Director of HR (Operations Focused)

Astronomer designed Astro, a modern data orchestration platform, powered by Apache Airflow™. Astro enables companies to place Apache Airflow at the core of their data operations, providing ease of use, scalability, and enterprise-grade security, to ensure the reliable delivery of mission-critical data pipelines.

We’re a globally-distributed and rapidly growing venture-backed team of learners, innovators and collaborators. Our mission is to build an Enterprise-grade product that makes it easy for data teams at Fortune 500’s and startups alike to adopt Apache Airflow. As a member of our team, you will be at the forefront of the industry as we strive to deliver the world's data.

Your background may be unconventional; as long as you have the essential qualifications, we encourage you to apply. While having "bonus" qualifications makes for a strong candidate, Astronomer values diverse experiences. Many of us at Astronomer haven't followed traditional career paths, and we welcome it if yours hasn't either.

About this role

As Astronomer continues its rapid growth trajectory, we are seeking a Director of Human Resources to lead our HR function. Reporting directly to the VP of Finance, this role is pivotal in shaping Astronomer's culture and ensuring our team members have the support they need to thrive and succeed. Astronomer is headquartered in New York City, and we are seeking an HR leader who is based there. We hope our new Director will focus on HR operations, performance reviews, compensation, and other areas crucial for scalability. Astronomer is entering a critical phase of expansion, and the Director of Human Resources will play a pivotal role in shaping our HR operations and strategies as we grow from 200 employees to 300 and beyond.

What you get to do:

• Lead and manage a small HR team that serves a remote-first and globally distributed employee base.

• Oversee performance review processes and collaborate with department heads to ensure alignment with company objectives.

• Drive initiatives related to compensation and leveling, ensuring competitiveness and fairness across the organization.

• Provide guidance and support on employee relations matters, fostering a positive and inclusive work environment.

• Collaborate cross-functionally with leaders across the organization to address HR-related challenges and opportunities.

• Stay informed about relevant employment laws and regulations to ensure compliance.

• Continuously assess and optimize HR processes to enhance efficiency and effectiveness.

What you bring to the role:

• Proven experience in HR operations, preferably in a fast-paced startup environment.

• Strong knowledge of performance management, compensation, and leveling practices.

• Excellent leadership and team management skills, with the ability to inspire and motivate others.

• Strategic thinker with the ability to translate HR initiatives into actionable plans that drive business results.

• Effective communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build relationships at all levels of the organization.

Bonus points if you have:

• Experience leading HR initiatives during periods of rapid growth and scale.

• Familiarity with Workday.

• Experience at both smaller startups and more mature scaled businesses. 

• Knowledge of best practices in diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives.

• Previous experience managing HR functions in a remote or distributed workforce environment.

The estimated total compensation for this role ranges from $225,000 - $265,000 based on leveling and geography, along with an equity component and a comprehensive benefits package. This range is merely an estimate, and the width of the range reflects willingness to consider candidates with broad prior seniority. Actual compensation may deviate from this range based on skills, experience, and qualifications.

#LI-Hybrid

At Astronomer, we value diversity. We are an equal opportunity employer: we do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status.  Astronomer is a remote-first company.