Human Resources Director

This hands-on leadership role will focus on strengthening the HR department, improving processes and technology, developing talent, and driving organizational change. The Director will serve as a trusted advisor to senior leadership while ensuring compliance, mitigating employment-related risks, and fostering a high-performing, accountable workplace culture.Key ResponsibilitiesDevelop and execute HR strategies aligned with organizational objectives, workforce needs, and operational priorities.Assess, restructure, and strengthen the HR department, including team development, performance management, and service delivery.Oversee talent acquisition, employee relations, compensation, benefits, compliance, and HR operations.Lead complex employee relations matters, including investigations, disciplinary actions, accommodations, and employee separations.Ensure compliance with federal, Connecticut, and local employment laws and regulations.Drive improvements in performance management, employee engagement, retention, onboarding, and succession planning.Oversee ADP and other HRIS platforms, improving reporting, data integrity, workflows, and system efficiency.Partner with Finance, Payroll, IT, and external vendors to optimize HR processes, benefits administration, and operational effectiveness.Lead organizational change initiatives, process improvements, and HR transformation efforts.Establish workforce metrics and provide actionable recommendations to executive leadership.QualificationsBachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related field required; master's degree preferred.Significant progressive HR leadership experience, including responsibility for leading an HR department.Demonstrated experience rebuilding, restructuring, or transforming an HR function, with measurable improvements in team performance and operational effectiveness.Strong knowledge of employee relations, employment law, compliance, talent acquisition, compensation, and benefits administration.Hands-on ADP experience required, along with strong HRIS reporting, data management, and process improvement capabilities.Thorough understanding of federal and Connecticut employment laws and experience managing complex employee relations matters.Proven ability to lead teams, advise senior executives, implement organizational change, and make difficult personnel decisions.Experience managing HR vendors, benefits providers, and related contracts.Experience in multi-site, nonprofit, retail, human services, or similarly complex organizations preferred.SHRM-SCP or SPHR certification strongly preferred.Ideal CandidateThe ideal candidate is a hands-on, strategic HR leader with a proven track record of rebuilding and improving HR departments. This individual must be comfortable evaluating existing processes, developing teams, establishing accountability, and implementing meaningful organizational improvements.Success in this role requires strong business judgment, exceptional communication skills, the ability to navigate sensitive employee relations matters, and a willingness to challenge existing practices while building trust across the organization.