Director, Human Resources

Versant Media; California (MO); Hybrid; USD 130,000 - 165,000; Full time

Job summary

Versant Media seeks a Director of Human Resources to join the Corporate HR team in Universal City, CA. You will partner with executives to translate business priorities into forward-looking people strategies across organizational design, talent and succession planning, workforce planning, engagement, and change management.

You will collaborate with HR Centers of Excellence and mentor an HR Coordinator, while aligning HR programs with Versant's growth and transformation.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of progressive HR experience including HRBP work with senior leaders.
• Experience advising executives on organizational design and talent management.
• Strong business acumen and ability to translate objectives into people strategy.
• Experience guiding teams through transformation, ambiguity, and growth.
• Strong analytical capabilities using workforce data to support decisions.

Responsibilities

• Serve as strategic HR partner to senior leaders, aligning talent and workforce strategies with business goals.
• Advise executives on organizational design, leadership effectiveness, and employee relations.
• Lead talent reviews, succession planning, workforce planning, and performance calibration.
• Collaborate with HR Centers of Excellence to attract talent and deliver integrated solutions.
• Use analytics to identify trends, inform decisions, and evaluate HR program impact.
• Develop and coach an HR Coordinator while promoting responsive service and operational excellence.

Skills

Strategic planning

Leadership coaching

Employee relations

Workforce analytics

Change management

Executive coaching

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent

Tools

Microsoft Office

HRIS systems

Job description

Company Description

VERSANT (Nasdaq: VSNT) is an industry-changing media and entertainment business and home to trusted brands that shape culture, inform audiences, and build lasting connections. It operates across four core markets: political news and opinion, business news and personal finance, golf, and sports and genre entertainment. These markets are served through a powerful portfolio of iconic and innovative brands, including CNBC, MS NOW, USA Network, Golf Channel, Oxygen, E!, SYFY, and Versant's sports division USA Sports, along with complementary digital assets including Fandango, Rotten Tomatoes, GolfNow and GolfPass.

Job Description

The Opportunity

VERSANT is seeking an experienced Director, Human Resources to join our Corporate Human Resources team. Reporting jointly to the SVP, Human Resources, Corporate and the SVP, Human Resources, Digital Platforms & Ventures, you will serve as the senior-most HR leader based at Universal City, California and as a strategic partner to leaders across Entertainment and Digital Platforms & Ventures.

The Entertainment portfolio includes brands such as USA Network, SYFY, Oxygen, and E!, which deliver content and experiences that shape culture and connect with millions of viewers. Within Digital Platforms & Ventures, you will support Fandango, a digital entertainment platform that helps audiences discover, access, and experience movies and streaming entertainment.

In this role, you will partner with senior leaders to translate business priorities into forward-looking people strategies. You will lead work across organizational design, leadership coaching, talent and succession planning, workforce planning, employee engagement, change management, employee relations, and performance strategy. You will also collaborate with HR Centers of Excellence to deliver integrated, business-focused solutions and provide day‑to‑day leadership and development for an HR Coordinator.

Why This Role Matters

As the senior HR leader based at the Versant Universal City, you will play a critical role in building the organizational capabilities, leadership practices, and employee experience needed to support Versant's continued growth and transformation. Your work will help leaders make informed people decisions, strengthen high‑performing teams, and create scalable approaches that advance both business priorities and employee success.

This position has been designated as hybrid, generally contributing from Universal City a minimum of three days per week. The role requires the ability to travel and work additional hours based on business needs.

What You’ll Do

• Serve as a strategic HR partner to senior leaders, aligning talent, organizational, and workforce strategies with business priorities and long‑term goals.
• Advise and coach executives on organizational design, leadership effectiveness, employee relations, performance management, and complex people decisions.
• Lead talent reviews, succession planning, workforce planning, performance calibration, and organizational change initiatives that strengthen leadership pipelines and business readiness.
• Partner with Talent Acquisition, Compensation, Total Rewards, and other HR Centers of Excellence to attract talent, support compensation and promotion processes, and deliver integrated people solutions.
• Use workforce analytics, business insights, and sound judgment to identify trends, inform decisions, and evaluate the impact of HR programs and initiatives.
• Lead, coach, and develop an HR Coordinator while promoting responsive service, operational excellence, and a consistent employee experience.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications

• At least 10 years of progressive Human Resources experience, including experience as an HR Business Partner supporting senior business leaders.
• Demonstrated experience advising executives on organizational design, talent management, leadership coaching, employee relations, workforce planning, change management, and organizational effectiveness.
• Strong business acumen and the ability to translate business objectives into practical, scalable people strategies.
• Experience guiding leaders and teams through organizational transformation, ambiguity, and growth.
• Strong analytical capabilities, including experience using workforce data and insights to support decision‑making.
• Excellent consulting, coaching, communication, and influencing skills, with the ability to build credibility across levels and functions.
• Advanced proficiency with Microsoft Office, including Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook.
• A bachelor's degree or an equivalent combination of education and relevant professional experience.
• The ability to travel and work additional hours as business needs require.

How We Do It

You demonstrate Versant's "How We Do It" behaviors in the way you lead, partner, and deliver results:

• Trust: You act with sound judgment, consistency, discretion, and integrity when navigating sensitive business and employee matters.
• Teamwork: You build strong partnerships across business teams and HR Centers of Excellence to deliver coordinated, effective solutions.
• Transparency: You communicate clearly and directly, share relevant context, and help leaders and employees understand decisions and expectations.
• Agility: You adapt quickly to evolving business needs, manage competing priorities, and guide teams through change and ambiguity.
• Entrepreneurial Spirit: You identify opportunities, challenge established approaches thoughtfully, and build practical solutions that improve organizational performance and the employee experience.
• Accountability: You take ownership of your work, honor your commitments, and deliver results with excellence. You approach every decision with an owner's mindset and a shared responsibility for VERSANT's success.

Bonus Points

• Experience supporting media, entertainment, technology, or digital businesses.
• Experience working in a fast‑paced, matrixed, or high‑growth organization.
• Familiarity with HR technology and emerging AI‑enabled tools that enhance employee and manager experiences.
• Previous experience managing, coaching, or developing HR professionals.

Why You’ll Love It Here

At Versant, you will have the opportunity to help shape the future of an independent media and entertainment company with a portfolio of trusted brands. As the senior Human Resources leader based at the Universal City, you will partner directly with executives, influence organizational strategy, and help build the talent, culture, and leadership capabilities that support Versant’s next chapter.

The anticipated salary range for this position is $130,000 to $165,000, plus an annual bonus opportunity and eligibility for long‑term incentives. The salary offered will depend on relevant factors such as the candidate’s qualifications, experience, skills, and the needs of the business.

Versant offers a competitive total rewards package that includes medical, dental, and vision coverage; a 401(k); paid time off; tuition reimbursement; and a variety of employee programs and benefits.

Additional Information

As part of our selection process, external candidates may be required to attend an in-person interview with a VERSANT Media employee at one of our locations prior to a hiring decision. VERSANT Media's policy is to provide equal employment opportunities to all applicants and employees without regard to race, color, religion, creed, gender, gender identity or expression, age, national origin or ancestry, citizenship, disability, sexual orientation, marital status, pregnancy, veteran status, membership in the uniformed services, genetic information, or any other basis protected by applicable law.

For LA County and City Residents Only: VERSANT Media will consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories, or arrest or conviction records, in a manner consistent with relevant legal requirements, including the City of Los Angeles' Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance, the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers, and the California Fair Chance Act, where applicable.

If you are a qualified individual with a disability or a disabled veteran and require support throughout the application and/or recruitment process as