DEPT Director, People Business Partner

Denver CO; Atlanta GA; Chicago IL; Boston MA; Newburyport MA; New York NY; San Diego CA; Los Angeles CA; Salt Lake City UT
Submit your CV and any additional required information after you have read this description by clicking on the application button.

We are pioneers at heart. What this means, is that we are always leaning forward, thinking of what we can create tomorrow that does not exist today. We were born digital and we are a new model of agency, with a deep skillset in tech and marketing. That’s why we hire curious, self-driven, talented people who never stop innovating.

Our culture is big enough to cope and small enough to care. Meaning, that with people across 20+ countries, we’re big enough to provide you with the best tools, global opportunities, and benefits that help you thrive. While acting small by investing in you, your growth, your team, and giving you the autonomy to solve our clients\' problems, no matter where you are in the world.

We are currently only hiring in specific location in the United States. Locations, office requirements, and salary bands are outlined below. Please note that we do not offer relocation at this time.

What you will do

We are looking for a seasoned and strategic Director, People Business Partner to join our dynamic marketing/tech organization. This leadership role requires an experienced professional with a proven track record of working within agency environments, who excels in driving talent initiatives across performance management, talent development, organizational design, and employee engagement. As the Director, People Business Partner, you will be a trusted advisor to senior leadership, helping to shape the people strategy while overseeing the full-cycle HR processes. You will thrive in a fast-paced environment and be adept at managing competing priorities while delivering results.

This role will have a direct impact on building a culture of high performance and continuous growth, ensuring that people strategies align with business objectives and help drive organizational success.

Strategic People Leadership

• Partner with senior leadership to develop and execute the overall people strategy, ensuring alignment with business goals and objectives.
• Act as a trusted advisor, providing insights and guidance on organizational effectiveness, culture, and employee relations.
• Champion initiatives that drive employee engagement, foster a positive work culture, and support business growth.
• Strengthen the performance management process to enable us to have candid conversations with our employees about their performance, compensation, career development, and how they are measured.

Full-Cycle HR Management

• Lead performance management processes across the organization, including goal setting, feedback, and performance evaluations, to ensure alignment with business priorities.
• Oversee the talent calibration process to ensure fairness, consistency, and alignment with organizational goals.
• Manage the open enrollment process, ensuring smooth execution and clear communication for all employees.
• Lead the design, implementation, and evaluation of Learning & Development (L&D) programs, ensuring that employees have access to the tools and skills necessary for career growth.

Organizational Design & Development

• Drive organizational design initiatives that enable effective structure, role clarity, and optimal talent alignment across teams.
• Assess the effectiveness of the organizational structure and work with leadership to make recommendations that drive business efficiency and scale.
• Lead change management efforts to ensure smooth transitions during periods of growth, restructuring, or shifts in strategy.

Employee Engagement & Retention

• Develop and implement strategies to enhance employee engagement and create an inclusive, collaborative work environment.
• Work closely with leaders to address employee concerns, provide coaching, and ensure that all employees feel valued and supported.
• Lead initiatives around retention strategies, employee recognition, and career progression to ensure top talent stays and thrives within the organization.

Talent Acquisition & Workforce Planning

• Partner with HR and hiring teams to align talent acquisition strategies with organizational growth needs, ensuring a seamless hiring process for critical roles.
• Manage workforce planning initiatives, balancing short-term business needs with long-term talent development and succession planning.

Change Management & Organizational Growth

• Navigate and lead the organization through periods of transformation and growth, ensuring people strategies remain aligned with evolving business needs.
• Support teams with leadership development and the implementation of new tools, processes, and initiatives to enhance team effectiveness.

What you will bring

• 10+ years of experience in HR, people operations, or organizational development within an agency or fast-paced marketing/technology environment.
• Proven track record of managing the full cycle of HR processes, including performance management, talent calibration, L&D, and open enrollment.
• Deep expertise in organizational design, with a history of leading and executing structural changes that align with business growth.
• Strong ability to manage and thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic environment while balancing competing priorities and maintaining a calm and positive demeanor.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to build relationships and influence at all levels of the organization.
• Strategic thinker with a strong business acumen, capable of aligning HR initiatives with overall business objectives.
• High emotional intelligence and experience providing coaching to senior leadership on organizational and people challenges.
• Ability to lead and develop teams, inspire collaboration, and create a culture of continuous improvement and high performance.
• Must have Creative and/or Media agency experience

What do we offer?

We are a collaborative, open-door, best-idea-wins environment that fosters personal and company growth and has fun doing it. Here is a snapshot of our benefits package:

• Healthcare, Dental, and Vision coverage
• PTO
• Paid Company Holidays

The anticipated salary ranges for this position and subsequent locations are listed below. Salary is based on a range of factors that include relevant experience, expertise, physical location, and organizational impact. This is based on a 40-hour workweek and leveling. Keep in mind, we\'re flexible.

We support you being you :

DEPT is an equal opportunity employer (EOE). We believe our work is its best when our people feel safe and free to be themselves. We’re committed to an inclusive and barrier-free recruitment and selection process and workplace, regardless of anyone’s lived experience, race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, and genetic information. So tell us about any accommodations you need. It’s totally confidential and only used to make sure you feel fully supported at every step.

DEPT participates in E-Verify, meaning your Form I-9 information will be sent to the federal government to confirm you are authorized to work in the U.S.

DEPT is a pioneering technology and marketing services company that creates integrated end-to-end digital experiences for brands such as Google, KFC, Philips, Audi, Twitch, Patagonia, eBay and more. Its team of 2,500+ digital specialists across 30+ locations on 5 continents delivers pioneering work on a global scale with a boutique culture.

At DEPT, we take pride in creating an inclusive workplace where everyone has an equal opportunity to thrive. We actively seek to recruit, develop, nurture, and retain talented individuals from diverse backgrounds, with varying skills and perspectives.

Not sure you meet all qualifications? Apply, and let us decide! Research shows that women and members of underrepresented groups tend not to apply for jobs when they think they may not meet every requirement, when in fact they do. We believe in giving everyone a fair chance to shine.

We also encourage you to reach out to us and discuss any reasonable adjustments we can make to support you throughout the recruitment process and your time with us.

Want to know more about our dedication to diversity, equity, and inclusion? Check out our efforts here.

This is a hybrid office location with the expectation that you will need to go into the office 3 days a week. You must be located within 50 miles of our Chicago, IL office located at: One South Wacker, 1 S Wacker Dr #2250, Chicago, IL 60606.

Salary ranges by location:

• Chicago, IL: $150,000 - $200,000 USD
• Denver, CO: $150,000 - $200,000 USD
• Boston, MA; Newburyport, MA: $150,000 - $200,000 USD
• New York, NY: $150,000 - $200,000 USD
• San Diego, CA; Los Angeles, CA: $150,000 - $200,000 USD

This is remote role, however you must be located within 50 miles of the listed locations to be considered. This reflects a flexible hybrid work arrangement.

This is a hybrid office location with the expectation that you will need to go into the office 3 days week. You must be located within 50 miles of our Boston, MA or Newburyport, MA offices located at: 35 India St, Boston, MA 02110; 20 Inn St, Newburyport, MA 01950

Apply for this job

Interested in building your career at DEPT? Get future opportunities sent straight to your email.

Privacy and compliance statements and voluntary self-identification information are included as part of the application process as required by law.

#J-18808-Ljbffr