Director, People Team

This is a Full Time Job

Verve is seeking an experienced, hands-on Director of People to lead and scale our people operations while fostering a high-performing, inclusive, and culture-forward workplace. This role will serve as a strategic partner to leadership while remaining deeply involved in day-to-day HR execution. The ideal candidate brings strong HR fundamentals, sound judgment, and a collaborative, solutions-oriented approach, with experience supporting fast-paced, creative, or professional services organizations. Level (Manager vs. Director) will be determined based on experience and scope.

People Strategy & Leadership
Partner with the C-suite to develop and execute people strategies aligned with business goals and Verve's unique culture
Serve as a trusted advisor on organizational design, workforce planning, and senior people decisions
Champion diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging initiatives across the agency
Bring a point of view - not just process - to how Verve attracts, develops, and retains top talent

Employee Relations & Culture
Lead all ER matters - 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 cultural values; help build a respectful, high-performing, and inclusive workplace

Talent Management & Development
Oversee recruiting, onboarding, and retention across agents, executives, assistants, and support staff
Drive performance review cycles, succession planning, peer recognition, and year-end planning
Build career paths, learning opportunities, and leadership development programs tailored to entertainment

HR Operations & Compliance
Ensure full compliance with federal, state, and local employment laws - with deep emphasis on California labor law
Own HR policies, employee handbook, compensation, benefits, payroll, and HR systems (Paylocity a plus)
Partner with external legal counsel on employment matters as needed

Change Management & Scaling
Lead people-side change during periods of growth, restructuring, or operational evolution
Use data and employee feedback to continuously improve programs and processes
Scale HR infrastructure to meet the demands of a growing, ambitious agency

Requirements
Required:
Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience
5+ 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
Strong interpersonal and communication skills across all levels of an organization
Deep knowledge of California employment law

Strongly Preferred:
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
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

This is a full-time, in-person role located in Los Angeles, CA. Employment is contingent upon the candidate's eligibility to work in the United States in accordance with applicable law.