Description
Job Description: Head of Human Resources (HR Lead)
Location: Aurora, IL – Diagnostic Support Services Corporate Office (On-site)
Reports To: CEO and/or VP of Finance
Company Size: ~50 Employees
Role Summary
We are seeking a Head of Human Resources to build, own, and scale the HR function for a growing organization of ~50 employees. This is a hands-on, single-threaded HR leadership role responsible for both strategic HR leadership and day-to-day execution.
This individual will act as a trusted advisor to executive leadership, while also directly managing all HR operations including recruiting support, employee relations, performance management, compliance, and culture development.
The ideal candidate thrives in a high-growth, build-from-scratch environment, is comfortable operating independently, and can balance strategy with execution.
Key Responsibilities
HR Leadership & Strategy
Serve as the primary HR leader and advisor to the CEO and executive team
Develop and implement HR strategies aligned with company growth objectives
Build foundational HR infrastructure (policies, programs, systems)
Establish scalable frameworks for a growing organization
Talent & Recruiting Support
Partner with leadership on headcount planning and hiring strategy
Support recruiting efforts (process design, vendor/recruiter management, candidate experience)
Build onboarding programs to improve ramp time and retention
Ensure hiring processes align with company growth goals and culture
Employee Relations & Culture
Act as the go-to resource for all employee relations matters
Foster a high-performance, accountable, and collaborative culture
Lead conflict resolution, coaching, and performance-related discussions
Drive employee engagement initiatives and feedback mechanisms
Performance Management
Design and implement performance management frameworks (reviews, goal setting, accountability)
Partner with managers to improve leadership effectiveness
Establish consistent processes for performance evaluation and development
Compensation & Benefits
Oversee compensation structures and ensure market competitiveness
Manage benefits programs, vendor relationships, and employee communication
Support bonus/incentive plan design in partnership with Finance and leadership
Compliance & HR Operations
Ensure compliance with all federal, state, and local employment laws
Maintain employee records, policies, and HR documentation
Oversee payroll coordination (in partnership with Finance or external providers)
Implement and manage HR systems (HRIS, performance tools, etc.)
HR Infrastructure & Scalability
Build repeatable processes that support scaling from ~50 to 100+ employees
Identify and implement systems to improve efficiency and visibility
Create dashboards and reporting for leadership (headcount, turnover, hiring metrics, etc.)
Candidate Profile
Required Experience & Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree (BA/BS) required
SHRM certification (SHRM-CP or SHRM-SCP) strongly preferred
Fluency in Spanish (written and verbal) preferred
7–12+ years of progressive HR experience
Prior experience as a standalone HR leader or senior HR generalist in a small/mid-sized company
Demonstrated ability to build HR functions from the ground up
Key Competencies
Hands-on operator – willing to execute at all levels (no task too small)
Builder mindset – thrives in ambiguity and growth environments
Business-oriented – understands how HR drives company performance
Strong communicator – able to influence leadership and support employees
High accountability – owns outcomes across the entire HR function
Preferred Experience
Experience in life sciences, diagnostics, clinical services, or healthcare-related industries
Experience supporting commercial/sales-driven organizations
Exposure to scaling companies (50 → 150+ employees)
Requirements
Required Experience & Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree (BA/BS) required
SHRM certification (SHRM-CP or SHRM-SCP) strongly preferred
Fluency in Spanish (written and verbal) preferred
7–12+ years of progressive HR experience
Prior experience as a standalone HR leader or senior HR generalist in a small/mid-sized company
Demonstrated ability to build HR functions from the ground up
Key Competencies
Hands-on operator – willing to execute at all levels (no task too small)
Builder mindset – thrives in ambiguity and growth environments
Business-oriented – understands how HR drives company performance
Strong communicator – able to influence leadership and support employees
High accountability – owns outcomes across the entire HR function
Preferred Experience
Experience in life sciences, diagnostics, clinical services, medical manufacturing, or healthcare-related industries
Experience supporting commercial/sales-driven organizations
Exposure to scaling companies (50 → 150+ employees)
