HR Director: Compliance & Employee Relations

Who we are:
Taher, Inc. is a Minnesota-based, family-owned and operated, chef-driven, food service management company providing K-12 school lunch management, campus dining, senior dining, corporate dining and catering, and vending and office beverage services to clients in our growing nationwide footprint. Taher, Inc. maintains a consistent presence in Food Service Management's Top 25 companies.

 

Job Description: Director, Compliance & Employee Relations 

Position Title: Director, Compliance & Employee Relations 
Reports To: Vice President of Human Resources 
Location: Minnetonka, Minnesota 

 

Position Summary 

The Director of Compliance & Employee Relations leads the organization’s efforts to maintain a fair, safe, and legally compliant workplace. This role is responsible for employment law compliance, workplace safety & wellness programs, workers’ compensation administration, and employee relations strategy and execution. Serving as the internal advisor for investigations, policy development, and risk mitigation, the Director ensures consistent and equitable practices across the organization. 

As a key member of the HR leadership team, the Director partners with the Director of Employee Development and Director of Payroll & Benefits to deliver a comprehensive people strategy while managing and developing a small team of Corporate HR Generalists. 

 

Key Responsibilities 

Compliance & Risk Management 

• Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local employment laws (EEO, ADA, FMLA, ERISA, OSHA, wage & hour, etc.). 

• Oversee the design, implementation, and communication of HR policies, handbooks, and procedures. 

• Conduct compliance audits, reporting, and risk assessments. 

• Act as liaison with regulatory agencies, and external auditors. 

• Proactively identify compliance risks and recommend mitigation strategies. 

Workers’ Compensation & Leave Management 

• Administer the organization’s quasi self-insured workers’ compensation program, ensuring proper claims management, case resolution, and cost containment. 

• Partner with insurance carriers, third-party administrators (TPAs), and state agencies to ensure timely and compliant handling of claims. 

• Oversee return-to-work programs, modified duty, and accommodation coordination in partnership with HR Generalists and managers. 

• Analyze claims data and trends to reduce injuries, costs, and risks. 

Safety & Wellness 

• Provide oversight of workplace safety programs, including OSHA compliance and incident management. 

• Partner with operations and company leaders to strengthen safety culture and implement preventive programs. 

• Lead wellness initiatives that support physical, mental, and emotional wellbeing. 

Employee Relations & Investigations 

• Lead the oversite of investigations into workplace complaints, harassment, discrimination, misconduct, and policy violations through support of our Regional HR personnel. 

• Ensure fair, consistent, and legally sound resolution of employee relations issues. 

• Coach and advise managers, HR managers, and HRBP’s on conflict resolution, disciplinary action, and performance management. 

• Track and analyze employee relations and safety trends to inform proactive interventions. 

• Work with HR teams to ensure that training for leaders on respectful workplace practices, complaint handling, and compliance topics is successfully executed and measured for impact. 

Leadership & Collaboration 

• Lead, mentor, and develop a team of corporate HR Generalists, ensuring growth and capability in compliance, ER, and workers’ comp support. 

• Collaborate with HR leadership peers to ensure alignment in service delivery, communication, and employee experience. 

• Advise senior leaders on sensitive employee matters, workers’ comp risks, and compliance implications. 

• Represent HR in cross-functional initiatives related to compliance, safety, and employee relations. 

 

Qualifications 

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Safety Management, or related field required; Master’s or JD preferred. 

• Experience: 

• 8–10 years of progressive HR experience, with at least 5 years in compliance, employee relations, or workplace investigations. 

• Direct experience administering a self-insured or quasi self-insured workers’ compensation program. 

• Demonstrated experience leading complex investigations and managing compliance programs. 

• Proven success developing HR team members and coaching leaders. 

• Skills: 

• Strong knowledge of employment law, workers’ comp administration, and OSHA requirements. 

• Exceptional communication, facilitation, and conflict resolution skills. 

• Ability to maintain strict confidentiality and professionalism. 

• Strong analytical and decision-making abilities. 

 

Key Competencies 

• Integrity & Confidentiality – Upholds the highest ethical standards in investigations, case management, and decision-making. 

• Risk Awareness & Regulatory Expertise – Anticipates and mitigates compliance, legal, and workers’ compensation risks while ensuring alignment with federal, state, and organizational regulations. 

• Collaboration – Partners effectively with HR, operations, legal, and leadership teams to achieve organizational goals. 

• Leadership – Builds team capability, fosters accountability, and models professionalism in high-stakes environments. 

• Employee Advocacy – Balances compliance, workplace safety, and employee wellbeing with fairness and empathy. 

• Professionalism & Emotional Intelligence – Demonstrates composure, discretion, and strong interpersonal skills in handling sensitive matters, conflict resolution, and organizational change.