People Director

About This Role   

Reporting to the Head of People, the People Director will build and scale the infrastructure that supports Varda’s principals, people systems, equity programs, operational rigor, and their assigned business unit people operations. This role is focused on creating clarity, accountability, and scalability across core People infrastructure while acting as a strategic People partner to assigned business leaders and teams. 

This person will operate as both a systems and operational leader balancing process design, equity administration, compliance, people operations, and performance management in a fast-scaling environment. 

The role partners closely with People leadership, Finance, Legal, Payroll, Recruiting, and business leaders across the company. 

Responsibilities 

Equity Programs  

• Own end-to-end administration of Varda’s equity programs  

• Partner with Finance and Legal on cap table management, equity planning, and board-related equity processes  

• Ensure accuracy, compliance, and scalability of all equity administration workflows  

• Manage equity audits, reporting, and documentation processes  

• Build employee education and communication around equity philosophy, grants, vesting, and programs  

• Support operational execution of refresh grants, promotions, and special equity actions  

 

People Systems & Infrastructure 

• Partner closely with Payroll, Recruiting, IT, and Finance on system integrations and operational workflows  

• Drive automation and process improvements to reduce manual work and improve scalability  

• Ensure data integrity, reporting accuracy, and strong operational controls  

 

Business Unit People Partnership 

• Act as the People partner for assigned business unit teams 

• Support leaders in organizational design, workforce planning, team effectiveness, and talent planning  

• Partner with managers on employee relations, performance management, coaching, and team development  

• Drive consistency and accountability in People processes across assigned business unit in partnership with Head of People and People Leadership 

• Support talent calibration, succession planning, and promotion processes  

• Help drive performance management processes including goal setting, feedback cycles, performance reviews, calibration discussions, and development planning  

• Coach managers on performance conversations, accountability, employee growth, and organizational effectiveness  

 

Operational Excellence 

• Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local employment regulations, with particular focus on California  

• Improve operational workflows to increase speed, clarity, accountability, and employee experience  

• Develop scalable operational infrastructure that supports rapid company growth  

• Create operational rigor without unnecessary bureaucracy  

 

Qualifications 

• 8+ years of progressive experience in People Operations, HRIS, People Systems, HR Business Partner leader experience in a high growth, tech start-up environment  

• Experience administering equity programs in a fast-growth environment  

• Strong operational and systems mindset with the ability to build scalable infrastructure  

• Experience partnering directly with senior leaders and business teams  

• Strong experience supporting performance management and organizational effectiveness processes within a high growth technically innovative start up. 

• Strong understanding of California employment practices and compliance requirements  

• Ability to balance strategic thinking with hands-on execution  

• Strong judgment, discretion, and attention to detail  

• Comfortable operating in fast-moving environments with evolving priorities 

 

What Success Looks Like 

• People systems and operational processes are scalable, accurate, and efficient  

• Equity administration runs cleanly and employees understand the value of their equity  

• Leaders feel supported and challenged by a strong People partner  

• Performance management processes are consistent, clear, and actionable across the organization  

• Reporting and workforce data help drive better business decisions  

• Processes become simpler, faster, and more effective as the company scales 
  
   
  Pay Range 

• Salary Range: $148,000 - $200,050/per year 

• This role is on-site in El Segundo, CA 

• Leveling and base salary is determined by job-related skills, education level, experience level, and job performance 

• You will be eligible for incentives in the form of stock options and/or long-term cash awards