Human Resources Manager Job at Protagonist in Washington
Protagonist, Washington, DC, United States, 20022
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Join Our Talented Team at Protagonist
We fuse rigorous, methodologically sound analysis with our cutting-edge technology platform, Narrative Analytics. This powerful combination enables us to quantitatively analyze open-source media, deliver strategic recommendations, and craft executive-level communication strategies for clients with missions that matter.
Join Our Talented Team at Protagonist
We fuse rigorous, methodologically sound analysis with our cutting-edge technology platform, Narrative Analytics. This powerful combination enables us to quantitatively analyze open-source media, deliver strategic recommendations, and craft executive-level communication strategies for clients with missions that matter.
Why Us?
Our team is a vibrant mix of communication specialists, data scientists, and subject matter experts with extensive experience across U.S. Government agencies, non-profit organizations, and Fortune 500 companies. By joining Protagonist, you'll immerse yourself in a collaborative environment where innovation thrives, and your contributions truly matter.
What We Do
- Innovative Solutions: We co-develop cutting-edge solutions with our clients to address tough communication problems and capitalize on opportunities to make a tangible impact.
- Data-Driven Insights: Our tools and methodologies provide actionable insights that help clients meet their communication objectives and stay ahead of global challenges.
- Applied Expertise: We integrate our solutions within client organizations, leveraging our profound expertise to address critical issues and ensure sustainable success.
At Protagonist, you'll work on compelling projects that make a real difference. We seek talented individuals eager to contribute to our mission and grow alongside us. If you're passionate about communication, data analysis, and making an impact, we invite you to explore a career with Protagonist.
Explore Your Future with Us!
Ready to take the next step in your career? Join us at Protagonist and be part of a team that's making a difference.
Job Description
Protagonist is a high-performing federal and commercial contractor with a strong reputation for delivering impactful work across sectors. As we continue to scale with intention, we're adding a Human Resources Manager to help deepen our talent strategy and strengthen the systems that support our people and culture. Reporting to Protagonist's COO, this role combines recruiting leadership—particularly for technical and cleared roles—with broader full-lifecycle HR stewardship across onboarding, compensation and benefits, performance management, employee development, retention, and off-boarding. The right candidate brings both operational depth and strategic vision, and is energized by the opportunity to help lead and build a people function to support sustainable, long-term growth.
This position is based in our Washington, DC office with a hybrid work arrangement. We value in-person collaboration and team building, so we expect regular office presence, while offering flexibility for remote work. Our collaborative environment thrives when we can work together in person.
Responsibilities
- Talent Acquisition (~60% in year one)
- Design and execute a scalable hiring strategy for both cleared and uncleared roles
- Align headcount forecasts with company staffing plan 3–12 months ahead
- Monitor pipeline health, time-to-hire, and cost-per-hire; implement corrective actions quickly
- People Operations (~40% in year one)
- Own onboarding through off-boarding, including a 30-60-90-day integration plan and data-driven exit surveys
- Lead the evolution of our performance-management framework, connecting outcomes to promotion, compensation, and learning
- Maintain competitive, fiscally responsible pay bands, benefits, and incentive programs
- Develop and deliver a comprehensive L&D framework for staff at all levels, including managing internal training programs
- Direct engagement and other internal initiatives that reinforce company culture
- Ensure full compliance with federal, state, and contractual requirements
- Develop the HR organizational roadmap; justify resources and hire additional team members as hiring targets are met
- Establish repeatable processes, documentation standards, and technology integrations (ATS, HRIS, analytics)
- Mentor future HR staff and foster a service-oriented, data-driven culture
- 6-10 years progressive experience spanning recruitment and broader HR leadership; minimum 3 years hiring or managing the hiring of cleared technical/program talent
- Proven ability to design and implement scalable hiring strategies, manage headcount forecasts, and optimize recruiting metrics (e.g., time-to-hire, cost-per-hire)
- Strong experience in leading performance management systems, aligning outcomes with compensation, promotions, and employee development
- Demonstrated expertise in managing competitive pay structures, benefits, and incentive programs to maintain fiscal responsibility and market competitiveness
- In-depth knowledge of HR compliance across federal, state, and contractual regulations, ensuring all policies and practices meet legal requirements
- Experience in developing HR operational roadmaps, building and mentoring HR teams, and creating streamlined, technology-enabled HR processes (ATS, HRIS, analytics)
- Credible advisor to senior executives and effective coach to staff at all career stages
- Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business, or related discipline; PHR, SHRM-CP, or SPHR strongly preferred
Protagonist is a values-driven company that is committed to doing meaningful work for organizations we respect. We are headquartered in Washington, DC, and offer a competitive salary, flexible paid time-off policy, comprehensive medical, dental, and vision benefits, and a retirement plan.
Protagonist is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
Salary Range: $101,000-$154,000 based on education and level of relevant experience.
Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.
Seniority level
Seniority level
Mid-Senior level
Employment type
Employment type
Full-time
Job function
Job function
Human ResourcesIndustries
IT Services and IT Consulting
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