SENIOR DIRECTOR, ASSOCIATE EXPERIENCE & HUMAN RESOURCES

Benchmark Senior Living•Waltham, MA

5d•Onsite

About The Position

The Senior Director, Associate Experience & Human Resources leads HR 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, delivering consistent, practical HR support while keeping close to operational needs. It builds on existing HR work, with particular focus on retention, engagement, succession, leadership development, and team effectiveness. The role uses workforce data and associate feedback to identify needs, prioritize support, and help leaders take action. Employee relations, investigations, performance matters, HR operations, and legal compliance are also important parts of the position. Regular field presence is expected, with approximately 25–30% travel.

Requirements

At least 10 years of progressive HR leadership experience, including leading HR Business Partners or a multi-site HR function.
Experience supporting a large frontline workforce.
Track record of improving retention, engagement, leadership effectiveness, and succession.
Strong employee relations and compliance experience.
Practical, hands-on leadership approach; uses data, builds relationships, develops people, and gets things done.
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, practical HR approach across regions while keeping support close to operations.
Use workforce data to prioritize communities and issues needing support.
Lead company-wide efforts to improve retention, engagement, trust, recognition, and the associate experience.
Turn survey feedback, turnover trends, stay interviews, and associate input into practical action with Operations.
Help leaders address people issues early, especially 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 Home Office HR support, including onboarding, associate relations, performance, engagement, retention, and development; lead the Home Office HR support team.
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 with Operations, Talent Acquisition, Learning & Development, Benefits, Legal, and other partners to connect people-related work.
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.