Sr. Manager, Human Resources

Position Summary

The Sr. Manager of Human Resources manages day-to-day HR support for Blue Ops, partnering closely with the Business Unit President and leadership team to address workforce needs, support effective people management, and build a high-performing culture aligned with Red Cat's mission.

Operating within Red Cat's hybrid People model, this position manages the day-to-day delivery of Human Resources for Blue Ops, including employee relations, talent acquisition, performance management, manager coaching, employee engagement, and local HR execution.

The Sr. Manager works closely with Red Cat's centralized People Operations team, which provides enterprise leadership for compensation, benefits, HRIS, payroll, equity administration, enterprise compliance, leadership development, and company-wide HR programs. This role implements enterprise policies and programs, recommends local improvements, and partners with the Vice President, People on matters requiring broader guidance or approval.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

HR Business Partnership

• Serve as the primary HR advisor to the Blue Ops President and leadership team.
• Translate business objectives into practical HR action plans in partnership with the Vice President, People.
• Coach managers on employee performance, team effectiveness, career development, and succession planning processes.
• Build trusted partnerships across all levels of the organization.

Employee Relations

• Manage day-to-day employee relations activities for Blue Ops, escalating complex or high-risk matters to the Vice President, People and appropriate enterprise partners.
• Conduct investigations and resolve employee concerns in a timely, fair, and consistent manner.
• Coach managers through performance management, corrective action, organizational changes, and difficult employee situations.
• Foster a culture of accountability, respect, and high performance.

Talent Acquisition

• Manage recruiting efforts for Blue Ops in partnership with hiring managers.
• Ensure positions are filled quickly while maintaining high hiring standards.
• Partner with Red Cat recruiting resources when appropriate.
• Manage onboarding to accelerate employee integration and productivity.

Organizational Effectiveness

• Implement and coordinate employee engagement initiatives, including Red Cat sponsored initiatives.
• Support organizational design and workforce planning.
• Identify opportunities to improve processes, reduce bureaucracy, and increase organizational effectiveness.
• Champion Red Cat's leadership principles and core values culture.

Leadership Development

• Identify manager development needs and recommend appropriate resources.
• Support implementation of enterprise leadership development initiatives.
• Coach managers on performance management, career development, communication, and team effectiveness.

Policy Implementation & Compliance

• Ensure consistent application of company policies and employment practices.
• Partner with the centralized People Operations team on compliance matters including federal, state, and local employment regulations.
• Escalate complex employment issues requiring enterprise guidance.
• Maintain accurate employment documentation and support internal audits.

Partnership with Centralized People Operations

Work collaboratively with Red Cat's centralized People Operations team to execute enterprise programs including:

• Compensation administration and salary structure implementation
• Benefits administration and employee education
• Payroll coordination
• HRIS data integrity and transactions
• Equity administration
• Enterprise compliance initiatives
• Leadership development programs
• Company-wide HR policies and initiatives

The Sr. Manager provides local execution and feedback while centralized functions maintain enterprise ownership and governance.

Workforce Planning & Headcount

• Partner with business leaders and the Vice President, People to maintain workforce plans that support business objectives.
• Assess staffing needs and provide input on organizational design recommendations.
• Ensure all new headcount requests, organizational changes, and position additions are reviewed through established enterprise approval processes.
• Partner with the Vice President of People on workforce planning and final headcount approvals.

HR Operations

• Manage, coach, and develop the HR Manager, HR Specialist, and Recruiter, setting priorities and ensuring effective delivery of HR services for Blue Ops.
• Ensure timely execution of all local HR processes.
• Maintain accurate personnel documentation.
• Monitor HR metrics and identify trends requiring leadership attention.
• Recommend continuous improvements that increase efficiency and employee experience.

Other Responsibilities

• Manage assigned local HR initiatives.
• Participate in cross-functional enterprise projects.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or related field preferred. Equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered.
• 7 years of progressive Human Resources experience.
• Minimum 2 years managing projects, or a team.
• Strong working knowledge of multi-state employment law.
• Demonstrated experience partnering with business leaders on operational HR and employee matters.
• Experience leading employee relations investigations and conflict resolution.
• Experience supporting recruiting and workforce planning.
• Strong business acumen and ability to balance business needs with employee experience.
• Experience working in matrixed or multi-location organizations preferred.
• Experience with HRIS platforms such as Paycom.
• Excellent communication, influencing, and relationship-building skills.
• High level of professionalism, judgment, and discretion handling confidential information.

Preferred Qualifications

• Aerospace, defense, manufacturing, or government contracting experience.
• SHRM-CP, SHRM-SCP, PHR, or SPHR certification.
• Experience supporting ITAR/EAR regulated organizations.

Success in this Role

Successful candidates will:

• Build strong partnerships with Blue Ops leadership.
• Resolve employee issues quickly and fairly.
• Improve manager effectiveness through coaching and implementation of leadership development programs.
• Execute HR programs with speed while maintaining enterprise consistency.
• Partner effectively with Red Cat's centralized People Operations team.
• Help create a culture that is accountable, agile, and mission focused.

Background Check

This position will require successfully completing a post-offer background check. Qualified candidates with a criminal history will be considered and are not automatically disqualified, consistent with federal and state law.

EEO and ITAR/EAR Work Authorization Disclosure

Red Cat Holdings provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. This position requires direct or indirect access to hardware, software, technology or technical data controlled under the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) and the Export Administration Regulations (EAR). Successful candidates for positions subject to ITAR/EAR restrictions must provide proof of U.S. Citizenship or Permanent Residence and must not require sponsorship for export-restricted work authorization.

E-Verify

The company participates E-Verify ensure eligibility for employment and compliance with Right to Work rules.