Talent Strategy

• Design scalable leadership development for supervisors through senior field leaders
• Guide talent acquisition strategy for corporate roles and senior field leadership
• Elevate onboarding, performance management, engagement, and retention programs
• Build succession plans that strengthen the leadership bench across regions
• Champion DEIB practices embedded into leadership and talent programs
  
  

4) Total Rewards (Comp & Benefits)

• Shape total rewards philosophy: compensation structures, incentive plans, bonus programs
• Partner with Finance to align pay strategy with growth and equity goals
• Oversee benefits strategy, broker relationships, and cost management
• Provide executive-level reporting on labor strategy, workforce trends, and retention analytics
  
  

5) People Analytics, Systems & Cross-Functional Partnership

• Use HR data, automation, and AI-enabled tools to improve insight and efficiency
• Establish People dashboards/KPIs and translate trends into leadership recommendations
• Optimize HRIS/LMS systems for scale and user experience
  
  

What We're Looking For

• 8-10 years of progressive HR leadership, including senior-level oversight in a multi-unit and/or multi-state environment
• Proven success building/modernizing HR infrastructure in a growth company
• Deep expertise in California labor law (NV/AZ experience strongly preferred)
• Strong executive presence with the ability to influence and drive change
• Experience leading both HR and Learning/Training functions
• Strong analytical orientation; comfort using HRIS data for strategic decision-making
• SHRM-SCP or SPHR preferred
• Bachelor's required; Master's in HR/Business/OD strongly preferred
• Hospitality, retail, or food & beverage experience highly preferred
  

Determining compensation for this role (and others) at Vaco/Highspring depends upon a wide array of factors including but not limited to the individual's skill sets, experience and training, licensure and certifications, office location and other geographic considerations, as well as other business and organizational needs. With that said, as required by local law in geographies that require salary range disclosure, Vaco/Highspring notes the salary range for the role is noted in this job posting. The individual may also be eligible for discretionary bonuses, and can participate in medical, dental, and vision benefits as well as the company's 401(k) retirement plan. Additional disclaimer: Unless otherwise noted in the job description, the position Vaco/Highspring is filing for is occupied. Please note, however, that Vaco/Highspring is regularly asked to provide talent to other organizations. By submitting to this position, you are agreeing to be included in our talent pool for future hiring for similarly qualified positions. Submissions to this position are subject to the use of AI to perform preliminary candidate screenings, focused on ensuring minimum job requirements noted in the position are satisfied. Further assessment of candidates beyond this initial phase within Vaco/Highspring will be otherwise assessed by recruiters and hiring managers. Vaco/Highspring does not have knowledge of the tools used by its clients in making final hiring decisions and cannot opine on their use of AI products.
Equal Opportunity Notice

Highspring LLC (d/b/a Vaco by Highspring) and its parents, affiliates, and subsidiaries ("we," "our," or "Vaco by Highspring") are committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals and does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race (including but not limited to traits historically associated with race such as hair texture and hair style), color, sex (includes pregnancy or related conditions), religion or creed, national origin, citizenship, age, disability, status as a veteran, union membership, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, marital status, political affiliation, or any other protected characteristics as required by applicable law. The company is also committed to ensuring that persons who need them are provided with reasonable accommodations; if an accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, please contact HR@vaco.com .

Vaco by Highspring also wants all applicants to know their rights that workplace discrimination is illegal.

Representation Notice

By submitting to this position, you agree that you will be giving Vaco by Highspring the exclusive right to present your as a candidate for the foregoing employment opportunity. Additionally, you agree to be included in our talent pool for future hiring for similarly qualified positions. You further agree that you have represented information about yourself accurately and have not affirmatively misrepresented your qualifications. Lastly, you agree to maintain as confidential, to the fullest extent permitted by law, any information you learn from Vaco by Highspring about the position and you will limit disclosure of information about the position only to the extent necessary to perform any obligations in furtherance of your application. In exchange, Vaco by Highspring agrees to exercise reasonable efforts to represent you through all solicitation, job screening and resume dispersal.

For residents of Ontario, Canada only: to the extent the position for employment is not with Highspring or not otherwise noted as vacant above, candidate should be informed that this role is to replace a presently employed person at Vaco by Highspring's client.

Privacy Notice

Vaco by Highspring respects your privacy and are committed to providing transparent notice of our policies.

• California residents may access Vaco by Highspring HR Notice at Collection for California Applicants and Employees here.


• Virginia residents may access our state specific policies here.


• Residents of all other states may access our policies here.


• Canadian residents may access our policies in English here and in French here.


• Residents of countries governed by GDPR and UK GDPR may access our policies here.

Additionally, submissions to this position are subject to the use of AI to perform preliminary candidate screenings, focused on ensuring minimum job requirements noted in the position are satisfied. More details about Vaco by Highspring's use of AI can be found here (https://www.highspring.com/ai-use-notices/). Further assessment of candidates beyond this initial phase will be conducted by recruiters and hiring managers. Vaco by Highspring does not know and cannot opine on if its client's use of AI products in hiring.

Pay Transparency Notice

Determining compensation for this role (and others) at Vaco by Highspring depends upon a wide array of factors including but not limited to:

· the individual's skill sets, experience and training;

· licensure and certification requirements;

· office location and other geographic considerations; and

· other business and organizational needs.

With that said, as required by local law, Vaco by Highspring believes that the following salary range referenced above reasonably estimates the base compensation for an individual hired into this position in geographies that require salary range disclosure. The individual may also be eligible for discretionary bonuses and/or participation in medical, dental, and vision benefits as well as the company's retirement plan (or similar retirement benefits).