Human Resources Director

Buckingham Search; Houston (TX); Remote; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Buckingham Search is seeking its first dedicated HR leader to build the people function from the ground up. This role reports to the CFO and will directly influence how the company hires, supports, and develops talent across multiple locations while maintaining mostly remote operations.

You will craft policies, oversee payroll and benefits, and shape recruiting, onboarding, and performance processes, while guiding leaders and managers.

Qualifications

• 7+ years of progressive HR experience with payroll, benefits, and compliance.
• Experience building or leading an HR function in a growing, multi-location company.
• Strong knowledge of employment practices and HR operations.

Responsibilities

• Establish and lead the core HR function, policies, records, and operating rhythm.
• Oversee payroll, benefits administration, and vendor partnerships.
• Develop recruiting, onboarding, offboarding, leave, and performance processes.
• Advise leaders on people strategy and resolve employee concerns.
• Coach managers on communication, feedback, and HR practices.
• Ensure compliance across states as the organization grows.

Skills

HR leadership

Payroll & benefits

HR operations

Policy development

Compliance

Employee relations

Cross-location coordination

Education

Bachelor's degree in HR/Business Administration

Tools

HRIS

Payroll systems

Job description

Mostly remote, but considering candidates in Chicago, Austin, Dallas, Houston, and the Orlando area.

Build the People Function from the Ground Up

A growing, multi-location organization is seeking its first dedicated HR leader to build and lead the people function. This is an opportunity to create the foundation that will support the company through its next stage of growth—including expansion into new locations and acquisitions.

Reporting to the CFO, you’ll have direct access to executive leadership and meaningful influence over how the organization hires, supports, and develops its people. You’ll be a true one-person HR team, responsible for both shaping the overall approach and carrying out the day-to-day work. There is limited HR technology and team support in place today, so this role will suit someone who enjoys building with the resources available, solving problems as they arise, and improving the function over time.

This is a hands‑on opportunity for a strategic doer: someone who can advise leaders on what the organization needs next, then roll up their sleeves to write a policy, resolve an employee concern, improve a payroll process, or support a new hire.

What You’ll Build and Lead

• Establish the core HR function, including policies, procedures, employee records, documentation standards, and a practical HR operating rhythm.
• Oversee payroll and benefits administration, partnering with vendors and internal stakeholders to ensure accurate, timely service.
• Develop consistent processes for recruiting, onboarding, offboarding, employee records, leave administration, and performance management.
• Serve as the primary HR partner for employees and managers, providing thoughtful guidance on employee relations, performance, attendance, leave, and workplace concerns.
• Coach managers on communication, feedback, expectations, and consistent people practices.
• Support compliance across multiple states, monitoring requirements and updating policies and practices as the organization grows.
• Partner with leadership on workforce needs, organizational design, talent priorities, and people-related business decisions.
• Create and improve HR systems, tools, reporting, and workflows as the company’s needs evolve.
• Support the people side of acquisitions, including diligence, employee communications, policy alignment, records, and integration planning.
• Use employee feedback and people data to identify trends, address risks, and improve the employee experience.

What You’ll Bring

• 7+ years of progressive human resources experience with broad generalist, HR operations, employee relations, and compliance responsibility.
• Experience building or significantly improving an HR function, policies, or processes in a growing organization.
• Strong working knowledge of employment practices, payroll, benefits, and HR operations.
• Experience supporting leaders and employees in a fast-paced, multi-location environment.
• The judgment to manage sensitive matters with care, sound documentation, and appropriate attention to risk.
• The ability to move comfortably between strategic planning and direct execution.
• Strong communication, organization, and follow-through, with the ability to earn trust across all levels of the organization.

Especially Helpful

• Experience as a first or early HR hire, or as the primary HR resource for a business.
• Experience supporting acquisitions, integrations, or significant organizational growth.
• Experience with hourly, field-based, or distributed workforces.
• Experience selecting or improving HRIS, payroll, benefits, or employee communication tools.
• A bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related field; an HR certification is a plus.