Sr. HR Director

Vaxart•South San Francisco, CA

1d•Onsite

About The Position

Vaxart is a clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on developing oral recombinant vaccines using its proprietary delivery platform. These vaccines are designed as pills that can be stored and shipped without refrigeration, eliminating needle-stick injury risks. Vaxart's platform is being used to develop oral versions of existing vaccines and new recombinant vaccines for indications such as coronavirus, norovirus, influenza, and a therapeutic vaccine for human papillomavirus (HPV). The company holds extensive patent applications for its oral vaccination technology. Vaxart is seeking a Sr. HR Director to join its South San Francisco team. This is a part-time, onsite position reporting directly to the Sr. Vice President (SVP) of HR. The Senior Human Resources Director will collaborate with cross-functional leadership, lead project planning and execution, and contribute significantly to the HR function's overall success. Key responsibilities include overseeing compensation, benefits, talent development, compliance, and employee relations. The role also serves as a trusted advisor and subject matter expert for Vaxart’s management team and cross-functional leaders, and will assume leadership responsibilities in the SVP of HR's absence. This part-time role (20 hours/week) is based at Vaxart’s corporate headquarters in South San Francisco.

Requirements

Accustomed to working in a fast-changing and dynamic environment where accountability, change agility, urgency and responsiveness are valued.
Comfortable operating in ambiguous, fast-changing environments.
Excellent consulting, influencing, change management and interpersonal communication skills
Effective communication and influencing skills with the ability to partner across levels of the organization.
Ability to coach executives, managers and employees in sensitive situations
Expertise in employee relations, HR operations, and organizational development.
Familiarity with current HR trends, best practices, and emerging technologies
Flexibility and adaptability to manage multiple tasks and changing priorities.
Strong analytical and critical thinking skills with ability to leverage data insights.
Proven experience identifying and leading through change, and building this capability in others
Excellent interpersonal, written and verbal communication skills; demonstrated ability to connect, support, and empathize with a variety of people and perspectives.
Demonstrates the utmost discretion, judgment, integrity, including the ability to manage sensitive and confidential information.
Ability to build and maintain positive relationships with employees at all levels.
Excellent project management skills, including planning, organizing, and prioritizing tasks.
Demonstrated success implementing organizational change initiatives and transformation programs that drive business results
Strong business acumen with ability to translate business strategy into effective people strategies.
Excellent consulting and influencing skills with proven ability to build credibility as a trusted advisor to senior leaders
Deep knowledge of HR practices including talent management, organizational development, compensation, and employee relations
Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or related field, or equivalent years of experience in Human Resources.
15 + years of experience in human resources, with at least 5 years of people management experience.
Experience supporting scientific, technical, or clinical teams within biotechnology, pharmaceutical, or related research-driven organizations is required.
Must be well-versed in California and Federal employment law.
Proven ability to influence at all levels of an organization with strong executive presence, communication, and relationship-building skills.
Strong business acumen with the ability to understand financial, operational, and talent implications of business decisions.
Ability to maintain strict levels of confidentiality in handling sensitive information and use sound judgement.
Proven organizational skills with strong attention to detail and the ability to prioritize work.
Demonstrated experience supporting executive leaders in organizational design, leadership development, performance management, and change management.

Responsibilities

Oversees benefit programs, working in partnership with the SVP of HR to recommend and implement strategies and programs to ensure the organization’s competitive edge while managing spend.
Manages compensation analysis, HR frameworks and reporting, including but not limited to job analysis, job leveling, compensation structure, career path and market surveys.
Partners closely with leadership to shape organizational structure, workforce planning, and process optimization that support company growth and clinical advancement. Leads organizational design & development initiatives that align talent capabilities with strategic priorities.
Lead core Human Resources processes, including onboarding and offboarding programs, internal SOX compliance reporting and external reporting, work authorization and workers compensation program. Build efficient, scalable systems and continuously optimize workflows, policies, and infrastructure to improve effectiveness, accuracy, employee experience and audit readiness.
Ensure full compliance with federal, state, and local employment laws, as well as safety and regulatory requirements.
Maintain policies and practices that meet the standards of a biotechnology environment.
Maintains knowledge of trends, best practices, regulatory changes, and new technologies in human resources, talent management, and employment law.
In partnership with the SVP of HR and Legal, provides support and guidance to management, when complex, specialized, and sensitive questions and making or recommending appropriate pathways and/or decisions, which may be significantly complex.
Leads talent development, performance management, and performance review programs. Strengthens Vaxart’s high-performance culture grounded in the guiding principles, accountability and results.
Leads and supports HR initiatives and serves as a contact for executives, managers and employees.
Partners with senior and mid-level leadership to implement people strategies aligned with business goals.
Leads efforts to enhance leadership capability, team effectiveness, and employee performance.
Drives initiatives to improve employee engagement, communication, and cross-functional collaboration.
Coaches managers on effective people management and organizational best practices.