Senior Director, HR

HiberCell, Inc. is a clinical-stage biotechnology company dedicated to the advancement of novel therapeutics that overcome the foundational molecular barriers that prevent patients from living longer, cancer-free lives.

At HiberCell, a cancer-free world is more than a dream. It’s a future we’re pursuing with the utmost rigor and urgency. This means tapping into many unexplored therapeutic strategies for treatment resistance, cancer relapse, and metastasis. If you share our determination, we’d like you on our team.

Summary:  We are seeking an energetic and highly-skilled Sr. Director of Human Resources to join our growing, fast-paced, distributed team. In this position you will provide strategic advice and thought partnership, drive all areas of HR for the US-based team, and collaborate closely with the non-US Head of HR, including: change management, talent acquisition and development, organizational effectiveness, employment, compensation, benefits, people operations analytics, employee relations, and leadership and development. This is a “hands-on” position that will require both Operational HR and Strategic HR skills.   You will develop and implement Human Resources policies, programs and procedures, ensure that proper files and documentation are maintained, and that the Company is in compliance with applicable laws in the states where HiberCell has employees. Professionals who are excited by the challenge of stepping in and creating an infrastructure to prepare for high-growth in this scientifically-focused organization will find this to be a very rewarding role. This position will report to the CEO.

Core Responsibilities:

• Work proactively with the Executive Team to ensure the Company is able to recruit, motivate, and retain needed technical, professional, and support staff.
• Collaborate with and contribute as a trusted advisor and executive coach to the CEO, senior leaders and managers to address organizational changes and challenges.
• Represent HiberCell’s mission, values, and business objectives, and lead employee relations and communications with clarity and professionalism to all employees.

• Responsible for owning all HR/People Operations functions, including recruiting, employee onboarding/offboarding, compensation and payroll, benefits, performance management/reviews, total rewards and recognition, learning and development, training, compliance, employment laws, organizational development, and implementing policies and employee programs. And where necessary, outsourcing support for some of these activities.

• Take primary responsibility for HiberCell’s US HR policies, programs, and procedures, and recommend, develop and implement updates and improvements.   And align those practices with your HR colleague outside the US.
• Design organizational strategy and workforce planning which will support overall business objectives and growth and anticipate future needs.
• Be a key driver of the development of a strong, well-aligned culture, ensuring a continued excellent employee experience and high level of engagement throughout the lifecycle of the employee from time of entry through internal development as the company evolves.
• Ensure that Human Resource files, documentation, and communications are current and comply with all applicable local laws.
• Responsible for optimizing and maintaining HiberCell’s HR systems, including HRIS and recruiting systems.
• Implement necessary tools and resources to enable a strong foundation of infrastructure.
• Build and manage a Learning & Development program: coach managers on people management skills and strategies such as setting clear performance expectations, providing constructive feedback, recognizing positive results, taking corrective action, and linking compensation to performance; identify and implement external resources and training as needed.
• Manage employee benefits programs and benefits open enrollment.
• Develop cadence of relevant and concise reporting to leadership on talent market trends, people analytics, HR best practices, etc.
• Partner and collaborate with European subsidiary; work effectively with remote partners on a global team.
• Work with the CEO to align the HiberCell Compensation Committee with our company Compensation Philosophy and performance expectations.

Qualifications:

• BA/BS in Human Resources, Business, or related field. MBA preferred.   HR Certification is a plus, or a combination of experience and certification.
• Minimum 10+ years’ progressive HR experience supporting C-level and Executive Team in a high-growth environment in the Biotech/Pharma/Life Sciences sector, serving as a trusted advisor to the CEO.
• Proven HR leader with strong people management, strategic planning skills and experience working with CEO and supporting their work with the Board Compensation Committee and all other Board-related People matters. 
• Demonstrated ability to be a hands-on leader; comfortable moving between the tactical and the strategic.    
• Experience leading, coaching and supporting executives, senior leaders, and managers through all core HR processes (talent reviews, succession planning, etc.).
• Ability to manage multiple projects and collaborate effectively in a dynamic, multi-state environment (employees in NY, MA, and MN) and supporting employees as they navigate the current COVID environment.   
• Ability to demonstrate clear, concise communication, follow through, good judgment, and discretion.
• Strong acumen with both strategic and tactical functions managing across human capital needs, including compensation and benefits design, employee relations, talent acquisition and retention, career pathing and learning and development.
• Track record of using HR metrics to support organizational performance and communicating with key stakeholders.
• Expertise in organizational development and design, engagement, and employee experience.
• Experience guiding and facilitating cultural priorities for a new organization and devising actions designed to effectively drive culture with intention by modeling critical behavior.
• High EQ - ability to form strong partnerships and trust with employees regardless of level.
• Exceptional verbal and written communication (with both internal and external partners), interpersonal, organizational, diplomacy, problem-solving, and multi-tasking skills.
• High-energy professional with demonstrated self-confidence, high integrity, and sensitivity to others.