Vice President, Human Resources in Santa Monica, California at John Paul Mitchell Systems

Company Overview

John Paul Mitchell Systems (“JPMS” or “Company”) is recognized worldwide for developing and marketing innovative hair and skin care products since 1980. We’ve been serving the professional beauty industry with salon-quality hair care products, styling tools and professional hair color through our family of brands including Paul Mitchell, MITCH, Awapuhi Wild Ginger, Tea Tree, Paul Mitchell Tools, Neuro, The Demi, Paul Mitchell the color, Blonde, and Color XG.

JPMS was the first professional hair care company to take a stand against animal testing and continue the Company’s strong commitment to giving back, supporting a wide range of philanthropic causes both domestically and internationally. Sustainability has always been a priority, and the Company is committed to making its operations climate neutral to preserve the beauty of the world around all of us.

About the Role

Reporting to the President, the Vice President of Human Resources (“VPHR”) serves as the strategic and operational leader of the people function at JPMS. In collaboration with the organization’s leaders, the VPHR sets the vision and direction for HR programs, policies, and initiatives that support the Company’s people, culture, and business objectives.

The VPHR serves as a trusted advisor and strategic partner to JPMS’s President, CEO and other leaders to execute all HR programs. This strategic and operational role is responsible for attracting, developing, engaging, rewarding, and retaining exceptional talent across all functions, brands, and geographies. This role is accountable for the design and execution of an integrated people strategy that strengthens the Company’s culture, supports long-term growth, and ensures compliance across an increasingly complex environment in the US and globally. The VPHR must be capable of bringing solutions to unfamiliar scenarios with a high degree of thought contribution and execution autonomy.

This role will work 4 day a week from our Los Angeles offices.

What You will Do:

Leadership & People Strategy

• Serve as a trusted advisor and thought partner to the CEO, President, and Executive Leadership Team on all people, culture, and organizational matters
• Translate business strategy into people priorities, ensuring HR programs and initiatives enable growth and innovation
• Lead, develop, and inspire the HR team to deliver consistent, high-quality programs across all locations and business units

Culture & Employee Engagement

• Champion and steward the unique culture and values of John Paul Mitchell Systems across every employee touchpoint
• Lead Company-wide programs that recognize, celebrate, and reinforce behaviors that define the JPMS culture
• Partner with executive leaders to model and reinforce values-based leadership at every level of the organization

Talent Acquisition & Workforce Planning/Organization Design

• Set the enterprise talent acquisition strategy across corporate, distribution center, field, and international populations
• Partner with executive leaders on workforce planning, organizational design, and succession planning
• Oversee the employer brand and the candidate experience across all hiring channels and locations
• Ensure recruiting practices remain compliant with federal, state, local, and international employment law

Talent Management, Performance & Development

• Lead the design and execution of performance management, talent reviews, and succession planning
• Drive a culture of ongoing feedback, coaching, and career development
• Partner with executive leaders on the identification, development, and progression of high-potential talent
• Oversee learning and development strategy aligned with current and future capability needs

Total Rewards: Compensation & Benefits

• Set the total rewards philosophy and strategy, ensuring competitive, equitable, and fiscally responsible compensation and benefits programs
• Provide oversight of the Senior Manager, Employee Benefits & Risk Management and the Payroll Manager through dotted-line partnerships, ensuring aligned, accurate, and compliant delivery of pay and benefits
• Lead annual compensation planning and salary structure design in partnership with the President and CFO
• Oversee and contribute to the design, governance, and compliance of the Company’s health, welfare, and retirement programs

Employee Relations & Compliance

• Co-lead the Company’s approach to employee relations, partnering with the HR team and legal counsel on complex matters
• Ensure compliance with all federal, state, local, and international employment laws across the Company’s operating geographies
• Oversee HR policies, the employee handbook, and other resources, keeping content current with changing laws and business needs

HR Operations, Systems & Analytics

• Provide oversight of HR systems (“HRIS”), processes, and data integrity across the employee lifecycle
• Drive process improvement and operational excellence across the HR function
• Build the people analytics capability to inform executive decision-making with workforce data and insight

International Workforce

• Partner with EMIA & APAC leadership on international HR matters, including expansion, Employer of Record relationships, and cross-border talent strategy
• Ensure consistent application of JPMS culture, values, and talent practices across international operations

Miscellaneous

• Support projects and other duties as assigned within scope of the role

Required Qualifications:

Skills:

• Strategic HR leadership experience with the ability to set vision and operationalize people strategy
• Proven track record of building and leading a high-performing HR team, elevating the function as a strategic business partner
• Exceptional executive presence with the ability to influence, advise, and partner with a range of stakeholders
• Servant-leader mindset, aligned with the Company’s culture and values
• Deep expertise across all HR disciplines, including talent acquisition, talent management, total rewards, employee relations, learning & development, HRIS, and compliance
• Ability to work with AI to increase efficiency and quality of HR function
• Strong business and financial acumen, with the ability to translate business strategy into people priorities
• Exceptional judgment and discretion when handling sensitive, complex, and confidential matters
• Strong understanding of US and multi-state employment law, and familiarity with international employment practices
• Excellent communication, facilitation, and coaching skills across all levels of the organization
• Strong analytical capability, with the ability to use data to inform executive decision-making
• Proficiency with human resources information systems (HRIS), Microsoft Office Suite (specifically, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint) and AI, preferably Claude

Education:

• High school diploma or GED required

Experience:

• 15+ years in progressive HR leadership experience, including 8+ years leading the HR function for a multi-site, multi-state organization
• 8+ years leading HR teams within an organization

Preferred Qualifications:

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Organizational Development, or other related fields strongly preferred
• Master’s degree (MBA, MSHR, MILR, or similar) preferred
• SHRM-SCP, SPHR, or GPHR certification preferred

Experience:

• Prior HR leadership experience in consumer products or beauty industries with distribution functions
• Experience supporting international workforces through Employer of Record relationships
• Prior experience in a family-owned or founder-led company
• Experience with Paylocity HRIS a plus

We are eager to meet people who believe in our mission and can contribute to our team in a variety of ways - not just candidates who check all the boxes. If you think you would be a good fit for the position and our company, we invite you to apply.

Working Conditions

• Primarily office-based with limited travel to JPMS facilities outside the greater Los Angeles area
• Extended periods of computer use and frequent meetings, both in-person and virtual

Competitive Compensation:

• The expected base salary range for this position is $200,000 to $250,000. The exact base salary is determined by various factors including geographic location, experience, skills, and education.
• Discretionary Bonus Plan: This position is also eligible for participation in the company discretionary bonus plan, based on personal performance and company results.
• Comprehensive Benefits Package: In addition to base salary, JPMS offers a competitive benefits package to eligible employees, including medical, dental, vision, life, accident, critical illness, and disability insurance, retirement savings plans and company match, paid family leave, education-related programs, paid holidays, discretionary vacation time, and more.

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and take pride in a diverse environment.