Austin HR Consulting: Texas-Specific Compliance, Training & Investigations
Strategic HR consulting for Austin's tech ecosystem, government agencies, and higher education—designed for rapid scaling, hybrid work models, and competitive talent markets.
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About the Expert
Expert: Dr. Thomas W. Faulkner, DBA, SPHR, LSSBB — strategic HR & process improvement for tech companies, municipalities, and higher education institutions.
- Education: Doctor of Business Administration; MBA; M.S. in Leadership & Management
- Credentials: SPHR · Lean Six Sigma Black Belt
- Roles: Former municipal HR/Finance Director; advisor to startups & scale-ups across Texas
- Publications: Texas HR Compliance Guide; Scaling HR Systems whitepaper
- Frameworks: MERITAS™ change model · M.I.S.F.I.T.™ structural culture diagnostic · CIVIC performance model
- Focus Areas: Rapid scaling HR infrastructure, hybrid work policies, equity compensation, and talent retention strategies
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Austin's explosive growth and unique blend of tech innovation, government presence, and academic excellence creates distinct HR challenges. We deliver virtual consulting that bridges startup agility with Texas compliance while helping organizations compete for top talent in a hypercompetitive market.
Who We Serve in Austin
We support tech startups, scale-ups, City of Austin departments, Travis County entities, UT System, ACC, state agencies, and professional services firms. Deliverables align with agile methodologies, board reporting requirements, and the fast-paced innovation culture that defines Austin's economy.
- Tech startups and scale-ups (Seed to IPO)
- City of Austin departments and utilities
- Travis County and special districts
- UT System, ACC, and Austin ISD
- State agencies and government contractors
- Professional services and creative agencies
How Our Virtual Delivery Works
We integrate with your tech stack, coordinate around sprint cycles and council meetings, and deliver with the velocity Austin organizations expect. Virtual delivery eliminates traffic delays and enables real-time collaboration across distributed teams.
Austin-Specific Capabilities
Hypergrowth HR Systems
Infrastructure that scales from startup to unicorn without breaking.
Hybrid Work Excellence
Policies that balance flexibility, equity, and productivity for distributed teams.
Talent War Strategies
Compete effectively against FAANG companies and funded startups.
Tech-Savvy Investigations
Digital evidence handling, Slack/email forensics, and remote interview protocols.
Local Considerations in Austin
Austin's rapid growth, tech dominance, and creative culture create specific HR needs. Policies must address equity compensation, remote work flexibility, diversity initiatives, and the innovation mindset that attracts talent to Austin over Silicon Valley.
Startup Velocity
HR systems that match the speed of Austin's tech ecosystem.
Talent Competition
Strategies to compete with unlimited PTO and six-figure packages.
Culture Preservation
Maintaining "Keep Austin Weird" culture during rapid scaling.
Government Innovation
Modernizing public sector HR to attract tech talent.
Austin HR Consulting — FAQs
Answers to the most common questions from Austin employers in tech, government, higher education, and professional services.
Do you provide HR compliance consulting for Austin tech companies?
Yes. We specialize in Texas-specific HR compliance including wage and hour law, employee classification, stock option policies, and workplace investigations for Austin tech companies and startups.
Can you support HR investigations in Austin workplaces?
Yes. We conduct impartial, defensible workplace investigations for tech companies, universities, and government entities, ensuring compliance with Texas and federal standards.
Do you design hybrid work policies for Austin employers?
Yes. We create comprehensive hybrid and remote work policies that balance flexibility with accountability, addressing equity between remote and in-office teams common in Austin's tech ecosystem.
How do you support rapid scaling for Austin startups?
We build scalable HR infrastructure that grows from seed to Series C+, including compliant hiring processes, equity compensation frameworks, and performance systems that maintain culture during hypergrowth.
Do you work with Austin's government and higher education sectors?
Yes. We support City of Austin departments, Travis County, UT System, ACC, and state agencies with compliance audits, investigations, and training aligned to public sector requirements.
How do you address talent retention in Austin's competitive market?
We develop retention strategies including competitive compensation benchmarking, career progression frameworks, and culture initiatives that help you compete with FAANG companies and funded startups.
What is the typical project start time for Austin employers?
Most projects start within 1–2 weeks of scoping. Virtual delivery speeds kickoff and aligns with agile sprints and council meeting schedules.
Serving Greater Austin
Virtual delivery for employers across Austin & Travis County: Round Rock, Cedar Park, Pflugerville, Georgetown, Leander, Buda, Kyle, Lakeway, and surrounding communities.
Useful Local Resources
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Ready to scale your Austin organization?
We'll scope a predictable virtual engagement tailored to your startup, agency, or institution needs.
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