HR Director - People Operations & Performance (Hybrid, LATAM)

About the role

A hands-on HR Director is sought to lead the international People Operations function and build a transparent, performance-driven HR system. The role covers the complete employee lifecycle after hiring: contracts, HR policies, performance management, compensation coordination, employee relations, professional growth, retention, disciplinary matters and offboarding. It is a senior leadership position reporting directly to the CEO.

The work format is hybrid or remote: from the Panama office, in a hybrid format, or fully remotely from another Latin American country. Full daily availability during Panama business hours (9am to 6pm) is mandatory, and occasional business travel may be required. Candidates based in Latin America are strongly preferred.

Key responsibilities

• Lead the international People Operations and HR governance function and develop HR strategy and organizational design support.
• Manage employee and contractor agreements, renewals, HR documentation, employee files, contract trackers and probation records.
• Develop and enforce HR policies and internal procedures.
• Manage performance reviews, KPIs and performance improvement plans.
• Handle employee relations, complaints, conflicts and disciplinary matters.
• Coordinate compensation, bonuses, benefits and payroll information.
• Build promotion, career-development and succession processes, and improve engagement and retention.
• Manage terminations, exit interviews and offboarding.
• Lead and develop the HR Generalist and future People Operations team.
• Maintain HR dashboards and report regularly to the CEO, and cooperate with the Global Talent Acquisition Director on workforce planning and hiring quality.

Required profile

• At least 5 years of experience as an HR Director, Head of HR or senior HR leader.
• University degree required; master's degree preferred.
• Proven experience managing the full employee lifecycle, performance management, employee relations and terminations.
• Experience developing HR policies, managing remote or international teams and leading an HR team.
• Strong knowledge of HR operations, contracts and compensation processes.
• English at C1 level or equivalent, Spanish at C1 level or native proficiency.
• Ability to work independently and communicate directly with the CEO.

What we offer

• Monthly salary from USD 3,500 to 5,000 depending on experience.
• Director-level position with direct access to the CEO and long-term cooperation.
• International scope across Europe and the Americas, with hybrid or fully remote work.
• Opportunity to build and improve the HR function, with real decision-making authority within the approved scope.
• Fixed monthly compensation plus performance-based incentives; contract format depends on the candidate's country of residence.