Director of People

The Director of People provides strategic leadership and operational oversight for all HR functions. This role partners closely with the CPO and executive leadership to align people strategy with business goals, strengthen organizational culture, ensure legal compliance, and develop high-performing teams. The Director of HR serves as a trusted advisor to leaders and is a champion for employees.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Strategic Leadership

• Develop and execute HR strategies that support long-term growth.
• Advise executive leadership on workforce planning, organizational design, and change management.
• Lead HR initiatives related to culture, engagement, DEI, and talent development.

Employee Relations & Engagement

• Responsible for entire employee lifecycle from hire to departure.
• Provide strategic HR directions to our department leaders to enable business objectives to be achieved.
• Diagnose opportunities to improve the performance of the organization utilizing tools to measure organizational effectiveness (e.g., 360 feedback surveys, employee metrics, benchmarking data, external market and industry trends).
• Lead change management initiatives with organizational leaders to address business priorities.
• Coach and consult managers and employees on issues affecting morale, performance, and development to help determine root causes and recommend appropriate strategies.
• Foster a positive, inclusive issues, and compliant workplace culture.
• Address employee relations issues, investigations, and conflict resolution.
• Serve as a resource to managers on coaching, discipline, and employee development.

Talent Management

• Oversee recruitment, selection, onboarding, and retention strategies.
• Lead performance management, succession planning, and leadership development programs.
• Manage performance improvement plans, assist managers with monitoring progress and develop programs for employee check-ins.
• Oversee Learning and Development Programs including development and improvement and ensure that training content is appropriate for each position.
• Oversee individual development plans and ongoing initiatives of the performance cycle.
• Oversee annual engagement survey action planning.
• Ensure competitive compensation, benefits, and incentive programs.

Compliance & Risk Management

• Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local employment laws and regulations.
• Maintain HR policies, procedures, and employee handbooks.
• Manage audits, employment claims, and risk mitigation strategies.
• Contribute to the development and execution of employee total rewards including compensation strategy, benefits, and other rewards programs.

HR Operations

• Oversee HR systems, data analytics, and reporting.
• Manage HR budget and vendor relationships (benefits, payroll, training).
• Lead and develop the HR team, setting clear goals and accountability.

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities:

• Strong knowledge of employment law and HR best practices.
• Experience with exempt and non-exempt in a QSR or hospitality environment in California and Texas preferred.
• Strategic thinker with hands-on execution capability.
• Experience managing processes and projects with multiple stakeholders.
• Experience with senior stakeholders, program design/management, and change management.
• Proven ability to work independently and exercise discretion and independent judgement, with high levels of discretion, integrity, and sound judgment.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Proven ability to influence and partner with executives and managers.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or related field (Master’s degree preferred).
• 7 to 10 years of progressive HR experience, including leadership responsibility.
• Experience supporting senior leadership and managing multi-site or growing organizations.
• SHRM-SCP, SPHR, or equivalent certification preferred.

Physical Requirements:

• This position operates in a professional office environment which is generally free of hazards and exposure to adverse environmental conditions.
• This position requires regular attendance on-site in the Dallas, Texas office.
• This position routinely operates standard office equipment such as computers and phones.
• Primary functions require sufficient physical ability and mobility to work in an office setting.

Additional Information

• Our client offers competitive salaries, bonuses, medical/dental/vision insurance, prescription drug coverage, 401(k) plan (after 12 months of employment), sick pay, PTO and holiday pay, profit sharing plan (after 90 days of employment), annual food & beverage allowance (prorated for hire date), and company discounts of 30%.

A job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of all activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change, or new ones may be assigned at any time with or without notice.

All candidate information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.