Human Resources Manager

Ghost Golf; Irvine (CA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Ghost Golf in Irvine, CA is seeking its first People & Culture Manager to own the full employee lifecycle. This hands-on role requires deep California employment law experience and goes beyond recruiting or engagement.

You’ll report to the CEO and build processes, keep us compliant, and ensure fair, consistent people practices. You’ll shape policies from onboarding to offboarding and drive a culture aligned with a fast-moving brand.

Qualifications

• 7–10 years of progressive HR experience with hands-on generalist work.
• Deep practical knowledge of California employment law (CFRA, FEHA, PDL, wage‑and‑hour).
• Experience as the sole or lead HR professional at a growing company.
• Experience supporting mixed workforces: warehouse/hourly, sales, creative, and corporate staff.
• Track record conducting investigations and managing sensitive employee relations matters.
• Experience administering payroll changes, benefits, leave, and workers' comp.
• Ability to deliver clear guidance to leadership and build systems from scratch.

Responsibilities

• Own the full employee lifecycle, from onboarding to offboarding.
• Develop and maintain HR policies, employee handbook, and employment agreements.
• Lead employee relations, investigations, and disciplinary actions in partnership with leadership.
• Ensure compliance with CFRA, FEHA, FMLA, wage-and-hour, and California postings.
• Standardize hiring workflows, background checks, and onboarding processes.
• Coordinate payroll changes, benefits, leave, and workers' comp administration.
• Drive performance management, development and retention programs.
• Select and implement an HRIS to manage records and workflows.

Skills

HR operations

Employee relations

California law

Payroll administration

Compliance

Policy development

Investigation skills

Tools

HRIS

Job description

People & Culture Manager (HR Operations & Compliance): Ghost Golf · Irvine, CA (On-site) · Full-time

About Ghost Golf

Ghost Golf is a premium golf equipment, bags, apparel, and accessories brand built for golfers who want to stand out on the course. We sell direct-to-consumer, through wholesale, and with major retail partners including Dick's Sporting Goods, Golf Galaxy, PGA TOUR Superstore, and Scheels. Our team spans corporate, sales, creative, product development, and warehouse operations, with team members across the US and internationally. We're growing fast and building the infrastructure to match.

The Role

We're hiring our first dedicated People & Culture Manager to own the full employee lifecycle at Ghost Golf. This is a hands-on, build-it-from-the-ground-up role for an HR generalist with deep California employment law experience. It is not a recruiting or engagement-only role.

You’ll report directly to the CEO and serve as the company's HR lead. You will build our processes, keep us compliant, and make sure our people are treated fairly and consistently. We want someone who can tell leadership when something can’t be done, explain why, and bring a better alternative.

What You’ll Own

Employee Relations

• Serve as the point of contact for employee concerns across corporate, sales, and warehouse teams
• Conduct workplace investigations and recommend outcomes
• Manage disciplinary actions, performance improvement plans, and terminations in partnership with leadership
• Ensure compliance with CFRA, FEHA, FMLA (where applicable), PDL, and California wage-and-hour requirements
• Audit employee classifications (exempt vs. non-exempt, employee vs. contractor)
• Maintain required postings, notices, trainings (including harassment prevention), and recordkeeping
• Partner with outside employment counsel on complex matters

Leave, Accommodations & Workers' Comp

• Build and run a formal leave of absence process: intake, documentation, tracking, and return-to-work
• Manage the interactive process for disability accommodations

Payroll & Compensation Administration

• Coordinate payroll changes, compensation records, and commission agreements
• Audit PTO, sick leave, commissions, and pay practices for accuracy and compliance
• Support compensation structure and pay equity reviews
• Standardize hiring workflows, offer letters, background checks (in line with the California Fair Chance Act), and onboarding
• Partner with hiring managers to run consistent, fair interview processes
• Own and update the employee handbook, employment agreements, and company policies
• Maintain personnel files and legally required documentation

Performance & Development

• Implement a consistent performance review cycle
• Coach managers on feedback, documentation, and team development

Benefits Administration

• Manage benefits enrollment, eligibility, and broker/vendor relationships

Culture & Engagement

• Drive retention, recognition, and engagement programs that fit a fast-moving, product-driven brand

Systems

• Select and implement an HRIS to manage employee records, leave tracking, and HR workflows

Your First 90 Days

• Audit all employment agreements and employee classifications
• Review the employee handbook against current California requirements
• Establish a formal leave and accommodation process
• Audit payroll practices, commissions, PTO, and personnel records
• Standardize hiring, onboarding, discipline, and termination procedures
• Select and begin implementing an HRIS

What You Bring

• 7–10 years of progressive HR experience, with hands‑on generalist work
• Deep, practical knowledge of California employment law (CFRA, FEHA, PDL, wage‑and‑hour, leave, accommodations)
• Experience as the sole or lead HR professional at a growing company, ideally 30–150 employees
• Experience supporting mixed workforces: warehouse/hourly, sales, creative, and corporate staff
• Track record of conducting investigations and managing sensitive employee relations matters
• Experience administering payroll changes, benefits, leave, and workers' comp
• Sound judgment, discretion, and the ability to deliver clear, direct guidance to leadership
• Comfortable building systems and policies from scratch, not just running existing ones

Nice to Have

• Background in retail, e‑commerce, consumer products, or warehousing
• Experience working with international contractors
• SHRM-CP/SCP or PHR/SPHR certification
• Passion for golf or the sports/outdoor industry

What We Don't Need

A candidate whose background is primarily recruiting, events, or culture programming. Culture matters here, but this role leads with compliance and HR operations.

Location: On‑site in Irvine, CA. Reports to the CEO.

Ghost Golf is an equal opportunity employer. We consider all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, ancestry, age, disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. Qualified applicants with arrest or conviction records will be considered in accordance with the California Fair Chance Act.