About the Role
About Us
An Alabama-based startup on a mission to revolutionize how the South approaches sustainability. Our team is building cutting-edge solutions to reduce waste, improve energy efficiency, and protect natural resources. As we scale, we’re looking for a people-first HR leader to help us build a mission-driven team and a healthy, high-performing culture from the ground up.
Your Role: Director of Human Resources
As our first HR hire, you will be responsible for establishing and leading our entire HR function. From recruiting and retention to compliance and culture, you’ll be a key architect in shaping our people strategy and driving organizational growth.
Responsibilities and Qualifications
What You’ll Do
People Strategy & Culture - Develop and implement an HR strategy aligned with our values and business goals - Champion a collaborative, equitable, and innovative company culture - Serve as a strategic advisor to leadership on organizational design and talent planning
Recruiting & Talent Acquisition - Build out our recruiting processes to attract top talent - Partner with hiring managers to forecast and fulfill talent needs - Lead DEI initiatives to build a diverse and inclusive workforce
Employee Relations & Performance - Design performance management systems and employee development programs - Navigate employee relations with empathy and fairness - Provide training and leadership development for managers
Compensation, Benefits & Compliance - Develop compensation structures and benefits plans - Ensure legal compliance with Alabama and federal labor laws - Maintain HR documentation and workplace policies
Foundational HR Systems - Select and implement HRIS and payroll systems - Build scalable onboarding and off-boarding processes - Track and report on key HR metrics
What We’re Looking For
Must-Haves – Proven years of progressive HR experience, ideally in a startup or high-growth setting - Strong knowledge of Alabama and federal employment regulations - Experience building HR systems and processes from scratch - Excellent interpersonal and communication skills - Passion for sustainability or mission-driven work
Nice-to-Haves - SHRM-CP, SHRM-SCP, or PHR/SPHR certification - Experience scaling a team from 10 to 100+ - Background in environmental, operations, or manufacturing industries
What We Offer - Competitive salary + equity in a high-impact startup - Health, dental, vision, 401(k), and generous PTO - Flexible hybrid work structure - A mission-driven culture where your impact truly matters
Ready to Apply? Send your resume and a short note about your passion for building great teams in the environmental space to willis@watkinstalentsolutions.com
We’re proud to be an equal opportunity employer committed to building a diverse and inclusive team.