Director of People Operations

Innovative Outsourcing; Atlanta (GA); Hybrid; USD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Innovative Outsourcing, in partnership with a premier exterior express car wash client, seeks a Director of People Operations to lead HR, talent acquisition strategy, and culture.

You will build the People department from the ground up, align talent strategy with rapid expansion, ensure multi-state compliance, and work closely with the executive team. This is a hybrid role based in Northwest Georgia.

Qualifications

• 7+ years of progressive HR leadership with multi-site compliance and benefits administration.
• Experience in high-volume, multi-unit service industries (hospitality, restaurants, retail, or car washes).
• Tech-forward and adaptable; proficient with HR software and ATS.
• Strategic thinker with ability to build HR processes, policies, and talent programs.
• Location: onsite in Northwest Georgia with occasional travel.

Responsibilities

• Design and implement high-volume, multi-site talent acquisition strategies.
• Develop recruitment team and define headcount needs.
• Build foundational HR policies and compliant workflows across regions.
• Oversee benefits administration and annual open enrollment.
• Ensure multi-state employment compliance as the company grows.
• Partner with executive leaders on organizational design and culture.
• Plan for progression toward Chief People Officer within 5 years.

Skills

HR Leadership

Multi-site Compliance

Talent Acquisition Programs

High-volume Operations

Culture & Leadership

Tools

HRIS / ATS

Job description

Innovative Outsourcing, in partnership with a rapidly growing premier exterior express car wash client, is seeking an experienced, visionary, and hands-on Director of People Operations to lead human resources, talent acquisition strategy, and organizational culture.

Work Location

Hybrid - Headquartered in Northwest Georgia

Company Size

400+ employees across 30+ locations (rapidly growing)

About the Client

Our client is a premier, family-owned multi-unit business operating 30+ premier exterior express car wash locations across the region, with aggressive growth plans adding multiple new sites each year. Blending modern technology, high-touch customer experience, and an energetic executive leadership team, they are modernizing frontline service operations. The company fosters a collaborative, forward-thinking culture that values long-term commitment, innovation, and leadership development.

Position Overview

As the Director of People Operations, you will step onto a "blank canvas" to structure, build, and lead a dedicated People department from the ground up. Reporting directly to the executive leadership team (President, CFO, Chief of Staff, and COO), you will align talent strategy with business expansion, refine hiring frameworks, build compliance infrastructures, and elevate company culture. This role is tailored for a strategic HR leader who thrives in dynamic multi-unit environments, excels at talent selection, and is eager to build scalable HR foundations.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Talent Acquisition & Workforce Planning

• Design and execute high-volume, multi-site talent acquisition strategies that attract top-tier frontline, operational, and managerial talent.
• Enhance candidate screening processes to ensure alignment with company culture, values, and performance standards.
• Directly manage and build the recruitment team, supervising current Talent Acquisition specialists and adding key headcount as needed.

HR Operations, Compliance & Infrastructure

• Evaluate existing human resources systems to build foundational policies, standardized operational workflows, and robust regulatory guidelines across regions.
• Oversee core HR processes while ensuring full compliance with federal, state, and local requirements across all locations. Spearhead benefits administration, lead yearly open enrollment efforts, cultivate vendor partnerships, and provide clear team support.
• Navigate complex multi-state employment regulations as the organization continues its geographical growth.
• Structure and build out the People Operations department, introducing specialized roles such as HR Generalists and Talent Acquisition support.
• Work in close partnership with young, visionary executive leaders to serve as an advisor on organizational design, culture, and employee relations.
• Prepare for seamless ascension to Chief People Officer over a 5-year timeline.

Qualifications & Ideal Experience

• Experience: 7+ years of progressive HR leadership experience, with proven expertise in multi-site/multi-state compliance and benefit program administration. Experience in high-volume, multi-unit service industries (e.g., hospitality, restaurant groups, retail operations, or exterior express car washes) is preferred.
• Building Capabilities: Demonstrated success creating HR processes, policies, and talent acquisition programs in a growing or mid-sized organization.
• Tech-Forward & Adaptable: Comfortable leveraging HR software, modern applicant tracking systems, and technology solutions to drive efficiency.
• Cultural Alignment: Energetic, approachable, and resilient mindset; excited to work alongside an entrepreneurial family office and executive team.
• Location Requirements: Ability to work onsite at corporate headquarters in Northwest Georgia, with occasional travel (approx. 2 weeks per quarter) to regional locations.