Director of Human Resources
Confidential search overview
Confidential Search Overview
A confidential media client has retained HireAxis to appoint a Director of Human Resources whose mandate covers owning talent strategy, leadership development, reward and organisational effectiveness across its media business. Based in San Francisco, CA on a remote basis, the role reports to the senior director or vice president and carries a remit of Functional ownership with budget accountability. The organisation is 1,200–3,500 employees and privately identified to shortlisted candidates only. The appointed leader inherits 20–70 people and will be measured on the strategic priorities set out below rather than activity.
This opportunity is being handled as a confidential executive search. Certain client and organisational details are withheld at the client's request and may be shared with qualified candidates during the recruiter-led process.
The leadership mandate
The Leadership Mandate
- Lead talent acquisition, business partnering, reward and people operations
- Coach the executive team on organisational design and succession
- Own the leadership development agenda end to end
First 12 months
Strategic Priorities
Day to day
Key Responsibilities
- Advise the board's compensation committee on people risk and reward
- Design the workforce plan against the multi-year business strategy
- Own executive reward, incentive design and compensation governance
- Lead succession planning and executive development for critical roles
- Strengthen performance management, engagement and retention
Leadership profile
Leadership Profile
- Experience advising executives and board committees
- Senior HR leadership experience at an equivalent scale
- Depth in reward design, organisational design and succession planning
- 10+ years, including team leadership of progressive leadership experience
- Experience operating in the media sector or an adjacent regulated market
Track record
Leadership Experience
- Proven leadership of 20–70 people, directly and through other leaders
- Accountability for a budget or P&L consistent with Functional ownership with budget accountability
- Experience presenting to executive committees, boards or investment committees
How success is measured
Key Performance Expectations
Nice to have
Preferred Qualifications
- Formal coaching or organisational psychology credentials
- Experience supporting M&A or large-scale restructuring
What's offered
Benefits
Client Profile
Our client is 1,200–3,500 employees in the media sector, headquartered in the United States and well established in its market. Further organisational detail — including the company name, ownership structure and leadership team — is shared with qualified candidates during the recruiter-led process.
Additional Information
- Department: People & Talent
- Applications close February 21, 1970.
- DEMO CONTENT — this record was created for the HireAxis platform preview and is not a verified client mandate.
- Search process: confidential candidate review, advisor conversation, client presentation, client interview panel and final board or CEO meeting.
- Background, reference and, where relevant, regulatory checks are completed before any offer.
How to apply
Application Instructions
Express confidential interest through HireAxis with your executive profile and a short note on the leadership scope you have owned. A talent advisor reviews every submission and speaks with shortlisted executives before any profile is presented to the client.
Why This Opportunity
The role has genuine mandate: the executive team has already funded the plan and is looking for the leader to run it. The executive team runs on written strategy, transparent metrics and short decision cycles, with a strong preference for leaders who develop successors.
Request Confidential ConsiderationYour interest is received by the HireAxis search team only. Nothing is shared with the client organisation without your agreement.
Recruiter-handled
The Confidential Candidate Process
Every stage is managed by a HireAxis talent advisor. Nothing is shared with the client organisation without your agreement.
01
Express Interest
Send your executive profile and a short note on the leadership scope you have owned. Nothing is shared with the client at this stage.
02
Confidential Candidate Review
Our search team reviews your background against the leadership mandate and the client's stated requirements.
03
Recruiter Conversation
A talent advisor discusses the mandate with you in detail, including client context that is not published, and answers your questions.
04
Qualified Candidate Presentation
With your agreement, your profile is presented to the client as part of a shortlist of qualified executives.
05
Client Interview Process
Interviews with the executive committee, board or hiring principals, coordinated and briefed by your advisor.
06
Next Steps
Feedback, references, compensation discussion and offer support — handled through your advisor from start to finish.
Your point of contact
Senior Executive Talent Advisor
HireAxis Confidential Search Practice
Your information will be handled discreetly throughout the initial consideration process.
Demo contact profile — replace with the assigned advisor's details before this search is published.
Candidate Privacy
Information you submit for a confidential search is reviewed by the HireAxis search team and shared only with parties authorised for that search — normally the client organisation and its interview panel — and only after we have discussed the role with you. We ask for your agreement before your profile is presented. Details may also be shared where required by law or by an appointed background-screening provider. No online platform can guarantee absolute confidentiality, so please share sensitive information only when you are comfortable doing so.
Demonstration search content. This brief illustrates how HireAxis presents a confidential mandate and is not a verified live vacancy.