Head of People/Director of HR

Job Title: Head of People/Director of HR

Reports to: Chief Executive Officer

Location: Brooklyn, NY (on-site)

FLSA Status: Exempt

Who We Are / Company Summary:

Xchange Telecom, LLC (Skywire Networks) is one of the most active and fastest growing Internet and Network Service Provider in New York City with more than 2,000 lit buildings, 50 neighborhood hubs and relays, and a near-net footprint exceeding 350,000. We sell Ethernet Private Lines, Internet Services and hosted voice services to both business and residential clients at speeds ranging from 10mb to 10gb. Skywire Networks mission is to revolutionize the way people connect, communicate, and collaborate by delivering cutting-edge technology and exceptional services.

Skywire Networks is owned by Nova Infrastructure, a private equity investment firm that targets middle market opportunities in environmental services, transportation, energy transition, digital, and other infrastructure sectors primarily in North America.

Position Summary:

The Head of People / HR Director will be a trusted business partner to the executive team and a hands-on leader for employees across the organization. This individual will oversee all aspects of the people function—including talent acquisition, employee relations, compliance, compensation, training, organizational development, and HR operations. We are looking for a grounded, highly organized leader who can move seamlessly between strategic conversations with the C-suite and tactical problem-solving with employees and managers. This role is about building structure and driving initiatives to support engagement, performance culture, and employee well-being.

What You Will Do / Key Responsibilities:

• Develop and execute the company’s people strategy aligned with business objectives and growth plans.
• Serve as a thought partner and business partner to the CEO and executive team, providing data-driven insights, reporting, and recommendations.
• Lead organizational development initiatives, including culture-building, employee engagement, and communication strategies (e.g., lunch & learns, all-hands, recognition programs).
• Oversee HR operations, including payroll and benefits administration through CoAdvantage (PEO), while evaluating long-term alternatives (e.g., PEO transition or in-house HR structure).
• Ensure compliance with all employment laws, including wage & hour, classification (exempt/non-exempt), immigration, and local/state/federal requirements.
• Create and implement training and development programs for supervisors, managers, and employees.
• Partner with leaders to address employee relations issues with fairness, professionalism, and discretion.
• Build a compensation philosophy and structure, including salary bands, bonus frameworks, and benefits competitiveness.
• Design and lead talent acquisition strategies to improve recruiting processes and reduce costs.
• Organize and modernize employee files, policies, and procedures to improve accessibility and compliance.
• Lead the RFP process for HR/benefits vendors and provide cost-saving strategies to leadership.
• Support change management during organizational shifts.
• Act as a trusted advisor and problem-solver in real time when employee or manager issues arise.
• Champion diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives that reflect company values and community.
• 10+ years of progressive HR/People leadership experience, with at least 5 years in a director-level or head of HR role.
• Demonstrated ability to service as a business partner to leadership, balancing employee advocacy with organizational priorities.
• Proven track record of building HR functions in a high-growth or evolving organization.
• Deep knowledge of HR compliance, employee relations, and labor regulations.
• Experience managing PEO relationships and/or transitioning away from PEOs.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to create systems and structure from scratch.
• Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills, able to influence and inspire at all levels.
• Analytical mindset with the ability to develop and interpret people data and reporting.
• Demonstrated ability to handle sensitive issues with discretion and sound judgment.
• Telecom or technology industry experience is a plus but not required.

Qualifications:

Collaborative team leader who can lead change, provide a mentoring environment, and bring effective communication to all.

Experience with managing vendors and partners.

Service-oriented mindset with a focus on internal customer satisfaction.

Confident and proactive decision-maker with strong troubleshooting instincts.

High degree of professionalism, integrity, and discretion when handling sensitive data

Comfortable working cross-functionally with teams across Sales, Operations, Finance, and Engineering.

Preferred Qualifications, Experience, and Education:

• Experience building or scaling HR functions in small companies or startups.
• Familiarity with HR best practices, compliance, and relevant legislation.
• B.A. or B.S. Undergraduate Degree.
• Professional associations membership – SHRM Society of Human Resource Management, or similar, preferred.