Director of People Services

Golden Hippo•Los Angeles, CA

2d•Hybrid

About The Position

We’re an employee-owned, vertically-integrated builder of some of America’s most popular health & wellness brands. With over 1,400 team members across multiple companies, we create best-in-class products that help make the world healthier and happier. Our creative content educates the world on making smarter health choices, while the brands we own generate over $1 billion of revenue annually. Learn more about our brands. We are looking for a service-driven Director, People Services to lead our Payroll, Benefits, HRIS, and Compensation functions and help shape an exceptional employee experience. This is a high-impact leadership role for someone who is passionate about building efficient, scalable operations while delivering thoughtful, responsive, and people-centered support. In this role, you will lead and develop a People Services team and oversee the core programs that directly impact every employee. You will ensure our payroll and benefits are administered with accuracy and care, our systems enable efficiency and insight, and our compensation programs support fairness and competitiveness. Just as importantly, you will champion a customer service–oriented philosophy, fostering a culture where employees feel supported, respected, and confident in the services provided. You’ll partner closely with HR, Finance, Talent Acquisition, and business leaders to continuously improve processes, strengthen our infrastructure, and align People Services with the evolving needs of the organization. This is an opportunity to bring both strategic vision and operational excellence to a function that is essential to our company’s success and employee trust. We’re looking for a leader who takes pride in building high-performing teams, elevating service standards, and creating systems and experiences that scale with growth. If you’re energized by improving how things work, supporting people at every stage of their journey, and making a meaningful impact across an organization, we’d love to meet you.

Requirements

Strong operational leadership and people management skills, with proven ability to lead and develop Payroll, Benefits, Compensation, and HRIS employees.
Strategic thinking with the ability to influence and advise business leaders.
In-depth knowledge of payroll regulations, compliance requirements, and tax laws.
Well-versed in Benefits, HRIS, and Compensation programs.
Detail-oriented with excellent analytical, problem-solving, and organizational skills.
Excellent communication, collaboration, and customer service skills, including working effectively with HRBP and TA teams.
Ability to manage multiple projects and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
Commitment to high standards, accountability, and continuous improvement.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, including Excel and Word, and comfort working with HRIS systems and data reporting tools.
7+ years of Payroll experience, with a strong background in multi-state payroll processing.
7+ years managing HR operations, payroll, benefits, or People Services functions.
Experience managing a team, vendors, and cross-functional HR projects.
Knowledge of payroll, HRIS, benefits, and compensation compliance and best practices.
Experience collaborating with HRBP and Talent Acquisition teams on employee lifecycle initiatives.
Experience with process improvement and operational efficiency.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s in Finance, HR, Business, or related field; advanced degree or HR certifications a plus

Responsibilities

Design and execute an ongoing total rewards strategy to support and sustain a high-performing culture that attracts, motivates, retains, and rewards employees.
Partner with business leaders, TA, and HRBP teams to analyze and make strategic compensation and benefits recommendations that support competitive hiring, internal equity, and retention.
Lead the design, administration, and continuous improvement of benefits programs, including health, retirement, life, disability, flexible spending accounts, PTO, and voluntary plans.
Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local regulations (FLSA, ERISA, ACA, HIPAA) and stay ahead of legislative changes to mitigate risk and advise leadership.
Own change management for new or updated compensation, benefits, and HR operational programs, ensuring alignment, clarity, and engagement across the organization.
Lead all incentive programs, including KPI-driven, bonus, ESOP, and SARs plans, ensuring proper governance, communication, and compliance.
Oversee benefits open enrollment, new hire enrollment, and annual audits; ensure accuracy, compliance, and a positive employee experience.
Develop and enforce high standards for People Services operations, including vendor management, documentation, process consistency, and compliance.
Continuously evaluate internal equity, program effectiveness, and ROI for all total rewards initiatives; recommend improvements to drive a high-performing culture.
Supervise the Senior Manager of Benefits and ensure operational efficiency.
Design, evolve, and manage all aspects of compensation, including salary structures, job classifications, merit processes, promotions, salary budgeting, and market benchmarking.
Manage compensation administration, including salary structures, job classifications, merit processes, and market benchmarking.
Support internal equity reviews and ensure compensation programs remain competitive and compliant.
Partner with TA and HRBP teams to provide input on offers, internal promotions, and career progression.
Manage equity-based programs (SARs and ESOP) as well as short time incentive programs, ensuring they align with corporate objectives and reward performance.
Lead the Payroll team to ensure accurate, compliant, and timely operations across all employees.
Manage HRIS configuration, reporting, and system improvements to support operational efficiency and strategic decision-making.
Build a metrics-driven culture within the People Services team, developing dashboards, KPIs, and quarterly reports for HR leadership and business partners.
Continuously evaluate HR processes, technology, and analytics to identify opportunities for streamlining, improving accuracy, and supporting strategic objectives.
Ensure all payroll, HRIS, benefits, and compensation processes comply with federal and state regulations (FLSA, ERISA, ACA, HIPAA, etc.).
Manage vendor relationships for payroll, benefits, HRIS, retirement, and other HR services.
Provide reporting, metrics, and analysis to support HR leadership, HRBP, and TA teams in decision-making and workforce planning.
Lead, mentor, and coach People Services team members to maintain high competency and adherence to best practices across HR operations, total rewards, payroll, HRIS, and data analytics.
Establish and enforce high standards of quality, compliance, and timeliness across all functions.
Promote a culture of continuous improvement, collaboration, and accountability across the People Services team.

Benefits

Comprehensive healthcare coverage – We cover 100% of premiums for medical, dental, and vision plans for employee-only plans.
Through our charity sponsorships, you can make a positive impact on communities worldwide. We’ve donated over $9 million to date.
We match up to 3.5% of your 401k contributions, ensuring your retirement savings grow alongside your career.
6 paid sick and mental health days, an Employee Assistance Program, free weekly yoga and meditation classes, and additional mental health benefits, because we take a holistic approach to your well-being.
Invest in your future with our Employee Stock Ownership Plan, where company contributions fund your retirement plan with company stock.
Professional development opportunities with mentorship, continuous learning programs, and performance-based pay increases, empowering you to progress and excel in your career.
Tuition reimbursement program, which reimburses eligible tuition expenses up to specified amounts, empowering you to invest in your ongoing growth and development.
Work towards our collective goals and earn up to 2 extra weeks of pay each month, based on the achievement of KPIs.
Celebrate your accomplishments with our Win of the Week, Spot Bonus, Work Anniversary, and Shout-Outs programs, where your hard work is not only valued but also acknowledged and rewarded.
Reimbursements for a portion of personal cell phone and internet usage for eligible employees.
For those coming into our Woodland Hills, CA office, you’ll find a fully stocked kitchen and a free on-site gym.
Virtual and in-person company events, like our annual holiday party, happy hours, and virtual cooking nights, designed to cultivate connections and enhance work-life balance.