HR Manager

Vaco by Highspring; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 110,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Vaco by Highspring in San Diego, CA, is hiring an experienced HR Manager to lead the people function during a growth phase. This onsite role reports to executive leadership and focuses on building scalable HR programs, policies, and compliance across the organization.

The ideal candidate will be hands-on, with strong experience in employee relations, CA employment law, and HR operations, and possess the ability to partner with leaders to shape strategy and drive outcomes.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related field.
• 5+ years of progressive HR experience.
• Strong knowledge of California employment law.
• Experience in startup or high-growth environments preferred.
• PHR/SPHR/SHRM credentials are a plus.

Responsibilities

• Serve as trusted advisor to managers and employees on HR matters.
• Provide guidance on employee relations, performance management, coaching, and discipline.
• Support performance review processes and employee development initiatives.
• Ensure documentation and compliance with company policies.
• Manage full-cycle recruiting, interviewing, offers, and onboarding.
• Partner on payroll, benefits, and HR operations.
• Support safety initiatives and workers' compensation programs.

Skills

Employee relations

Policy development

Performance management

HR compliance

Strategic HR

Education

Bachelor's degree in Human Resources or related field

Tools

BambooHR

Payroll systems

Job description

HR Manager

Location: San Diego, CA (Onsite)

Compensation: $110,000 - $120,000 + Bonus

About the Opportunity

An innovative and growing science-based organization is seeking an experienced HR Manager to serve as the primary HR leader for the business. This is a highly visible role reporting directly to executive leadership and offers the opportunity to build and strengthen HR processes, compliance programs, employee relations practices, and workplace culture during an exciting phase of growth. The ideal candidate is hands‑on, thrives in fast‑paced and evolving environments, and enjoys creating structure, policies, and scalable HR programs.

Key Responsibilities

Employee Relations & Performance Management

• Serve as a trusted advisor to managers and employees.
• Provide guidance on employee relations, performance management, coaching, and disciplinary matters.
• Support performance review processes and employee development initiatives.
• Ensure appropriate documentation and compliance with company policies.

HR Compliance & Policy Administration

• Maintain compliance with federal, state, and local employment laws.
• Develop, implement, and update HR policies, procedures, and employee handbook content.
• Oversee leave administration, employee records, and HR documentation.
• Ensure proper employee classification, payroll compliance, and recordkeeping practices.

Recruiting & Onboarding

• Manage full-cycle recruiting efforts for open positions.
• Coordinate interviews, offers, and onboarding activities.
• Support workforce planning and talent acquisition initiatives as the organization grows.

Benefits, Payroll & HR Operations

• Partner with internal stakeholders on payroll and benefits administration.
• Maintain HRIS records and reporting.
• Support compensation administration and employee lifecycle processes.

Safety & Risk Management

• Partner with leadership and external resources to support workplace safety initiatives.
• Help ensure compliance with applicable workplace safety regulations and training requirements.
• Assist with workers' compensation administration and return-to-work programs.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or related field preferred.
• 5+ years of progressive Human Resources experience.
• Strong knowledge of California employment law and HR best practices.
• Experience supporting employee relations, compliance, performance management, and policy development.
• Prior experience in a startup, high-growth, or rapidly evolving environment preferred.
• Ability to operate both strategically and tactically.
• HR certification (PHR, SPHR, SHRM-CP, or SHRM-SCP) is a plus.
• Experience with HRIS platforms such as BambooHR is beneficial but not required.

Ideal Candidate

• Energized by building and improving HR processes.
• Comfortable working independently as the lead HR resource.
• Collaborative, adaptable, and solutions‑oriented.
• Excited by the opportunity to support a growing organization with a global footprint.
• Strong communicator who can effectively partner with leaders across the business.

Equal Opportunity Notice

Highspring LLC (d/b/a Vaco by Highspring) and its parents, affiliates, and subsidiaries ("we," "our," or "Vaco by Highspring") are committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals and does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race (including but not limited to traits historically associated with race such as hair texture and hair style), color, sex (includes pregnancy or related conditions), religion or creed, national origin, citizenship, age, disability, status as a veteran, union membership, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, marital status, political affiliation, or any other protected characteristics as required by applicable law. The company is also committed to ensuring that persons who need them are provided with reasonable accommodations; if an accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, please contact [e-mail].

Vaco by Highspring also wants all applicants to know their rights that workplace discrimination is illegal.