Human Resources Director

Overview

The Human Resources Director provides strategic and operational HR leadership to support the organization’s workforce, culture, compliance, and organizational objectives. The position serves as a trusted partner to leadership and department heads while overseeing employee relations, talent acquisition, benefits, HR systems, performance management, compliance, and employee development.

Responsibilities

Strategic Responsibilities

• Provide strategic HR guidance and consultation to leadership and department heads regarding employee relations, workforce needs, employment practices, policies, and organizational matters.
• Proactively identify and address employee relations concerns, complaints, grievances, and workplace issues, providing appropriate guidance and recommendations for resolution.
• Advise leadership regarding the interpretation and application of HR policies, employment practices, and applicable requirements.
• Develop and recommend HR policy revisions and organizational practices to support operational effectiveness, compliance, and employee engagement.
• Provide strategic oversight of talent acquisition, compensation, performance management, employee development, and retention initiatives.
• Monitor HR trends, workforce data, and organizational needs and provide recommendations to leadership.
• Support compliance with Territorial, National Headquarters, and applicable employment requirements.
• Serve as the HR representative in employment-related proceedings, investigations, and other matters as appropriate.
• Partner with Territorial HR/THQ and other internal and external partners on HR initiatives, compliance, benefits, and organizational priorities.
• Promote employee engagement, recognition, professional development, and a positive organizational culture.

Tactical & Operational Responsibilities

Talent Acquisition & Onboarding

• Manage recruitment activities, including job postings, candidate review, interview coordination, background checks, employment offers, and onboarding.
• Coordinate new employee orientation and completion of required employment documentation, policies, benefits, and compensation information.
• Maintain the Territorial Registry and required background check documentation.

Benefits Administration

• Administer employee benefit programs and serve as a resource to employees regarding benefit eligibility, enrollment, and general benefit questions.
• Coordinate annual open enrollment communications and materials for health plans, voluntary life insurance, FSA, AFLAC, and other benefit programs.
• Maintain employee benefit information and health profiles and coordinate replacement medical cards as needed.
• Coordinate benefits education and presentations with external providers, including Mutual of America, KeyBank, and AFLAC.

Leave Administration

• Administer and coordinate employee leaves, including FMLA, NYPFL, Disability, and other applicable leave programs.
• Support employees throughout the leave and claims process and provide guidance regarding required documentation and procedures.
• Communicate leave status, requirements, and return-to-work information with employees, supervisors, and department heads.
• Complete incident reports and coordinate Workers’ Compensation claims.
• Provide required monthly NYPFL reporting to THQ.

HR Administration

• Maintain accurate and current employee records and HR documentation.
• Process employment verification, Department of Labor/unemployment, employment transfer, and other employee-related requests.
• Process HR transactions, including hires, transfers, and terminations, through applicable systems and approval processes.
• Complete required HR reporting, including the annual EEO Report.
• Coordinate and facilitate employee and supervisor training and serve as the point of contact for compliance training resources, including JJ Keller.
• Participate in HR meetings, conferences, training, and organizational initiatives as requested.

HRIS, Payroll & Data Management

• Maintain accurate employee data within the HRIS and manage UKG employee setup, updates, payroll-cycle reviews, and related system administration.
• Coordinate with THQ HR and payroll regarding employee data, system changes, and key updates.
• Monitor the Focal performance management system and provide payroll with approved merit increase information.
• Conduct periodic salary analysis to ensure compensation remains within established guidelines and thresholds.

Employee Engagement & Recognition

• Coordinate employee recognition programs and organizational events, including Summer Fellowship, employee functions, company picnic, Christmas, retirements, and farewells.
• Coordinate event logistics, including venues, invitations, programs, transportation, headcounts, and related arrangements.
• Secure Spanish-language interpretation and translation to support effective employee communication.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the supervisor.

Qualifications

Bachelor's degree (B.A.) from a four-year college or university and three to five years related experience; or equivalent combination of education and experience.

Strong knowledge of human resources practices, employee relations, and employment policies. Demonstrated ability to advise and collaborate effectively with senior leadership, department heads, supervisors, and employees. Strong interpersonal, conflict-resolution, investigation, and problem-solving skills. Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to communicate sensitive and complex HR matters professionally and effectively. Ability to maintain confidentiality and exercise sound judgment when handling sensitive employee and organizational matters. Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities, deadlines, and confidential matters independently. Proficiency with HRIS, payroll, applicant tracking, performance management, and Microsoft Office systems. Ability to analyze HR data and apply information to compensation, staffing, compliance, and workforce decisions. Bilingual English/Spanish communication skills preferred.

Certifications & Professional Development Professional HR certification preferred (SHRM-CP, SHRM-SCP, PHR, SPHR, or equivalent). Certification or demonstrated training in employment law, employee relations, workplace investigations, FMLA/NYPFL, benefits administration, and HR compliance preferred. Ongoing professional development through HR conferences, compliance training, benefits education, and other relevant programs is expected.