Senior Director Human Resources

Johnson Outdoors•Elmwood Park, WI

10d•Onsite

About The Position

Johnson Outdoors is a global leader in innovative outdoor recreation equipment, dedicated to creating the best possible outdoor experiences for consumers around the world! With a portfolio of market-leading brands and a passion rooted in adventure, the company designs and manufactures premium products across fishing, diving, camping & watercraft categories. The Senior Director Human Resources serves as a strategic leader responsible for designing, executing, and continuously enhancing core HR functions, including compensation, benefits, HRIS/HR analytics, and talent management. Collaborates with HR leaders across business units to implement consistent enterprise-wide policies and best practices, promoting a unified and high-performing HR strategy. Leads centralized HR operations and acts as a strategic business partner to senior leadership, driving operational excellence and organizational effectiveness. Leads and sets the vision for enterprise-wide strategic initiatives that shape Johnson Outdoors’ future. Serves as the central driver of organizational strategy by aligning priorities, fostering cross-functional collaboration, and ensuring results-driven execution. Guides strategic planning, governance, and change leadership to deliver measurable outcomes, enhance organizational agility, and advance long-term business goals. Located at our beautiful Headquarters along Lake Michigan in downtown Racine: 555 Main Street, Racine, WI.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree business, human resources or equivalent.
Typically requires a minimum of 10 years of leadership experience which including responsibility for managing multiple human resource functions, strategic planning with business partners, and leading large-scale, enterprise-wide initiatives.
Strong strategic thinking abilities to align HR initiatives with business goals and drive organizational performance.
Experience advising executive leadership on workforce planning, organizational design, and HR policy development.
Demonstrated success in leading HR initiatives that support organizational growth and employee engagement is essential.
Expert-level knowledge of human resources functions including employee relations, total rewards, recruitment, talent management, HRIS/analytics, and organizational design.
Successful experience developing strong partnerships and strategizing with other HR leaders and professionals to strategize, identify opportunities, improve processes, manage complex projects, and drive a strong culture.
Experience in successfully managing large scale enterprise-wide projects from concept development, implementation, and evaluation.
Demonstrates deep knowledge of human resources laws, regulations, best practices, and compliance.
Excellent interpersonal/communication skills to communicate with all levels of employees and leaders as well as external organizations.
Adept at change management and capable of guiding the organization through transitions such as mergers, restructures, or cultural shifts.
Demonstrated leadership skills and abilities to effectively provide direction to employees, and influence across all levels of the organization.
Proficiency in all Microsoft software (Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Word, etc.) and HRIS systems.
Strong understanding of AI capabilities, limitations, business impact, governance, risk, and ethical expectations. Ability to apply AI-supported insights to strategic decision-making, lead change, set expectations, and model responsible use.

Responsibilities

Provides strategic leadership across centralized HR functions, compensation, benefits, HRIS/HR analytics, and talent management. Additionally, directs initiatives in employee relations, organizational design, employee engagement and recognition, workplace safety and health, and performance management in close collaboration with executive leadership.
Acts as a strategic advisor to executive leadership on workforce planning, organizational structure, and HR policy development, ensuring alignment with long-term business goals and operational effectiveness.
Oversees the development and management of compensation programs, including base pay and incentive plans, ensuring market competitiveness, internal equity, and compliance with regulatory requirements.
Oversees the development and management of employee benefits programs, including health and welfare plans, retirement savings, wellness initiatives, and leave policies. Monitors utilization, cost-effectiveness, and employee satisfaction.
Oversees the HRIS function, ensuring optimal efficiency, data integrity, and user experience.
Drives the development of HR analytics capabilities to enable data-driven decision-making and workforce insights.
Collaborates with executive leadership to develop and implement performance management, succession planning, leadership development, employee engagement, and career growth strategies that build organizational capability and a high-performing workforce.
Promotes a culture of continuous learning and career growth across the organization.
Collaborates with HR leaders across business units to develop and implement consistent, enterprise-wide HR policies and practices that reflect organizational values and ensure legal compliance.
Leads audits and risk assessments to maintain compliance with employment laws and internal standards.
Drives innovation by identifying and implementing emerging HR trends, technologies, and process improvements that enhance employee experience and organizational agility.
Advises business unit human resources leadership on the interpretation, administration, execution and communication of employment regulations, company policies, enterprise practices, and HR best practices. Serves as a change leader in driving enterprise HR initiatives and transformation efforts.
Leads HR operations for centralized functions including improving processes, service delivery, and employee experience.
Champions an AI-first mindset and the responsible integration of AI and other digital technologies into business strategy, prioritization, risk management, decision-making, and operations. Guides organizational adoption while ensuring alignment with company governance, security, privacy, and ethical standards.
Performs other duties as assigned.
Performs human resources responsibilities for staff, which includes but is not limited to the following: hiring and terminating employees, promotions/pay adjustments, staff development, performance evaluations, resolution of employee concerns and disciplinary counseling.
Oversees the development of budgets, and ensures budgets are managed within approved guidelines.
Oversees the development and approval departmental policies, procedures, and guidelines to meet business needs.

Benefits

competitive base salary with additional earning potential through participation in the management bonus program, and eligibility for annual pay increases.
generous Paid Time Off and holiday benefits
a full benefits package
broad range of employee support and fitness and wellness plans.
performance development and training opportunities
tuition assistance program.
fun company events
great employee discounts on all our outdoor recreational products.
401(k) with company match
deferred retirement contributions
Sons & Daughters Scholarship program
college savings program
life and LTD insurance