Director, People

Ideal candidate is able to come into the office 3-4x a week. About Us At Zevia, we’re creating a world of better-for-you flavor—better for people and the planet. Our team is made up of courageous challengers and tenacious builders who are passionate about our mission. We’re solutions-oriented, always improving, and we operate with a healthy thirst for risk. We believe in staying true to our convictions while continuously learning and evolving. At our core, we are people-centric. We care deeply, lead with empathy, and operate as one team—no egos, just a shared purpose. We strive to reflect the diversity of our consumer base within our organization and foster a culture of empathy and humility. Together, we aim to impact global health, provide affordable better-for-you products, and protect the planet by reducing plastic. We’re fighting the good fight to change the beverage industry for the better — and we’re just getting started. Summary In partnership with the General Counsel & VP, People, the Director, People leads and executes the People strategy at Zevia PBC, overseeing the full employee lifecycle for both US and CAN workforce —from talent acquisition and onboarding through development, engagement, and offboarding. This role owns day-to-day People operations while driving key initiatives across talent acquisition, organizational development, performance management, and employee experience. The Director partners closely with leaders across the business to build high-performing teams, strengthen leadership capability, and ensure alignment with Zevia’s values and business priorities. As a strategic and hands-on leader, the Director provides guidance on all people-related matters, leveraging data, tools, and best practices to drive engagement, talent outcomes, and organizational effectiveness. In collaboration with the General Counsel & VP, People this role also supports the continued development of Zevia’s employer brand and best-in-class People practices. What You’ll Do   Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Talent Acquisition Directs all aspects of talent acquisition, from employer branding and recruitment to interviewing and hiring across every organizational level. Guides strategic planning for teams and talent, collaborating closely with the VP, Legal & People on succession plans, leadership growth initiatives, and organizational preparedness. Compliance Works closely with the PEO and internal legal teams to oversee Canadian and US Handbooks, as well as update organizational policies. Guarantees effective handling of all training-related communications within the company (to include safety and risk trainings and documentation). Addresses Zevia LOA correspondence and participates in related discussions. Supports related People/HR audits and SOX controls. Culture And Employer Brand Sets and guides agenda items for People department team meetings. Analyzes compensation data related to 10k and Proxy reports. Conducts engagement surveys and coordinates special events, as necessary. Organizational Development Serves as the organization's learning advocate by promoting practices aimed at enhancing team effectiveness, systems thinking, personal mastery, employee engagement, and ongoing improvement. Leads quarterly training initiatives across the organization. Oversees organizational performance review processes, including 90-day, mid-year, and annual evaluations. Works closely with senior leadership and department heads to assess people needs and ensure alignment with the organization's long-term mission and goals within the People function. Develops strategies and plans for the People team that support overall business objectives. Employee Relations Oversees day-to-day employee relations matters, escalating issues to the General Counsel & VP, People as necessary. Maintains and organizes all required documentation pertaining to employee relations. Serves as the liaison for Management coaching on employee relations issues. Payroll, Benefits Administration & Systems Audits all payroll transactions (both US and CAN) and serves as back up processor, as needed. Manages benefits enrollments and administration, in collaboration with TriNet (PEO) Conducts audits of HRIS systems, as needed. Leverage and evaluate emerging AI tools and technologies to improve HR operations, enhance employee experience, support data-driven decision-making, and ensure responsible, compliant use of AI across people practices. Compensation & Budget Administration Supports development and execution of Annual Operating Plan and People/HR Plan. Tracks and reports monthly G&A expenses. Partners with General Counsel & VP People to manage and execute Zevia’s Compensation Philosophy. Who You Are:  Exhibits advanced emotional intelligence and well-developed interpersonal abilities. Capable of working autonomously with limited guidance or oversight. Possesses strong analytical and problem-solving capabilities. Demonstrates a clear understanding of business operations and strategy, effectively utilizing talent management processes and tools to advance strategic objectives. Shows consistent personal initiative and urgency in driving results, delivering outcomes even when faced with challenges. Thrives in a collaborative and dynamic team setting. Displays proven coaching expertise and the ability to influence stakeholders. Preferred Education and Experience: 6–10 years of HR experience. This is a hands-on role. We are looking for someone who will be able to execute day-to-day operations while providing strategic input. Bachelor’s degree in business administration, Human Resources, Organizational Development, Psychology, or a related field, preferred. Experience working with or within a Professional Employer Organization (PEO). Familiarity wi