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Jeffrey A James

Jeffrey A James

Strategic HR Leader | Culture Transformer | Talent & Organizational Development Expert

Location icon Dallas, TX, USA

About

With a career spanning startups to Fortune 200 companies, I specialize in leading transformative HR strategies that elevate employee engagement, optimize talent development, and align culture with business success. I thrive at the intersection of strategy and execution, driving workforce innovation while fostering trust and collaboration at all levels. At Grove Collaborative, I led HR through a pivotal transition, managing a 50% workforce reduction with zero claims, improving performance management, and implementing scalable HR solutions. At Netflix, I played a key role in talent strategy during its DVD era, overseeing acquisitions, site closures, and cultural leadership to preserve trust through transparent communication. My expertise spans organizational change, leadership development, and HR transformation, ensuring people-first solutions that drive growth. Passionate about mentorship and continuous improvement, I bring a data-driven, people-focused approach to optimizing performance and engagement.

Notable Roles

HR Leader – StartupExperts
Head of People Experience – Grove Collaborative
Director, HR Business Partner & Staffing – Netflix

Job Categories

Human Resources

Industries

E-commerce
Distribution/Fulfillment
Retail
Tech

Top Skills

Employee Relations
Employee Engagement
Leadership

Special Interests

Tennis
Travel
Orangetheory
Dog Rescue
Available
Clock icon
Part-time
Full-time
Contract
Fractional
Hybrid
Remote
Onsite

A
Advising
C
Coaching
C
Consulting
F
Fractional Leadership
M
Mentoring

What I Offer

I help organizations elevate their HR strategies to drive engagement, optimize leadership, and align workforce initiatives with business growth. Whether building an HR function from the ground up or refining an established people strategy, I bring deep expertise and a people-first approach to drive results.

Strategic HR Leadership

Aligning HR operations with business strategy to scale organizations effectively.

Culture & Engagement Transformation

Creating high-trust environments that boost retention and performance.

Executive Coaching & Leadership Development

Supporting leaders in navigating change, building resilience, and driving business success.

Ask Me About

Transformational HR Leadership
Competitive Market Retention
Strategic Talent Management
Executive Leadership Coaching
Workforce Restructuring
HR Analytics
Scalable HR Operations

HR Strategy & Leadership Consulting

Helping companies optimize their HR function through tailored strategies that align with long-term goals.

Talent & Culture Transformation

Developing high-performance work cultures that foster engagement, inclusivity, and strategic growth.

Executive Coaching & Leadership Development

One-on-one coaching for executives and leadership teams to refine skills, navigate organizational change, and build strong, adaptable teams.

HR Process Optimization & Compliance

Auditing, refining, and scaling HR processes while ensuring full legal compliance and risk mitigation.

Wisdom at Work

Areas of Expertise

HR Strategy & Workforce Transformation

Expert in aligning HR strategy with business objectives to drive cultural transformation, optimize operations, and enhance employee experience in high-growth and transitioning companies.

Talent Management & Leadership Development

Passionate about building leadership pipelines, coaching executives, and creating performance-driven workplaces that foster innovation, accountability, and long-term success.

Organizational Change & Employee Engagement

Proven ability to guide companies through restructuring, mergers, and workforce shifts while maintaining high levels of engagement, reducing turnover, and ensuring seamless operational continuity.

Key Achievements

Workforce Transition with Zero Claims

Successfully led a 50% workforce reduction at Grove Collaborative with zero legal claims, ensuring transparency, fairness, and trust while maintaining operational excellence.

$500K Cost Savings in Talent Acquisition

Redesigned recruitment processes and transitioned hiring functions in-house, saving over $500,000 annually while improving hiring quality and efficiency.

Culture Leadership at Netflix During Business Transition

Played a key role in organizational restructuring as Netflix transitioned out of its DVD business, ensuring trust, retention, and a seamless people strategy during challenging times.

It is sharing your knowledge and experiences in ways that help others reflect and form their own opinions and ideas.

Summary of Skills

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Jeffrey A James is a member of OpenWater Group — a trusted community and platform where seasoned professionals reimagine success through shared wisdom and meaningful connections.
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