People & Culture Director

Essential Oxygen • Novato, CA

23h • $40 - $50 • Remote

About The Position

Essential Oxygen is seeking a People & Culture Director to build and lead our people function during an exciting stage of growth. This role is ideal for someone who enjoys both strategic thinking and hands-on execution within an entrepreneurial environment. Reporting directly to the executive leadership team, this individual will oversee all aspects of the employee lifecycle, including talent acquisition, onboarding, employee relations, performance management, compliance, organizational development, and culture initiatives. As a small but growing company, this role requires a highly proactive leader who can seamlessly move between strategic planning and day-to-day HR operations. The successful candidate will create scalable people processes while serving as a trusted advisor to leadership and a responsive resource for employees. This role requires: Consistent weekly availability of approximately 15–20 hours per week, Responsiveness to employee and leadership needs, Strong California employment law expertise, A hands-on, execution-oriented mindset, Genuine alignment with Essential Oxygen's mission and B Corp values. Because this role will be building foundational people programs and supporting an evolving organization, we are seeking someone interested in a long-term partnership of at least one year.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or related field
• Minimum 5–7 years of progressive HR experience, including leadership responsibilities
• Strong experience supporting small businesses, entrepreneurial companies, or high-growth organizations
• Deep expertise in California employment law and HR compliance
• Demonstrated experience building HR programs and processes from the ground up
• Intention to remain in the position for a minimum of one year, given the foundational nature of this role
• Must be a California resident (Bay Area preferred)

Nice To Haves

• SHRM-CP, SHRM-SCP, PHR, or SPHR certification strongly preferred
• Experience supporting consumer products, manufacturing, distribution, or operational environments
• Experience working with remote and warehouse-based teams
• Experience partnering directly with founders and executive leadership teams
• Experience with HRIS systems, preferably BambooHR
• Highly responsive and dependable
• Strong business judgment and discretion
• Comfortable operating independently with minimal oversight
• Confident communicator who can provide candid guidance to leadership
• Strong organizational skills and ability to manage multiple priorities
• Hands-on, practical, and solutions-oriented
• Passion for mission-driven businesses and sustainability
• Genuine alignment with B-Corp values — a commitment to social and environmental responsibility and to using business as a force for good

Responsibilities

• Partner with executive leadership on workforce planning and organizational design
• Develop and implement people strategies that support company growth
• Advise leadership on employee engagement, retention, succession planning, and change management
• Establish scalable HR programs and infrastructure appropriate for a growing organization
• Lead recruiting efforts for all positions across the organization
• Develop job descriptions, interview processes, compensation recommendations, and onboarding programs
• Ensure new employees are effectively integrated into the organization and culture
• Serve as a trusted advisor to managers and employees on personnel matters
• Provide coaching and guidance regarding employee relations issues, performance concerns, feedback conversations, and conflict resolution
• Develop and administer performance management processes, goal setting, and professional development initiatives
• Own and maintain HR policies, employee handbook, SOPs, and employee documentation
• Administer benefits, leave management, workers' compensation, and employee records
• Ensure compliance with California employment laws and regulations, including wage and hour requirements, paid leave laws, workplace violence prevention requirements, and other evolving employment obligations
• Partner with outside legal counsel and external HR resources as necessary
• Champion Essential Oxygen's values and B Corp mission
• Develop initiatives that support employee engagement, communication, recognition, and overall employee experience
• Help cultivate a culture rooted in accountability, collaboration, transparency, and continuous improvement
• Manage BambooHR and related HR systems
• Maintain employee files, reporting, and compliance documentation
• Develop HR metrics and reporting to support leadership decision-making

Benefits

• Opportunity to make meaningful impact within a mission-driven B Corp organization
• Flexible remote/hybrid schedule
• Potential for expanded hours and future full-time growth
• Performance bonus opportunities
• Vacation and sick-time accrual
• Collaborative, entrepreneurial environment where your contributions directly shape company culture and success

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Part-time
• Career Level: Director