People Director

LEGOLAND Parks • Goshen, NY

2d • $120,000 - $140,000

About The Position

As the People Director for LEGOLAND New York, you will serve as a strategic and commercially minded business partner to the attraction and Gateway leadership teams. This role is pivotal in aligning business priorities with people strategy—driving high performance, shaping an inclusive culture, and ensuring every Model Citizen feels connected, empowered, and inspired.
You will influence transformation, develop leaders, and champion an environment where innovation and belonging thrive—all while embodying The Merlin Way values: We Care, Own Your Craft, Go Together, Drive & Discover, and Enjoy the Ride.

Requirements

• 10+ years in HR/People leadership with 3+ years supporting multi-functional SLTs.
• Strong expertise in people strategy, talent management, and organizational development.
• Skilled in leading through influence across matrixed and regionally dispersed teams.
• Experience handling complex ER and union matters.
• Solid understanding of compensation, benefits, and workforce planning.
• Bachelor’s degree in HR, Business, or related field.
• Proficient in HR systems, analytics, and MS tools; familiarity with AI in HR is a plus.
• Commercially astute; connects people strategy to performance outcomes.
• Trusted advisor and coach; skilled at navigating senior-level relationships.
• Data-driven decision-making and workforce insights.
• Understands and supports site strategy through continuous improvement.
• Clear, confident communicator across all levels.
• Thrives in diverse, international settings.
• Resolves challenges with practical, commercially sound solutions.
• Curious, innovative, and a champion of modern people practices.
• Explores diverse perspectives, asks with intent, and embraces learning.
• Sets clear goals, takes accountability, and drives performance outcomes.
• Collaborates across boundaries and celebrates collective success.
• Coaches, empowers, and invests in others’ growth and potential.

Nice To Haves

• Experience in a shared services or multi-site environment preferred.

Responsibilities

• Partner with the Site Leadership Team to deliver a forward-thinking people plan aligned with commercial goals.
• Translate business measures into actionable people strategies.
• Lead organizational change initiatives and drive adoption of RAPIDs/RACIs.
• Serve as a thought partner, translating business challenges into people solutions.
• Coach and empower leaders to build high-performing, inclusive teams.
• Partner with Centers of Excellence (CoEs) to enhance leadership capability and management skills.
• Lead talent and succession planning, ensuring a robust internal pipeline aligned with attraction priorities.
• Partner with the People Hub and regional spokes to deliver effective workforce planning.
• Embed efficient ways of working and decision-making frameworks (RAPIDs/RACIs).
• Champion change adoption across the attraction and influence culture transformation.
• Develop and deliver the attraction’s engagement and communication plan with leaders and Internal Comms.
• Drive two-way communication and foster an engaged, feedback-driven culture.
• Represent and elevate the Merlin employer brand internally and externally.
• Deliver pay and benefits cycles in line with divisional principles and budgets.
• Support pay equity and recognition programs that celebrate performance and belonging.
• Activate the belonging strategy through site-level initiatives.
• Champion diversity, equity, and inclusion across all attraction teams.
• Use data insights to inform decisions and track key HR KPIs.
• Ensure compliance with labor laws and policies, minimizing risk exposure.
• Leverage systems and AI tools to enhance efficiency and the employee experience.
• Manage complex ER issues (including union matters) in collaboration with Legal Counsel.
• Partner with the NA People Hub to ensure seamless operations across the region.

Benefits

• Competitive Salary
• Generous PTO
• Affordable Health Plans
• Global Access Pass: free entry to all Merlin attractions worldwide! Your golden ticket extends to family and friends, unlocking a world of wonder.
• Secure Your Future: Safeguard your legacy with company-paid life insurance
• Continued Growth: Expect continuous growth in an exciting, global organization that values your journey.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Number of Employees: 1,001-5,000 employees