Director of Human Resources

Le Colonial is seeking a people leader to guide human resources strategy and daily execution across the group, with a focus on compliant, consistent practices and strong talent outcomes. In this onsite role in New York, NY, you will partner with executives and operations to attract, retain, and develop talent across multiple restaurant locations.

The Director of Human Resources is responsible for building a high-performance, service-oriented culture while overseeing core HR programs, workforce planning, and investigations. You will also manage HR technology and reporting to support decision-making across performance management, recruiting effectiveness, and organizational growth.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and carry out the company’s HR strategy in line with business objectives.
• Act as a trusted advisor to executive leadership and support organizational planning and workforce forecasting.
• Build and maintain a service-oriented, high-performance culture across locations.
• Lead recruiting strategy for corporate and restaurant leadership roles, including hiring and onboarding.
• Improve recruiting metrics such as time-to-fill, quality of hire, and turnover; manage recruiting agency and job platform relationships.
• Lead investigations related to harassment, discrimination, ethics, retaliation, and workplace misconduct.
• Coach managers on employee performance, discipline, documentation, and conflict resolution, ensuring fair and consistent policy application.
• Design and administer performance review systems; develop succession planning and leadership development programs.
• Partner with operations leaders on performance improvement initiatives.
• Oversee compensation philosophy, wage structures, and conduct market salary benchmarking.
• Manage employee benefits programs and develop or suggest changes to incentive and bonus plans for management.
• Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local employment laws, including Wage and Hour (FLSA, tip credit, tip pooling, service charges), meal and rest breaks, predictive scheduling, and fair workweek mandates.
• Maintain compliance with workplace requirements including EEOC, ADA, FMLA, OSHA, and I-9 immigration requirements.
• Coordinate with outside employment counsel as needed with the COO.
• Lead company-wide leadership training and onboarding processes, and ensure compliance training is completed annually.
• Track and support ServSafe and responsible alcohol service certifications across locations.
• Support career development and internal promotions.
• Oversee HRIS systems and personnel records, maintain the employee handbook and company policies, and develop SOPs and HR best practices.
• Manage HR reporting and analytics, promote company values and employee engagement, and conduct employee surveys with analysis of results.
• Develop recognition programs and PTO and line-level benefit plans; support diversity, inclusion, and belonging initiatives.
• Direct and develop the Human Resources Department by setting departmental goals and KPIs and managing HR budgets.
• Collaborate with Operations, Finance, Legal, IT, Marketing, and Payroll, and support restaurant openings, acquisitions, and organizational growth.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or related field required.
• 8–10+ years of progressive HR leadership experience in a luxury, fine dining hotel/restaurant environment.
• Minimum 5 years managing multi-unit restaurant or hospitality HR.
• Experience supporting 500+ employees across multiple locations preferred.
• Experience with acquisitions, restaurant openings, and rapid growth environments preferred.
• Extensive knowledge of employment and labor law, HR compliance standards, and employee relations management.
• Skilled in data analysis for HR metrics related to performance management and workforce planning.
• Experience with change management initiatives and process improvements within HR functions.
• Proficient with HRIS (UKG, Workday, ADP, Paycom, or similar) and familiar with restaurant scheduling/payroll platforms (7shifts, HotSchedules, Toast Payroll, or similar).
• Excellent communication skills, including the ability to present complex information clearly to senior leadership and diverse teams.

Technology

• HRIS: UKG, Workday, ADP, Paycom (or similar)
• Scheduling/payroll platforms: 7shifts, HotSchedules, Toast Payroll (or similar)

Benefits

• 401(k)
• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Location & Pay

• Work location: In person (New York, NY)
• Pay: USD 120,000 - 135,000 per year

License/Certification

• Senior Professional in Human Resources (Preferred)