Job Description
POSITION SUMMARY: The Director of Human Resources plays a critical leadership role in shaping the employee experience, culture, and people strategy across Apres Cru and its portfolio of businesses. Reporting to executive leadership, this position is responsible for overseeing all aspects of Human Resources, including employee relations, talent acquisition, onboarding, performance management, compliance, organizational development, and workforce planning.
The Director of Human Resources partners closely with company leadership to build scalable systems, policies, and programs that support growth while ensuring compliance across all business entities. As a key culture carrier and trusted advisor, they bring Apres Cru's values to life through every employee interaction and leadership partnership.
This role is highly visible throughout the organization and actively involved in all stages of the employee lifecycle, from new restaurant openings and organizational growth initiatives to leadership coaching, employee relations, and compliance oversight. The Director serves as the primary resource for complex HR matters and is responsible for standardizing and strengthening HR practices that support the long-term success of the company.
The Director of Human Resources manages and develops a team of HR Generalists and works collaboratively with external partners, consultants, and legal counsel as needed. This position requires strong knowledge of federal employment regulations and expertise in California, New York, and Montana labor laws to ensure the organization remains compliant while delivering an exceptional employee experience.
Roles and Responsibilities Leadership and Team Development - Lead, mentor, and develop a team of HR Generalists, establishing clear performance expectations, accountability measures, and professional development plans.
- Ensure HR team members receive ongoing training and remain current on company policies, HR best practices, and federal, state, and local employment laws, including California, New York, and Montana.
- Create scalable HR processes, training materials, and standard operating procedures to support organizational growth and consistency across all locations.
- Serve as a strategic advisor to executive leadership and restaurant management on employee relations, talent management, organizational effectiveness, and compliance matters.
Talent Acquisition and Employee Lifecycle - Oversee all employee lifecycle functions, ensuring consistent execution of recruiting, onboarding, transfers, promotions, performance management, and offboarding processes.
- Develop and maintain systems, policies, and audits that ensure accurate and compliant employee documentation and recordkeeping.
- Partner with operational leadership on workforce planning, staffing strategies, and new restaurant openings.
- Oversee recruitment processes, applicant tracking systems, hiring initiatives, and talent pipeline development.
- Work with the Director of Operations on staffing levels and recruitment trackers for new openings.
Payroll and Benefits - Be a subject matter expert for Paylocity
- Provide oversight of payroll administration to ensure accuracy, compliance, and timely processing across all business entities.
- Establish controls, audits, and reporting processes related to payroll, wage and hour compliance, benefits administration, and employee data management.
- Oversee benefits administration, open enrollment, ACA compliance, and vendor relationships while ensuring employees receive timely and accurate communication regarding benefit offerings.
- Oversee COBRA administration.
- Partner with Finance, Payroll, and external auditors to ensure compliance with all reporting, tax, and audit requirements.
Compliance and Risk Management - Serve as the organization's subject matter expert on federal, state, and local labor laws, with particular expertise in California, New York, Pennsylvania, and Montana employment regulations.
- Oversee HR compliance audits, policy development, investigations, corrective action processes, and employee relations matters.
- Ensure consistent administration of workplace policies, progressive discipline procedures, and performance management programs.
- Manage workers' compensation claims, unemployment claims, employment-related investigations, and regulatory reporting requirements.
- Partner with legal counsel and external advisors to proactively identify and mitigate organizational risk.
Employee Experience and Culture - Champion Apres Cru's culture and values across all locations and business entities.
- Maintain strong relationships with restaurant and corporate leaders while serving as the escalation point for complex employee concerns.
- Oversee employee engagement initiatives, communication strategies, and leadership development programs that support retention and organizational success.
- Foster a culture of hospitality, accountability, inclusion, and continuous improvement throughout the organization.
Core Competencies - Strategic Human Resources Leadership
- Team Development, Coaching & Training
- Multi-State Employment Law Compliance (California, New York, Montana)
- Employee Relations & Workplace Investigations
- Organizational Development & Change Management
- Payroll, Benefits & HRIS Administration
- Risk Assessment & Compliance Management
- Process Improvement & Operational Excellence
- Executive Communication & Influencing Skills
- Workforce Planning & Talent Management
- Data Analysis & HR Reporting
- Hospitality Industry Expertise
Experience & Education - Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Hospitality Management, or related field required; Master's degree preferred.
- 8+ years of progressive Human Resources experience, including leadership responsibility.
- Minimum 3 years of experience managing or developing HR professionals.
- Experience supporting multi-unit restaurant, hospitality, retail, or service-based organizations preferred.
- Demonstrated expertise in employee relations, compliance, payroll, benefits administration, and organizational development.
- Extensive knowledge of federal employment regulations and state-specific labor laws, including California, New York, and Montana.
- SHRM-SCP, SPHR, or equivalent senior-level HR certification preferred.
Additional Skills and Responsibilities - Possess excellent strategic planning skills, with an emphasis on delivering, executing and assessing action plans
- Experience with risk analysis and preemptive risk mitigation
- Proactively communicates to managing partners
- Excellent time management, organizational, strategic thinker and multi-tasker
- Analytical and organizational skills, as well the ability to define and effectively solve and deal with a variety of changing situations
- Creative problem solving skills
- Passion for exceptional hospitality, food, and beverages
- Ability to multitask and exhibit grace under pressure
- Thrive in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial environment
- Self-driven, results-oriented
About Apres Cru Apres Cru is a NY based hospitality company founded by seasoned industry veterans that seek out exciting independent operators looking to expand beyond their four walls. We value culture driven by hospitality, brand equity built on integrity, and a willingness to look at operations and growth differently. We partner with each brand, providing both capital and strategic and operational support as they embark on future growth in restaurants, licensing opportunities, and partnerships. Our growing portfolio currently includes restaurants in NY, Los Angles, Philadelphia, Mexico and Montana with more in the pipeline.
Job Tags
Full time, Local area