SENIOR DIRECTOR, ASSOCIATE EXPERIENCE & HUMAN RESOURCES

Benchmark Senior Living•Waltham, MA

4d•Onsite

About The Position

The Senior Director, Associate Experience & Human Resources leads Human Resources across Benchmark Senior Living’s communities and Home Office in Waltham, Massachusetts. The role leads seven HR Business Partners and the Home Office HR support team, working closely with Operations and other business partners to deliver consistent, practical HR support and strengthen the associate experience. The position focuses on improving retention, engagement, trust, recognition, succession planning, leadership development, and team effectiveness. It uses workforce data, survey feedback, turnover trends, stay interviews, and associate input to identify needs and put effective actions into practice across communities. The role also provides senior guidance on complex associate relations, investigations, performance issues, employment matters, HR policies, and legal compliance. Regular field presence is expected, with approximately 25–30% travel.

Requirements

10+ years of progressive HR leadership experience.
Experience leading HR Business Partners or a multi-site HR function.
Experience supporting a large frontline workforce.
A track record of improving retention, engagement, leadership effectiveness, and succession.
Strong employee relations and compliance experience.
Practical, hands-on leadership approach; ability to use data, build relationships, develop people, and execute.
Extensive experience with HRIS systems and managing vendor relationships.
Bachelor’s degree required.

Nice To Haves

Experience in senior living, healthcare, hospitality, retail, or another service business is strongly preferred.
SPHR or SHRM-SCP certification.

Responsibilities

Lead, coach, and develop seven HR Business Partners supporting Benchmark’s communities.
Create a consistent and practical HR approach across regions while keeping support close to operations.
Use workforce data to prioritize communities and issues requiring HR support.
Lead company-wide initiatives to improve retention, engagement, trust, recognition, and associate experience.
Use survey feedback, turnover trends, stay interviews, and associate input to develop practical actions with Operations.
Help leaders address people issues early, particularly in high-turnover locations and priority roles.
Lead succession planning and talent reviews for key leadership roles.
Help leaders identify successors, high-potential talent, development needs, and internal career opportunities.
Partner with Learning & Development on leadership development, coaching, mentoring, and career pathways.
Lead HR support for the Home Office, including onboarding, associate relations, performance, engagement, retention, and development.
Lead the Home Office HR support team and partner with leaders on team effectiveness, workforce planning, and organizational needs.
Provide senior guidance on complex associate relations, investigations, performance issues, and employment matters.
Ensure consistent HR policies and practices and legal compliance across Benchmark.
Keep HR processes simple, useful, and easy for leaders and associates to navigate.
Work closely with Operations, Talent Acquisition, Learning & Development, Benefits, Legal, and other partners.
Bring workforce insights and recommendations to the VP of Talent and senior leaders.
Spend meaningful time in communities to understand what is working, what is getting in the way, and where HR can help.