(Preferably located in Spring, TX or Beaumont, TX)
We are seeking a seasoned, hands-on Director of Human Resources to lead all people operations for a growing insurance agency with around 300 employees in several locations country wide. This role plays a critical role in supporting leaders, driving accountability, and ensuring the organization remains compliant, scalable, and people focused. The ideal candidate is highly autonomous, comfortable making difficult decisions, and equally skilled in employee relations, talent strategy, and operational execution. This is a working leadership role and requires someone who is willing to roll up their sleeves while partnering closely with executive and field leadership.
Key Responsibilities:
Leadership & Strategic Partnership
- Serve as a trusted advisor to the CEO, executive leadership, and field leaders on all HR, talent, and organizational matters.
- Operate autonomously with minimal daily direction while maintaining alignment with company goals and values.
- Maintain a strong pulse on the organization from both a people and productivity standpoint, proactively identifying risks, gaps, and opportunities.
- Support leaders at all levels with coaching, guidance, and conflict resolution.
Employee Relations, Performance Management & Corrective Action
- Lead and oversee all corrective action, performance improvement plans (PIPs), progressive discipline, and termination processes.
- Personally conduct and deliver termination conversations when required.
- Support leaders in navigating difficult conversations, business-driven decisions, and employee accountability.
- Investigate and resolve internal complaints, including harassment, discrimination, and interpersonal conflicts.
- Balance employee advocacy with the responsibility to protect the company from legal, financial, and reputational risk.
Legal, Compliance & Risk Management
- Partner with external legal counsel on employment-related matters, including EEOC complaints, demand letters, litigation support, DOI complaints, E&O claims, and regulatory inquiries.
- Ensure compliance with all federal, state, and local employment laws.
- Support and respond to compliance audits of any level.
- Ensure all employee documentation, policies, and processes remain compliant as laws evolve.
- Partner with the internal account manager to report and track workers’ compensation claims.
- Oversee leave of absence processes, accommodations, and unemployment claims, including hearings when necessary.
- Oversee protective covenant agreements, producer agreements, and ensure all required documents are executed and maintained.
Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A)
- Own and lead all HR aspects of acquisitions, including due diligence, onboarding, and integration.
- Work directly with sellers and incoming employees to ensure a smooth transition.
- Ensure compliance, benefits alignment, system setup, and integration for acquired teams.
Compensation, Merit Cycles & Benefits
- Lead annual merit increase cycles and compensation planning in partnership with leadership.
- Manage the company’s 401(k) plan, including coordination with external vendors and administrators.
- Oversee annual employer contributions, Form 5500 filings, audits, and compliance requirements.
- Partner with outsourced HR/payroll vendors to ensure accurate and timely payroll processing.
- Lead annual open enrollment process, including employee office hours for benefit presentations and Q&A with Employee Benefits Agent.
- Serve as system administrator for BambooHR, including access levels, data integrity, and reporting.
- Manage and optimize HR workflows within Monday.com.
- Oversee Applicant Pro applicant tracking system usage and reporting.
- Ensure strong data accuracy, reporting, and process controls across all HR systems.
- Maintain strong Excel-based reporting for headcount, compensation, compliance, and workforce metrics.
- Own and maintain the employee handbook, updating policies as business needs and laws change.
- Design, refine, and audit HR processes to ensure consistency, compliance, and scalability.
- Review and double-check the work of direct reports, refining processes and controls as needed.
- Manage the HR helpdesk and HR mailbox, ensuring timely and professional responses.
Required Qualifications:
- 8–10+ years of progressive HR leadership experience, preferably within a multi-state organization.
- Strong background in employee relations, corrective action, performance management, and terminations.
- Experience leading talent acquisition strategy and managing recruiters.
- Demonstrated ability to work autonomously with strong judgment and discretion.
- Proven experience partnering with executive and field leaders.
- Strong knowledge of federal and state employment laws.
- High level of proficiency in Excel and HR technology systems.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Experience within the insurance industry or a highly regulated environment.
- Experience supporting M&A activity.
- Experience with Monday.com and Applicant Pro.
- Experience managing 401(k) plans and working with external benefits administrators.
Company Benefits:
- Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance
- Supplemental Insurance
- 401K with up to 4% annual match
- Paid Time Off
- Paid Holidays