Director of Human Resources - Northwestern University, Ryan Field

Compass Group•Evanston, IL

2d•$85,000 - $95,000

About The Position

Levy is partnering with Northwestern University at Ryan Field to create exceptional hospitality experiences. They are seeking a strategic, hands-on Director of Human Resources to lead the people function at this premier collegiate sports venue. The Director of Human Resources will act as a key business partner to the leadership team, offering HR guidance and support in areas such as recruitment, employee relations, training, compliance, engagement, performance management, and team member development. This role is suited for a thoughtful and proactive HR leader who excels at building relationships, supporting high-volume operations, and fostering a positive workplace culture.

Requirements

Human Resources leadership experience in hospitality, sports and entertainment, food and beverage, retail, campus dining, or another high-volume environment.
Strong knowledge of recruiting, employee relations, compliance, onboarding, and HR best practices.
Ability to build trust with leaders, managers, and team members at all levels.
Comfortable working in a fast-paced, event-driven environment with changing priorities.
Strong communication, organization, and problem-solving skills.
Experience supporting seasonal, hourly, union, or large-scale event staffing preferred.
Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business, or related field preferred; SHRM or HRCI certification a plus.

Nice To Haves

Experience supporting seasonal, hourly, union, or large-scale event staffing
SHRM or HRCI certification

Responsibilities

Serve as the HR leader and strategic partner for the Ryan Field leadership team.
Lead full-cycle recruitment efforts for salaried, hourly, seasonal, and game day team members.
Partner with hiring managers to build staffing plans that support event-day operations and business needs.
Support onboarding, orientation, training, and retention initiatives to create a welcoming and engaging team member experience.
Provide guidance on employee relations, performance management, coaching, and corrective action.
Ensure compliance with company policies, employment laws, union or labor requirements where applicable, and Levy/Compass standards.
Maintain HR systems, team member records, reporting, and other administrative processes.
Champion a culture of inclusion, hospitality, accountability, and team member recognition.
Support leadership development and succession planning for managers and high-potential team members.
Partner with operations before, during, and after events to ensure the team member experience supports an exceptional guest experience.