Performance & Employee Relations Specialist

Brand:    Direct Digital Holdings

Job Title: People & Culture, Performance & Employee Relations Specialist

Job Type: Full-Time

Location: Hybrid (Houston, TX)

About Us

Direct Digital Holdings (Nasdaq: DRCT) is a leading advertising and marketing technology platform that collectively delivers marketing solutions through its three brands in the Digital Advertising and AdTech industry: Colossus SSP and Orange 142. As the 9th Black-owned company to go public in the U.S., we take immense pride in our role as industry trailblazers to help brands, middle market companies, Fortune 500 and agencies deliver successful marketing results that drive return on investment and strategic growth objectives. Direct Digital Holdings is not just shaping the present; we’re paving the way toward providing Digital Advertising for Everyone.

The Opportunity

Direct Digital Holdings is seeking a Performance & Employee Relations Specialist to join the People & Culture team.

The Performance & Employee Relations Specialist will play a critical role in supporting the organization’s workforce by managing performance processes, fostering positive employee relations, and ensuring compliance with employment regulations. This individual will serve as a key resource for both managers and employees, guiding them through onboarding, training, performance management, and employee relations matters. This is a hybrid position located in Houston, Texas.

Responsibilities

• Partner with managers to implement performance management programs, including goal setting, progress monitoring, feedback, coaching, and evaluations.
• Review and align employee goals with organizational objectives while ensuring compliance with legal and documentation standards.
• Develop training materials and performance programs to enhance employee understanding of job responsibilities.
• Guide managers through Promotion Requests, Performance Success Plans, and SMART goal development.
• Audit employee data within ADP and shared files for accuracy; manage updates and generate reports for internal and external partners.
• Maintain compliance documentation, including the company's Affirmative Action Plan and annual EEO-1 reporting.
• Act as the primary contact for HR policy and procedure inquiries, resolving employee relations issues promptly and professionally.
• Support positive workplace culture by addressing grievances, conducting investigations, and training managers on progressive discipline.
• Partner with leadership to develop career ladders, providing employees with clear growth opportunities.
• Research, draft, and implement HR policies, templates, and communication materials.
• Streamline HR services through improved processes, technology, and automation.
• Oversee voluntary and involuntary separations, including termination meetings, exit interviews, severance agreements, and offboarding processes.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in human resources, Business Administration, or related field (or equivalent experience).
• 3+ years of experience in performance management, employee relations, or related HR functions.
• Strong knowledge of federal, state, and local employment regulations.
• Proficiency with HRIS systems (ADP Workforce Now strongly preferred).
• Excellent communication, interpersonal, and conflict resolution skills.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and exercise sound judgment in sensitive matters.
• Strong analytical and reporting skills with attention to detail.
• Proven ability to build relationships and collaborate across all levels of the organization

Compensation

Base salary plus annual bonus and benefits.

Benefits

Our “Culture of Care” philosophy is important to us, and we recognize that each member of our team contributes to creating and maintaining an environment of open communication, respect, professionalism, fun, and caring for those we work with.

We place a high value on work-life balance and offer a hybrid work environment as well as flexible PTO.

We also care about your health and well-being, and strive to deliver above market health, vision, dental, short- and long-term disability, and life insurance benefits at no cost to our employees.

We encourage you to take initiative in your health through gym membership reimbursements and incentive wellness programs.

Furthermore, we want to help you financially plan for your future by offering a 401(k) plan with a match, free financial coaching/counseling and student loan assistance and tuition reimbursement.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Direct Digital Holdings LLC is an equal opportunity organization. We recruit, employ, train, compensate, and promote without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, disability, protected veteran status, or any other basis protected by applicable federal, state or local law.