Director, Human Resources

The Director, Human Resources serves as a strategic and operational HR leader for Gordon Ramsay North America, overseeing all core HR functions including employee relations, compliance, payroll, benefits, and policy administration across a growing portfolio of owned restaurants. This role partners closely with the SVP HR to deliver consistent and compliant practices across all U.S. markets. The Director plays a key role in reinforcing company culture, mitigating risk, and supporting operational growth objectives while leading and developing HR team members.

Key Responsibilities:

Employee Relations & Compliance

• Manage employee relations matters, including investigations, disciplinary actions, and performance improvement plans.
• Deliver consistently, risk contained and legally compliant handling of employee issues.
• Partner with the SVP HR on high-risk cases, claims, and compliance inquiries.
• Maintain expertise in federal, state, and local employment laws (FLSA, FMLA, ADA, EEO, and paid leave).
• Conduct regular HR compliance audits to ensure accurate documentation and wage practices.
• Take a strategic approach to maintaining policies are current, compliant, and consistently applied.
• Lead rollout of new policies and related training, reinforcing company values and a respectful, high-performing workplace culture.

HR Operations

• Manage accurate and timely multi-state payroll administration with the Payroll Manager.
• Confirm proper reconciliation, reporting, and compliance with wage, tax, and benefit regulations.
• Oversee benefits administration, including enrollments, renewals, and employee inquiries for compliance, and delivering clear communication.
• Partner with SVP HR and Finance on annual renewals, vendor management, and cost optimization.
• Maintain HRIS data integrity (UKG/UltiPro) and deliver workforce reporting dashboards (turnover, headcount, labor costs).
• Talent Management
• Act as business partner to corporate and restaurant leadership teams in policy administration and implementation of human resources initiatives.
• Collaborate with the L&D Manager and HRBP to identify training needs, strengthen leadership capability, and support succession planning.
• Lead performance management cycles and coach leaders on goal setting and accountability.

• 10+ years of HR experience, including 3+ years in a leadership or multi-unit generalist role
• Broad HR generalist expertise in employee relations, compliance, payroll, and benefits
• Hospitality, restaurant, or retail industry experience strongly preferred
• Proven ability to manage complex, multi-state employee relations issues
• Experience with HRIS and payroll systems (UKG/UltiPro preferred)
• Strong emotional intelligence and business acumen
• Travel: 10–15% as needed