People & Culture Manager

About Mainland

Mainland is a dynamic marketing and communications firm catering to franchise brands and expanding businesses. We emphasize a high-performance culture grounded in accountability, clear communication, urgency, and dedication to excellence. Rapid growth demands more than standard HR administration; we seek a seasoned people leader who guides managers through challenging situations and ensures consistent enforcement of expectations.

The Role

We invite applications for the Employee Relations & People Operations Manager to oversee daily people functions company-wide. This active leadership role requires someone comfortable initiating direct conversations rather than providing mere advice. Collaborating closely with the COO, CEO, and department heads, you will address performance challenges, coach management, enhance accountability, recruit and onboard talent, and develop people systems that foster a high-performing environment. Effective judgment combined with strong execution is key—you will know when to listen, coach, document, or have candid conversations promptly.

Core Responsibilities

• Lead difficult discussions on employee performance, behavior, attendance, and workplace standards.
• Coach managers at all stages of performance conversations.
• Draft and deliver formal documentation such as warnings and improvement plans.
• Conduct and manage investigations with appropriate recommendations.
• Support termination procedures when necessary.
• Address employee concerns quickly, fairly, and consistently.
• Detect recurring leadership or people challenges before escalation.
• Empower managers to provide direct feedback, enforce policies, and uphold employee accountability.
• Challenge avoidance and weak documentation, and partner closely with leadership to translate expectations into measurable standards.
• Manage end-to-end recruitment including job postings, screening, interviewing, offer management, reference checks, and pre-employment procedures.
• Create onboarding experiences emphasizing clarity, accountability, and connection from day one; track new hire performance to spot early issues.
• Maintain accurate records, HR policies, documentation, and systems using tools like Gusto; ensure compliance across multiple states.
• Review and enhance company policies and employee communications; collaborate with external employment counsel as needed.
• Safeguard confidentiality and exercise sound judgment in handling sensitive matters.
• Foster Mainland’s standards, values, and culture through employee engagement and communication efforts.
• Identify leadership or process friction points and contribute to building a workplace that rewards strong performance and addresses shortcomings.
• Balance employee advocacy with organizational needs.

Candidate Profile

• 6 to 10 years of advancing experience in human resources or people operations.
• Minimum 3 years focused on employee relations with hands-on involvement in difficult conversations, investigations, formal warnings, and terminations.
• Demonstrated success coaching managers facing performance or behavior challenges.
• Deep knowledge of employment laws and compliance across multiple states.
• Experience thriving in founder-led, entrepreneurial, or fast-paced environments.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills.
• Comfortable engaging and challenging senior leadership as needed.
• Ability to act swiftly without compromising judgment or consistency.
• Highly organized with strong follow-through.
• Adaptable to high expectations and direct feedback cultures.

Preferred Qualifications

• Background in agencies, professional services, or companies with 30 to 150 employees.
• Certifications such as SHRM-CP, SHRM-SCP, PHR, or SPHR.
• Experience with HR information systems like Gusto.
• Track record of building or improving performance management frameworks.
• Recruitment experience across entry-level to leadership roles.

Success Measures

• Established effective, consistent procedures for handling and documenting performance issues within six months.
• Built trust and credibility across employees, managers, and senior leadership.
• Enhanced manager confidence and quality in leading performance discussions.
• Elevated recruiting, candidate screening, and onboarding effectiveness.
• Reduced ambiguity and delays in addressing employee matters.
• Improved policy consistency and operational excellence in people management.
• Increased transparency around performance, culture, and organizational risks.

Cultural Fit

Ideal candidates are straightforward, pragmatic, and ready to take initiative. They do not shy away from difficult conversations or defer action. They understand that employee care must be balanced with accountability for a healthy organization. Outstanding HR contributions go beyond record-keeping or engagement—they focus on enabling right hires to thrive, aiding managers in their leadership roles, and proactively resolving problems before they escalate.

Additional Information

• Location: Chicago, Illinois, requiring three in-office days weekly.
• Employment Type: Full-time.
• Salary Range: $90,000 to $110,000 annually, dependent on experience.
• Reporting Structure: Reports directly to the Chief Operating Officer.
• Mainland is committed to equal opportunity employment and evaluates applicants without discrimination based on legally protected characteristics.