Area Director of Human Resources

Job Title: Area Director of Human Resources

Location: Cluster of Unionized New York City Hotels – New York, NY

Department: Human Resources

Reports To: General Manager with a dotted line to the Head of Human Resources

FLSA Status: Exempt

Work Type: Hybrid Position

Employment Type: Full-Time

Company: Rebel Hotel Company

About Rebel Hotel Company: Rebel Hotel Company is one of the fastest-growing third-party hotel management companies in the United States, recognized for delivering bold results, operational excellence, and distinctive guest experiences. We operate a diverse portfolio of full-service, lifestyle, and branded hotels across major metropolitan and resort markets. We are building a culture of leadership, innovation, and accountability—and we’re just getting started.

Position Summary: The Area Director of Human Resources is responsible for overseeing all human resources and payroll functions across a cluster of full-service hotels in New York City. This on-site leadership role partners closely with each property’s General Manager and maintains a dotted-line relationship with Corporate HR and Labor Relations. The Area Director ensures compliance, leads union-related HR matters, supports a positive associate experience, and oversees accurate and timely payroll operations across the complex. This role requires prior hospitality HR and payroll experience in a unionized hotel environment.

Key Responsibilities:

Human Resources

• Lead all on-site HR operations across a cluster of full-service hotels, including employee relations, recruitment, onboarding, training, and offboarding
• Serve as the primary HR point of contact for associates and leaders across the complex
• Partner with General Managers and leadership teams on employee relations, policy interpretation, and corrective action processes
• Conduct and oversee hiring, interviews, and exit interviews
• Maintain accurate employee records and ensure compliance with company policies and labor laws
• Coordinate training programs, associate engagement initiatives, and HR-related events
• Recommend and implement HR policies and process improvements aligned with business and associate needs

Payroll & Compliance

• Oversee and process payroll in partnership with third-party payroll providers for all three properties
• Ensure compliance with payroll deadlines, tax requirements, garnishments, bonuses, and deductions
• Monitor timekeeping, overtime, PTO, scheduling, and union compliance
• Manage payroll system access, onboarding/offboarding, and system updates
• Prepare and distribute payroll and compliance reports, including overtime tracking
• Oversee year-end payroll processes, including W-2 preparation

Additional Responsibilities

• Ensure compliance with all federal, state, local, and union regulations
• Partner with Corporate HR, Labor Relations, and Payroll on escalations and compliance matters
• Participate in HR and payroll training and professional development
• Support hotel leadership and corporate partners in achieving operational and people-focused goals

Required Skills, Experience and Knowledge:

• Minimum of two (2) years of on-site hotel human resources experience with responsibility for employee relations, recruitment, onboarding, training, and compliance
• Minimum of two (2) years of hotel payroll experience, including processing, timekeeping oversight, overtime, deductions, and payroll compliance
• Prior experience in a unionized hotel environment required, including familiarity with collective bargaining agreements
• Working knowledge of federal, state, and local employment laws within the hospitality industry
• Proven ability to handle sensitive employee matters with discretion, consistency, and professionalism
• Experience partnering with hotel leadership to support staffing, performance management, and associate engagement
• Strong organizational and time-management skills with the ability to manage multiple properties and priorities
• Effective verbal and written communication skills across all associate and leadership levels
• Proficiency with HRIS, payroll systems, timekeeping platforms, and Microsoft Office
• Availability to work on-site with flexibility, including weekends, holidays, and extended hours as business needs require

What We Offer:

• Competitive base salary and performance-based incentive plan
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• 401(k) plan with company match
• Paid time off and holidays
• Career advancement opportunities within a rapidly growing company
• A chance to be part of the Rebel movement redefining hospitality leadership

Salary Range: $90,000 - $110,000 annually

At Rebel Hotel Company, we don’t manage hotels the old way—we challenge the status quo. If you’re ready to lead with vision, act with ownership, and make your mark in the hospitality world, we want to meet you.