Director of Human Resources - The Nell New York

Nell Hotels•New York, NY

About The Position

The Director of Human Resources provides strategic leadership and oversight of HR functions for The Nell New York, including talent acquisition, onboarding, employee relations, training and development, payroll, HRIS administration, and career development. The role ensures compliance with applicable employment laws and company policies, partners with hotel leadership and corporate HR to advance organizational goals, and supports a positive, inclusive, employee-centric culture. As a brand champion, the Director promotes colleague engagement, community involvement, professional development, and service excellence. This position reports to the VP of Human Resources. The role oversees HR programs and operations, develops and maintains people strategies and policies, advises leaders and managers, leads and develops the HR team, and monitors workforce trends and performance metrics. It also oversees HR budgeting, supports continuous improvement and special projects, and works with legal counsel and corporate HR on employment-related matters and compliance. The position is a regular full-time role. The salary range is $170,000–$200,000, with actual pay dependent on budget and experience; salaried roles are eligible for a bonus. Applications will be accepted until November 29, 2026.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Management, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of relevant education and professional experience.
At least 7 years of progressive Human Resources experience; hospitality experience preferred.
At least 3 years of people leadership experience, with demonstrated ability to lead, develop, and motivate teams.
Proven success leading Human Resources operations within a New York City hotel or comparable hospitality environment.
Strong working knowledge of New York State and New York City employment laws, regulations, and compliance requirements.
Strong leadership, communication, negotiation, and interpersonal skills, with professional integrity and sound business judgment.
Strong analytical skills and attention to detail, including the ability to interpret HR data and generate actionable insights.
Proficiency in HRIS, timekeeping, and talent management systems.
Comprehensive knowledge of talent acquisition, development, and management, including recruitment, leadership competencies, talent assessments, succession planning, and performance management.
Knowledge of workforce analytics, safety, risk management, and current HR trends and best practices.
Understanding and practical application of applicable federal, state, and local employment laws, including FMLA, ADA, ADEA, and EEO requirements.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills and ability to communicate effectively across organizational levels.
Strong organizational and time management skills, with the ability to prioritize responsibilities and meet deadlines.
Ability to stand, type, and sit at a desk or computer for most of the work shift while executing repetitive movements.

Nice To Haves

Prior hotel opening experience.
Professional HR certification, such as PHR, SPHR, or SHRM-CP.
Experience with Kronos and SmartRecruiters.
Knowledge of workers’ compensation claims processing and return-to-work (RTW) processes.
Ability to occasionally lift, push, or pull 25 pounds individually or with assistance.

Responsibilities

Oversee implementation and administration of HR programs, including recruitment, onboarding, compensation, benefits, training and development, employee records, workplace safety, succession planning, employee relations, retention, and equal employment opportunity compliance.
Develop, implement, and maintain HR strategies, policies, and procedures aligned with organizational objectives, including performance management, coaching, counseling, disciplinary action, employee communications, annual performance reviews, and merit planning.
Partner with senior leadership to develop and execute HR strategies supporting business goals, workforce planning, organizational effectiveness, and a positive employee experience.
Analyze workforce trends and key performance metrics, improve processes, and advance productivity, service quality, workplace safety, security, and employee engagement.
Oversee HR budgeting and financial planning, including forecasting resource requirements, monitoring expenditures, analyzing variances, and implementing corrective actions.
Lead special projects and continuous improvement initiatives by identifying priorities, researching solutions, coordinating stakeholders, monitoring milestones, and evaluating outcomes.
Advise management on employee relations, organizational development, talent management, performance, and other people-related matters.
Coach, mentor, and develop the HR team, fostering accountability, collaboration, professional growth, and an employee-centric culture.
Guide managers and employees in consistent application of HR policies, procedures, and organizational values while promoting fairness, accountability, and positive workplace relationships.
Ensure compliance with applicable federal, New York State, and New York City employment laws and regulations; monitor legislative changes, assess business impacts, and advise leadership on appropriate actions.
Partner with legal counsel and corporate HR on employee relations, wage and hour compliance, unemployment claims, workers’ compensation, OSHA requirements, audits, subpoenas, and other employment-related proceedings.
Promote consistent documentation, fair and equitable practices, appropriate escalation, and timely resolution of employee concerns, investigations, and labor-related matters.
Maintain confidentiality, integrity, and security of employee information and sensitive organizational records in accordance with policies and legal requirements.
Maintain current knowledge of HR best practices, industry trends, and regulatory developments through professional development, benchmarking, continuing education, and participation in relevant professional organizations.
Perform other duties as assigned.