Director of People (Human Resources)

Director Of People

When childhood friends Holly and Shawn stepped away from their corporate careers and started Rook Coffee in 2010, they wanted to make people feel special. Since the beginning, in a 300-square-foot shack, Rook has focused on offering specialty coffees that inspire genuine, human connections.

Rook Coffee is currently seeking energetic and hard-working individuals to continue to make those connections. If you're nice, likable, approachable, a team player, proactive, patient, sociable, positive, reliable, and honest, we'd love to hear from you.

The Director of People at Rook Coffee is a hands-on, strategic, and highly visible leadership role responsible for owning every aspect of the human resources function across our eleven retail locations and growing production operation. Reporting directly to ownership, this role serves as the connective tissue between our corporate leadership team and our hourly workforce. You will build and maintain the systems, culture, and practices that support approximately 200 team members and reflect our founding commitment to making people feel special. If you are genuinely curious about what drives people, naturally approachable, proactive by default, and invested in building something that lasts, you will fit right in here.

Key Responsibilities

• Hiring & Recruiting
• Onboarding & Offboarding
• Employee Relations
• HRIS, Payroll & Benefits
• Performance Management & Compensation
• Training & Development
• Culture, Engagement & Employer Branding
• Compliance, Safety & Workers' Compensation
• Handbook & Work/Life Programming

Job Qualifications

• 5 or more years of progressive HR experience, with at least 2 years in a senior or leadership-level HR role.
• A background in psychology, organizational behavior, or a related field is preferred.
• Genuine curiosity about human behavior, not just HR process. We are actively building a culture where behavioral intelligence is part of how we lead.
• Working knowledge of New Jersey employment law, I-9 compliance, and federal labor regulations.
• Experience with HRIS platforms, payroll systems, and ATS tools (Lever experience a plus).
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to build trust with both hourly and salaried employees.
• High level of discretion and sound judgment in sensitive situations.
• Comfortable operating in a fast-paced, multi-site, operationally driven environment.
• PHR or SHRM-CP certification preferred but not required.

Benefits

• Health insurance
• 401 (k)
• Paid vacation and sick time
• Discounts on coffee and merchandise

$100,000 - $115,000 a year Compensation is based on experience and qualifications. The pay range for this role reflects the full scope of potential compensation and does not represent a guarantee. Actual pay will be determined based on the candidate's relevant experience, skills, and demonstrated ability to meet the requirements of the position.

Rook Coffee Roasters provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability or genetics. In addition to federal law requirements, Rook Coffee Roasters complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.

Rook Coffee Roasters expressly prohibits any form of workplace harassment based on race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, genetic information, disability, or veteran status. Improper interference with the ability of Rook Coffee Roasters' employees to perform their job duties may result in discipline up to and including discharge.