Kaajal, Director, People & Culture at Compass Diversified: Advize Career Interview

A Director, People & Culture at Compass Diversified, built a human resources function from the ground up, juggling daily administrative tasks with strategic planning.

This dynamic role demands adaptability, strong risk management, and emotional intelligence, fueled by a genuine passion for people.

The most rewarding aspect is the innovative "creation mode" of building a new department, supported by a strong leadership team.

Despite challenges adapting to the fast-paced finance industry, the transferable skills and continuous learning opportunities make this career path exciting.

The ideal candidate is a hard worker driven to excel, understanding that plans change daily. Entry-level opportunities include HR rotational programs and internships, with networking on LinkedIn highly recommended.

Successfully navigating this field involves interviewing potential bosses to ensure a good fit for mentorship and growth, prioritizing work during undergraduate studies to gain valuable experience, and finding a powerful "why" to drive academic and professional success.

Advizer Information

Name

Job Title

Company

Undergrad

Grad Programs

Majors

Industries

Job Functions

Traits

Kaajal Ali

Director, People & Culture

Compass Diversified

Santiago Canyon College (Associates Degree) and Chapman University (Bachelors Degree)

M.A. Human Communication at California State University, Fullerton and currently perusing my Executive MBA at University of Michigan, Ross

Communications

Finance (Banking, Fintech, Investing)

Human Resources (HR)

Worked 20+ Hours in School, Greek Life Member, Transfer Student, First Generation College Student

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Career Path Of A Director People And Culture At Compass Diversified

Kaajal, a Director of People & Culture at Compass Diversified, is building the company's human resources function from the ground up, a task that involves "leadership development," "employee development," and competitive recruiting strategies. This includes managing benefits administration and ensuring the company remains competitive in its talent acquisition and retention efforts.

Career Path Of A Director People And Culture At Compass Diversified

Main Responsibilities Of A Director People And Culture At Compass Diversified

Kaajal, a Director of People & Culture, describes a dynamic role where "no day is the same," balancing daily administrative tasks like benefits management with strategic planning aligned with broader organizational goals. This includes actively building their department and prioritizing employee engagement as a "people-serving function," consistently interacting with and listening to all levels of the organization.

Main Responsibilities Of A Director People And Culture At Compass Diversified

A Day in the Life of a Director People and Culture at Compass Diversified

A Director of People & Culture needs to be highly adaptable, handling unexpected tasks and shifting priorities, as "your day changes and ebbs and flows". Success also hinges on strong risk management, emotional intelligence to navigate challenging conversations, and a genuine love for working with people, because "every single aspect of the role is keeping people focused in mind".

A Day in the Life of a Director People and Culture at Compass Diversified

Skills for a Director of People and Culture at Compass Diversified

Kaajal, Director, People & Culture at Compass Diversified, most enjoys the "creation mode" of building a new HR department from the ground up, allowing for significant innovation. This is coupled with their enthusiasm for the company's leadership team and their shared vision, enabling Kaajal to execute HR strategies with excitement.

Skills for a Director of People and Culture at Compass Diversified

Challenges Of Being A Director People And Culture At Compass Diversified

Kaajal's biggest challenge as Director, People & Culture at Compass Diversified is adapting to changing circumstances; the need to "start over again" when initial plans become obsolete highlights the importance of adaptability and reassessment in their role, a crucial skill for navigating the dynamic nature of the field.

Challenges Of Being A Director People And Culture At Compass Diversified

Biggest Challenges Faced by a Director People and Culture at Compass Diversified

Kaajal, a Director of People & Culture, finds the "fast-paced" and ever-evolving nature of the finance industry most enjoyable, a departure from their prior experience in medical devices. The transferable skills of human resources allow for continuous learning, with Kaajal highlighting that "the fundamentals aren't going anywhere," making this career path both exciting and rewarding.

Biggest Challenges Faced by a Director People and Culture at Compass Diversified

Favorite Parts of Working in the Finance Industry as a Director People and Culture

Kaajal, a Director of People & Culture, highlights the importance of a strong work ethic in the finance industry, stating that those who "really want to drive and really excel" are most likely to thrive. The ideal candidate is a "hard worker" and a "go-getter," possessing the drive necessary to succeed in such a demanding field.

Favorite Parts of Working in the Finance Industry as a Director People and Culture

What Type Of Person Thrives In Business, According To A Director People And Culture At Compass Diversified

Kaajal, a Director of People & Culture, reflects on a crucial lesson learned: "what may be something that you have planned for today, may not be the same plan that you have for tomorrow," emphasizing the importance of adaptability and accepting that unforeseen changes are inherent in business and working with people. This highlights the dynamic nature of the industry and the need for flexible career planning.

What Type Of Person Thrives In Business, According To A Director People And Culture At Compass Diversified

What A Director Of People And Culture At Compass Diversified Wishes They Knew Before Human Resources

Kaajal, a Director of People & Culture, suggests undergraduate students explore "HR rotational programs" and "HR internships" as entry-level options in the field, also recommending reaching out to HR leaders on LinkedIn to learn about career paths and open doors; this networking approach demonstrates the importance of proactive career exploration.

What A Director Of People And Culture At Compass Diversified Wishes They Knew Before Human Resources

Career Advice for Aspiring Directors People and Culture

Kaajal, a Director of People & Culture, stresses the importance of interviewing potential bosses, emphasizing that a "good boss is critical," and advising job seekers to ensure "that person meshes with you" to facilitate learning and career growth. This approach, she explains, is vital for career success.

Career Advice for Aspiring Directors People and Culture

College Experiences That Helped A Director Of People And Culture At Compass Diversified Succeed

Kaajal, a Director of People & Culture, emphasizes the critical importance of "interviewing your potential boss" during the job search process, highlighting the need for compatibility and mentorship as crucial factors impacting career success. The advice underscores the significant role a good manager plays in shaping an individual's professional growth and development.

College Experiences That Helped A Director Of People And Culture At Compass Diversified Succeed

How Work Experience Has Influenced A Director Of People And Culture At Compass Diversified's Career

Kaajal, a Director, People & Culture, emphasizes the importance of "prioritizing work" during undergraduate studies to gain valuable experience. This includes internships and other jobs to build a resume and "jump ahead" in the career field, fulfilling experience requirements employers seek.

How Work Experience Has Influenced A Director Of People And Culture At Compass Diversified's Career

Advizer Personal Links

https://www.linkedin.com/in/kaajal-ali-schwartz/