Director, People Operations (Contract) at knix

Knix is an award-winning intimate apparel and activewear brand that is re-inventing intimates for real life. Through our innovative products and our engaged community, we are empowering people everywhere to be unapologetically free.  Launched in 2013, we are one of the fastest-growing intimate apparel brands in North America and are globally recognized as an innovator within the apparel space.  We reach over 3 million customers through our online stores, Knix retail locations across North America and channels such as wholesale and Amazon.  We are revolutionizing the apparel industry with our best-in-class customer experience, innovative products and brands Knix and Kt by Knix.  Come join us if you are looking for a purpose-driven and authentic career! At Knix, we are continuing to build a world-class People Team, and we are seeking a highly strategic, innovative, and hands-on Director, People Operations to lead and evolve the full People Operations ecosystem. This role oversees all core People processes including People Operations & analytics, Retail and HQ Business Partnership, and Workplace Experience (inclusive of Office Management). You will lead a team responsible for delivering exceptional employee experience, operational excellence, and strategic enablement across the entire employee lifecycle. As a senior People leader, you will develop deep, high-trust partnerships with Executive, VP, and Director-level leaders serving as a strategic advisor, builder, and thought partner. Your leadership will be critical in creating scalable systems, programs, and processes that support a high-performance culture and a deeply engaged workforce as the organization continues to grow. You will work closely alongside the Director of Talent Acquisition to optimize effectiveness and build a strong People team. This role reports into the Executive Team (Chief People Officer) and manages a team of 5 with potential to grow. About You • You are a strategic People leader who builds credibility quickly and becomes a trusted advisor to senior leaders. • You are hands-on and energized by building programs, systems, and structures from scratch. • You turn data into insights and insights into action, leveraging analytics to guide decisions, measure impact, and inform strategy. • You have deep experience leading People Teams and employee relations with sound judgment and high integrity. • You have a people-first mindset and champion inclusive, equitable practices that strengthen culture and belonging. • You thrive in dynamic environments and are comfortable navigating ambiguity while driving clarity, alignment, and continuous improvement. • You are an innovator who thinks beyond today’s challenges and builds scalable frameworks to support long-term growth. Strategic Leadership & Partnership • Serve as a strategic partner to the Executive Team, and Senior Leadership team (VP & Directors) across HQ and Retail, influencing strategy and organizational decisions with a People-first lens. • Shape and refine Knix’s People Operations strategy, goals, and metrics, ensuring alignment with business objectives and long-term growth plans. • Build deep, trusted relationships that enable proactive coaching, strategic advising, and leadership development. • Lead organizational planning efforts including workforce planning, organizational design, talent strategy, and performance enablement. People Operations, Systems & People Analytics • Oversee all People Operations processes, ensuring accuracy, compliance, efficiency, and exceptional employee experience across all moments of the employee lifecycle. • Own People Analytics, developing dashboards, insights, and reporting that drive strategic decisions, predict risks, and measure key HR metrics. • Lead HRIS evolution and optimization (HiBob), ensuring systems and tools scale with the business. • Ensure compliance with federal, provincial, state, and local employment legislation across Canada and the U.S., partnering with legal counsel where necessary. Business Partnership (HQ & Retail) • Oversee HR Business Partners supporting both HQ and Retail, ensuring consistent, strategic, and high-quality support across the organization. • Expertly advise on complex or escalated employee relations matters, ensuring risk mitigation and values-aligned resolutions. • Build and deploy frameworks for talent planning, performance management, engagement, and leadership coaching across all levels. Talent, Culture & Performance • Oversee annual cycles including performance reviews, goal setting, talent calibration, HiPo identification, and succession planning. • Design and implement people programs that strengthen engagement, development, recognition, and retention. • Champion an inclusive culture, ensuring all programs and policies are equitable, unbiased, and aligned with Knix’s values. Workplace Experience & Office Management • Oversee Workplace Experience, including office management and culture-building initiatives. • Partner closely with the Workplace Experience Specialist to deliver employee engagement programming, DEI initiatives, events, connection opportunities, and office environment enhancements. Program Design & Continuous Improvement • Build scalable People programs from the ground up that support the organization’s evolving needs. • Continuously assess and improve People Operations processes, policies, and employee lifecycle experiences to ensure operational excellence. • Lead cross-functional People initiatives that enhance culture, employee experience, and organizational performance. • Drive operational efficiency through smart process design, clarity of roles, automation opportunities, and best-practice People frameworks. Team Leadership • Lead, mentor, and develop a high-performing People team, fostering clarity, collaboration, accountability, and professional growth. • Build a strong team culture aligned with Knix’s values and long-term People strategy. • Ensure team execution is efficient, strategic, and within budget. Qualifications • Post-secondary education or professional designation in Human Resources. • 3+ years of leadership experience as a Director or Senior Manager overseeing a People/HR function with overall 8–10+ years of progressive HR experience. • Experience supporting both Retail and HQ environments strongly preferred. • Experience leading People Operations functions in a high-growth organization (800+ employees preferred) with a mix of salary and hourly workers. • Expertise in Canadian and U.S. employment legislation; global experience an asset. • Strong analytical skills with experience using HRIS (we use HiBob), People Analytics tools, and benchmarking platforms. • Demonstrated commitment to equity, inclusion, and building strong, diverse teams. • Strong judgment, discretion, and ability to manage complex employee relations and sensitive matters. • Strong problem-solving acumen, operational excellence mindset, and continuous improvement orientation. How we Hire Our people are what make Knix, Knix! Our people are passionate and have a strong belief in our mission. Our people are naturally curious and ambitious by nature. Employees feel respected and supported at Knix. We take an inclusive and equitable approach offering the same interview experience to every candidate we meet with. Knix is an equal opportunity employer, we celebrate everyone and their intersecting identities. We know and believe that diverse and inclusive teams empower us to make better decisions and inspire innovation so that we can better serve our customers and community. We are committed to providing reasonable accommodations and will work with you to meet your needs. If you are a person with a disability and require assistance during the application process, please don’t hesitate to reach out! We celebrate our inclusive work environment and welcome members of all backgrounds and perspectives to apply.