Orca Pacific: A Monks Company is hiring: Associate HR Director in San Francisco

Overview

Associate HR Director at Orca Pacific: A Monks Company. Acting as the strategic HR partner for our largest global account, advising leadership across regions with a focus on NAMER to align people strategy with business impact. Design scalable HR infrastructure, resources, and toolkits; drive cross-functional initiatives that leverage AI, technology, and innovative thinking. Balance people-first solutions with commercial priorities to ensure global People operations are innovative and effective. This position operates as a senior partner to the business and the People function, ensuring HR strategy and execution are aligned, practical, and responsive to evolving needs.

About You

The essentials:

• A degree in Human Resources Management, Business Administration, or related field and/or HR certification such as SHRM-SCP or SPHR preferred.
• 8+ years of progressive HR experience, including at least 4 years in a senior HRBP or equivalent leadership role supporting large, complex, and global business units.
• Proven experience advising senior leadership on organizational design, workforce planning, and large-scale change management.
• Expertise in employee relations, performance management, and coaching senior leaders on complex people matters with sound judgment and risk awareness.
• Strong track record in building HR infrastructure, including scalable frameworks, communications, and toolkits that enable global consistency while respecting local needs.
• Tech-savvy with proven ability to adopt digital tools and AI to elevate HR practices and employee experience.
• Detail-oriented yet holistic thinker, able to connect operational execution with long-term strategy.
• Entrepreneurial, resourceful, and solutions-driven, thriving in fast-paced environments.
• Hands-on experience with HR systems (Workday strongly preferred), including data governance, compliance, and integration with payroll or finance.
• Solid understanding of global compliance landscapes (US EEOC, California Pay Data Reporting, GDPR) with experience partnering with Legal and Compliance teams to mitigate risk.
• Proven project management skills with the ability to scope, lead, and deliver cross-functional HR initiatives on time and within scope.
• Ability to manage cross-functional projects that require coordination across HR, Finance, Legal, IT, and business stakeholders.
• Comfortable operating in matrixed, fast-paced, and high-growth environments, with experience supporting large global accounts.
• Exceptional communication and influencing skills, balancing strategic thinking with hands-on execution.

About The Role

Acting as the strategic HR partner for our largest global account, advising leadership across regions with a focus on NAMER to align people strategy with business impact. Lead the evolution of HR infrastructure by designing scalable frameworks, resources, and toolkits, while driving cross-functional initiatives that leverage AI, technology, and fresh thinking. This role balances people-first solutions with commercial priorities, ensuring our global People operations are both innovative and effective. This position operates as a senior partner to both the business and the People function, ensuring HR strategy and execution are aligned, practical, and responsive to evolving needs.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the primary HRBP and central connector across regional HR partners.
• Translate business goals into people strategies that boost performance, engagement, and retention.
• Partner with leadership on organizational design, talent planning, and workforce transitions, ensuring consistency at scale while adapting to local contexts.
• Lead employee relations, resolving issues fairly, promptly, and in compliance with local and global standards.
• Support change management across the global account in collaboration with Regional HR, implementing programs effectively while localizing as needed to reflect both business and employee impact.
• Conduct exit interviews, identify patterns, and surface actionable insights that inform strategies for improvement.
• Champion onboarding as more than just a checklist, designing experiences that inspire and set up new hires for success from day one, leveraging technology and AI as appropriate.
• Design and implement scalable communication frameworks, toolkits, and resources that support global initiatives and strengthen HR service delivery (e.g., manager FAQs, recurring communication templates).
• Lead cross-functional People projects focused on performance reviews, compliance initiatives (e.g., EEOC, California Pay Data Reporting), and systems/process improvements to reduce risk and enhance efficiency.
• Oversee and maintain HR systems (e.g., Workday), relocation records, and agreement tracking, ensuring payroll readiness, data accuracy, and lifecycle documentation.
• Partner with IT, Legal, and HRIS to ensure internal practices remain current and localized where needed, aligned with the broader People strategy.
• Provide ER case management, ensuring timely documentation, risk mitigation, and stakeholder alignment.
• Support Talent Discovery, Operations, and Finance in addressing blockers to hiring approvals and in strategic workforce planning.
• Drive internal mobility and ensure smooth transfer logistics.
• Ensure compliance requests are fulfilled with timely and complete responses.

Benefits

• Excellent, full coverage medical, dental, and vision insurance with employer-paid HRA
• Generous PTO and 15 company-wide holidays
• 401k with company contribution
• Paid parental leave
• Work-life balance with emphasis on personal well-being
• Career growth in a disruptor space with entrepreneurial opportunities within the Monks network
• Diverse and inclusive culture with employee resource groups

About Monks

Monks is the global, digital operating brand of S4Capital plc. It focuses on innovation, marketing, technology services, and AI-powered capabilities. We are an equal-opportunity employer committed to building a respectful and empowering work environment for all people.

We encourage qualified applicants from all backgrounds to apply.