Oceana · 17 hours ago
Deputy Director, US HR Operations
Washington, DC
Full-time
Hybrid
Director/Executive
$130K/yr - $140K/yr
8+ years expOceana is seeking a Deputy Director, US HR Operations to join their dynamic human resources team. The role focuses on delivering efficient HR operations, strengthening employee experience, and ensuring compliance across U.S. HR functions.
Marine TechnologyNon ProfitSeafoodWildlife Conservation
Responsibilities
Serve as the primary contact for U.S. employee relations matters, including performance concerns, conflict resolution, policy guidance, and investigations
Provide coaching and support to managers on complex personnel situations to ensure consistent, fair, and compliant outcomes
Partner with Legal and the Global HR Director on sensitive or high-risk cases, acting as a key internal advisor and escalation point
Anticipate employee relations or compliance risks and recommend proactive solutions to mitigate impact
Oversee end-to-end execution of U.S. HR processes across the employee lifecycle, including recruiting, onboarding, job changes, and offboarding
Supervise and support the Senior Benefits & HR Specialist, ensuring timely and accurate execution of open enrollment, benefit billing, vendor management, and leave administration
Supervise the Senior HR Associate in carrying out key operations including payroll coordination, HRIS updates, and documentation processes
Ensure HR operations are audit-ready and aligned with Oceana’s internal controls, regulatory requirements, and data integrity standards
Partner with the Global HR Director to translate strategic HR goals into operational plans, processes, and measurable outcomes
Support the rollout of HR initiatives by managing execution, monitoring adoption, and adjusting implementation as needed
Collaborate with Finance, IT, Legal, and other departments on cross-functional initiatives such as payroll, systems improvements, compensation planning, and compliance activities
Lead mid- to senior-level recruitment efforts in partnership with hiring managers and contribute to inclusive hiring practices
Maintain and update U.S. HR policies, procedures, and employee handbooks in line with federal, state, and local laws
Coordinate compliance-related activities, including regulatory reporting (e.g., ACA, EEOC), training tracking, and policy audits
Provide oversight for leave management, including FMLA, ADA accommodations, return-to-work coordination, and other protected leave programs
Monitor HRIS and workforce data to identify trends, support workforce planning, and inform leadership decision-making
Recommend and implement workflow, system, or reporting improvements to improve operational efficiency and employee experience
Foster documentation, knowledge-sharing, and continuous improvement within the U.S. HR team
Qualification
Required
Bachelor's degree in human resources, Business Administration, or related field preferred or a combination of education and experience will be considered
8 years of progressive HR experience, with demonstrated expertise in U.S. employee relations, compliance, and HR operations
Prior experience in a distributed or multi-state organization required; experience in nonprofit or mission-driven organizations preferred
Deep knowledge of U.S. labor laws and HR compliance practices
Proven ability to resolve complex employee relations issues with discretion and sound judgment
Demonstrated experience managing HR operations or compliance in a regulated environment
Strong project management, organizational, and process improvement skills
Proficiency with HRIS systems (ADP highly preferred), with the ability to analyze and present HR data to leadership
Ability to build trust and credibility with employees and managers at all levels
Comfortable working independently while knowing when to escalate
Action-oriented: Takes on new opportunities and tough challenges with a sense of urgency, high energy and enthusiasm
Instills Trust: Gains the confidence and trust of others through honesty, integrity, and authenticity
Communicate effectively: Developing and delivering multi-mode communications that convey a clear understanding of the unique needs of different audiences
Collaborates: Building partnerships and working collaboratively with others to meet shared objectives
Manages Complexity: Making sense of complex, high quantity, and sometimes contradictory information to effectively solve problems
Adaptability: Adapting approach and demeanor in real-time to match the shifting demands of different situations
Optimizes Work Processes: Knowing the most effective and efficient processes to get things done, with a focus on continuous improvement
Global Perspective: Takes a broad view of issues and challenges and can see them in global contexts
Preferred
Experience in nonprofit or mission-driven organizations preferred
SHRM-CP, SHRM-SCP, PHR, or SPHR certification preferred
Company
Oceana
Oceana, founded in 2001, is the largest international organization focused solely on ocean conservation.
201-500 employees
Funding
Current Stage
Growth StageTotal Funding
$3.04M2014-06-01Seed· $0.04M
2014-02-20Grant· $3M
Leadership Team
James Simon
Chief Executive Officer
Recent News
2025-10-14
Company data provided by crunchbase