Director, People Programs/Human Resources

VERVE•Los Angeles, CA

3d•Onsite

About The Position

Verve is a premier talent agency representing some of the most sought-after storytellers in film, television, publishing, and digital. This role is both a strategic partner to the C-suite and a hands-on executor of day-to-day people operations, from the moment someone applies to the moment they move on. The Director of People will bring structure, sound judgment, and a genuine point of view on how a culture-forward agency attracts, develops, and keeps great people.

Requirements

4+ years of progressive HR experience, including 2+ years in a senior manager or director-level role
Strong command of HR fundamentals: employee relations, compliance, talent management
Proven ability to handle sensitive, complex ER matters with excellent judgment and discretion
Deep knowledge of California employment law
Strong interpersonal and communication skills across all levels of an org
Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience

Nice To Haves

Experience in entertainment, media, talent representation, or a closely related creative industry
Familiarity with the culture and dynamics of talent agencies, studios, networks, or production companies
A track record of building culture programs people actually look forward to - not just events, but moments that reinforce how the team sees itself
Hands-on mindset: comfortable being both strategic advisor and day-to-day executor
Experience scaling HR in a high-growth or fast-paced environment
Paylocity or comparable HRIS experience

Responsibilities

Partner with the C-suite on org design, workforce planning, and senior people decisions.
Champion DEIB initiatives agency-wide.
Own end-to-end hiring across assistants and support staff, including onboarding, performance review cycles, succession planning, peer recognition, and year-end planning.
Build career paths and retention strategies tailored to entertainment.
Lead all ER matters, including performance management, conflict resolution, investigations, and disciplinary actions, with empathy and compliance.
Navigate the distinct dynamics of a talent agency environment with professionalism and discretion.
Model and reinforce Verve's values through programming that makes this a place people are proud to work, including team rituals, milestone moments, DEIB initiatives, and internal events.
Own HR policies, employee handbook, compensation, benefits, payroll, and HR systems.
Ensure full compliance with California labor law and federal and local requirements.
Partner with external legal counsel on employment matters as needed.
Lead the people side of growth, restructuring, and operational change.
Use data and employee feedback to improve programs continuously.
Scale HR infrastructure to keep pace with an ambitious, fast-moving agency.
Experience building L&D programs, leadership development, or skills frameworks tailored to creative or entertainment environments.