Chief People Officer

Creating a world where pets live longer, healthier lives, from their very first meal. Learn more about our brands. We’re Looking For A(n): Chief People Officer Location: Hybrid (El Segundo, CA and/or Burbank/North Hollywood, CA) What You’ll Be Doing: The Chief People Officer (CPO) is a strategic executive responsible for leading the company’s people strategy in alignment with business objectives. As a key member of the executive leadership team, the CPO will drive organizational effectiveness, talent strategy, culture, and compliance. This role requires a leader who can balance high-performance culture building with the rigor, governance, and transparency. Executive Leadership & Strategy Partner with the CEO and Board of Directors (including Compensation Committee) on executive compensation, succession planning, and leadership development Develop and execute a comprehensive people strategy aligned with long-term business goals and market expectations Serve as a trusted advisor to senior leadership on organizational design, workforce planning, and change management Public Company Governance & Compliance Ensure compliance with all applicable labor laws and regulatory requirements Partner with Legal and Finance on proxy disclosures, executive compensation reporting, and SEC-related people disclosures Support Board and Compensation Committee materials, including CD&A (Compensation Discussion & Analysis) Oversee internal controls related to HR processes in alignment with Sarbanes-Oxley (SOX) requirements Talent & Performance Management Build and lead a high-performing HR organization across Talent Acquisition, Total Rewards, HR Business Partners, People Operations, and Learning & Development Oversee executive and enterprise-wide succession planning Drive performance management frameworks tied to company objectives and shareholder value Total Rewards & Executive Compensation Design and manage competitive compensation and equity programs aligned with public market benchmarks Partner with Compensation Committee on executive compensation philosophy, equity plans, and say-on-pay readiness Ensure transparency and competitiveness of compensation practices Culture, Engagement & DEI Champion a strong, values-driven culture that supports business performance and employee engagement Lead Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) strategy with measurable outcomes Oversee employee engagement strategies and action planning People Analytics & Reporting Leverage data and analytics to inform decision-making and provide insights to executive leadership and the Board Develop and report on key workforce metrics, including those relevant to ESG disclosures Ensure accuracy and integrity of people data and reporting Change Management & Transformation Lead organizational transformations, including M&A integration, restructuring, and scaling initiatives Implement change management strategies to support growth and operational excellence Qualifications (Note: We strongly encourage you to apply even if you don’t tick ALL of these boxes.): Deep expertise in executive compensation, governance, and Board engagement Strong knowledge of regulatory requirements, including SEC disclosures and SOX compliance Demonstrated success in scaling organizations and leading through change Exceptional executive presence, communication, and stakeholder management skills Required Education: Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration or Human Resources or closely related field (or equivalent work experience) required Preferred Education: Master’s Degree in HR or Business preferred Required Experience: 15+ years’ experience in an HR leadership role. Proven experience in a publicly traded company environment Experience in scaling a fast growing organization. Experience working in large size organization (revenues greater than $800 million) Preferred Licensure/Certification: SPHR or SHRM-SCP Golden Perks & Benefits: Comprehensive healthcare coverage – We cover 100% of premiums for m…