Vessi is a category-defining footwear and apparel brand with roots in Vancouver, Canada. At Vessi we know that water is a magical ingredient for happiness and peace, and since 2018, we've been on a mission to welcome the water and share it with the world. That's why we create 100% waterproof products that make experiencing the magic of water easier and more fun. We also believe in protecting water supply and replenishing fresh water for people who need it most through exciting charity partnerships.
Our community and team are out in the world spreading kindness, cold plunging, cleaning up coasts, and #makingwaves. And more recently with our expansion into omni-channel, we're enabling even more people to experience the magic of water through our products and brand experiences. We've got big plans ahead with more innovative products and expansion into the US market, and we're on the lookout for passionate and driven individuals to join us on this journey.
If you want to be part of a growing brand, and you're the type to walk through a puddle rather than around it, we'll get along just fine!
For more information, visit www.ca.vessi.com.
Overview
Our People & Culture team is growing at Vessi and we're looking for a seasoned, HR executive to join our small but mighty team! This is an exciting, new opportunity for a strategic and visionary HR Leader who has a track record of championing culture and fostering employee engagement in a dynamic, high-growth environment. As a key member of our Leadership Team, you will play a crucial role in enhancing our HR programs to deliver an exceptional employee experience, leading organization design to ensure our people and structure support our strategic goals, and serving as an HR Business Partner to Senior Leadership to advise on their needs and challenges for anything and everything under the HR umbrella.
At Vessi, we believe in creating a workplace where employees feel inspired, connected, and valued. As our VP, People & Culture, you will have the opportunity to work closely with our Co-Founders and Senior Leadership to build a culture of high performance, continuous development and employee engagement.
What we're looking for is an executive level “Swiss Army Knife” of HR; you can truly do it all and you can do it well. You are both a Leader and an Operator and have touched all areas of the employee life cycle and functional areas within the HR field. When Leaders come to you with their needs, you often know exactly what to do, having “been there, done that” throughout your career. You have a modern approach to people practices, complemented by strong leadership capability to inspire and influence those around you. You know what drives employee engagement while simultaneously meeting the needs of the business. You are seen as a mentor and coach in the business, and you are more than willing to roll up your sleeves and be in “in the trenches” with your team to support.
If this sounds like you and you want to join us along for the ride in shaping what it means to be part of the Vessi team, we want to hear from you!
What You'll Do:
HR Business Partner
- Collaborate with Leadership to diagnose needs and challenges, and support Senior Manager, People & Culture in the design and delivery of HR programs, policies and initiatives, ensuring a positive employee experience while meeting business objectives
- Act as a trusted advisor to Leadership on all HR-related matters, providing coaching and support to enhance leadership capabilities and drive better business outcomes
- Right size solutions to current revenue of the organization; provide guidance with a bias for speed, quality and productivity and emphasize appropriate leadership behaviors and accountability practices
Organizational Design
- Lead the design and implementation of organizational structure changes and internal movement with Leadership Team consult, using best practice principles of span of control, gaps and compression monitoring
- Engage and support Functional Leaders to determine recruitment strategies when needed; understand and coach Leaders in determining whether to “build vs. buy” talent
- Lead and design communication plans resulting from any people implications
Employee Experience and Engagement
- Support with designing strategies to enhance employee engagement resulting in a sense of internal community, inspiration and motivation
Recruitment Strategy
- Develop and implement the annual recruitment strategy aligning business objectives with talent needs, to attract top talent, enhance employer brand and reduce time-to-fill positions
- Own the recruitment relationships with parties such as recruitment agencies, advisors and technology tools to support Vessi's talent strategies; source and approve recruitment partnerships
- Lead executive recruitment as either the Lead Recruiter or through an agency as assigned; support Functional Leads and Senior Leadership with the planning, designing, screening, interviewing and onboarding of new executive talent
Performance Management
- Design and execute performance management monitoring programs that practice radical candor, leaning into tools of mentorship, transparency and real time relevant feedback, all while ensuring the organization stays motivated and inspired to do their best work. We want a high-performing team that enjoys the journey along the way!
- Design and implement a robust performance management system that drives accountability and performance excellence, with clear development pathways
Total Rewards
- Design and implement total compensation strategies for our executive team, ensuring competitive and equitable compensation practices
- Oversee the design and administration of organization wide total compensation programs that attract, retain and motivate top talent
HR Operations
- Practice awareness of what HR areas require your attention and what competencies need urgent outsourcing
- Integrate programs and initiatives that are successfully adopted company-wide
- Adapt programs and services to be “just enough” when needed, and take the same program and double down during high-growth phases; you know when something isn't needed and if Vessi can do with or without it. Think general programs, technologies, perks and benefits, headcount etc.
- Oversee HR Operations to ensure efficient and effective service delivery, implementing HR systems and technologies that streamline processes and enhance data analytics
Retail Operations
- Oversee retail talent management strategies and technology processes to strengthen our retail network
- Support the enablement of opening stores in new provinces and/or countries through talent strategies and workforce planning, and right size appropriate headcount to minimize risk; you know when to build a team of permanent staff versus a temporary staffing model
- Partner with Retail Leadership to address the unique HR needs of our retail operations, developing programs that support retail employee development, engagement, and retention
Financial Acumen
- Own departmental budget to align with business objectives and HR best practices, including cost effective solutions in areas such as but not limited to, recruitment, employee relations (legal), total rewards, recognition and talent marketing
Employment Relations
- Foster positive employee relations through a strong leadership presence, effective communication, conflict resolution, and engagement initiatives, contributing to a harmonious, inclusive and high-performing workplace
Compliance and Global Mobility
- Ensure compliance with all local, provincial/state, federal, and international employment laws and regulations, resulting in minimized risks/liabilities
- Stay up-to-date with the latest regulations and compliance for North America and all geographic locations where Vessi has operations
- Leverage existing resources and connections to support Vessi's growth globally; carefully balance the need for compliance with the size and complexity of the organization, while driving and maintaining a safe, welcoming and engaging work environment. We don't lose the fun!
- Understand the high-level implications of growing into new countries; plan, recruit and build sustainable practices for an international workforce
- Build and manage global mobility programs, ensuring smooth transitions for employees moving between global locations
What We're Looking For:
- Previous experience as an HR Leader in both high-growth and retail environments, having touched all areas of the employee lifecycle and HR functional areas such as but limited to: organization design, Canadian and US employment law, executive recruitment and change management
- Cultural acuity; proven track record of championing organizational cultures, fostering a sense of community and connection among employees
- Strong leadership presence with operational execution; we want someone who can roll up their sleeves when needed with an attitude of “no job is too small”
- Proven ability to influence and inspire at all levels of the organization
- Modern approach to HR best practices
It's a Bonus If You Have:
- Experience designing and administering executive compensation programs
What You'll Get:
- Opportunity to help build an ever-evolving brand
- Competitive salary
- 4 weeks paid vacation
- Professional development opportunities
- Extended health benefits package including an EAP and a $500 annual Health & Wellness Spending Account
- $250 WFH Reimbursement
- $1000 per year Education Reimbursement
- 40% Family & Friends Discount
- Free Vessi product and 50% Employee Discount
- Flexibility to WFH and from our beautiful office 2-3 days/week
- Dog-friendly office
At Vessi, we are committed to creating an environment where all team members feel welcome and have the opportunity to succeed. We believe that a strong commitment to diversity and inclusion allows us to truly fulfill our mission and live out our core values. We are an equal opportunity employer and encourage people of all backgrounds, perspectives and skillsets to apply.