Deputy Director, US HR Operations

Overview

Oceana seeks a Deputy Director, US HR Operations to join Oceana’s dynamic and fast-paced human resources team. The Deputy Director provides senior-level support across core U.S. HR functions, with a focus on delivering consistent, compliant, and efficient operations aligned with Oceana’s overall HR strategy. This position strengthens the employee experience, ensures operational integrity, and translates people-related strategy into practical execution. The Deputy Director works closely with and serves as a thought partner to the Global HR Director, responsible for day-to-day HR operations in the U.S., issue spotting, risk mitigation, and process improvement.

This role directly manages the Senior Benefits & HR Specialist and the Senior HR Associate, supporting both execution and professional development.

• 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.

• 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.
• SHRM-CP, SHRM-SCP, PHR, or SPHR certification 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…