Position Summary
The Director, Human Resources serves as the senior HR leader supporting both the Columbus Crew and Columbus NWSL Club. Reporting to the Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO), this role is responsible for leading and overseeing the day-to-day Human Resources function across both organizations while ensuring the effective execution of enterprise people strategies. The Director serves as a strategic business partner to club leadership and is responsible for talent management, employee relations, organizational development, total rewards administration, compliance, workforce planning, and HR operations. This position provides leadership and development for the Manager, Human Resources, and works to ensure consistent, high-quality HR support across both clubs. The Director translates enterprise HR priorities into actionable programs and processes that strengthen organizational effectiveness, enhance employee engagement, and support the long-term success of both organizations.
Essential Duties & Responsibilities
- Partner with the CHRO to implement human resources strategies and initiatives that support organizational goals and business priorities across both clubs.
- Establish departmental goals, priorities, and performance expectations while fostering a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
- Serve as the primary HR business partner for club leadership and department leaders, providing guidance on organizational effectiveness, workforce planning, employee engagement, and talent management.
- Ensure consistent delivery and administration of HR programs, policies, procedures, and employee services across both organizations.
- Partner with the Manager, Human Resources to execute recruiting, onboarding, performance management, employee engagement, and retention initiatives.
- Oversee workforce planning and talent management efforts to ensure alignment with organizational priorities and future business needs.
- Provide coaching and guidance to managers on employee relations matters, leadership effectiveness, conflict resolution, performance management, and policy interpretation.
- Lead and oversee complex employee relations matters, workplace investigations, and corrective action processes while ensuring consistency, fairness, and compliance.
- Partner with the CHRO on annual compensation planning, salary administration, market benchmarking, and total rewards initiatives.
- Oversee the administration and continuous improvement of employee benefits, wellness, and well-being programs.
- Ensure compliance with all applicable federal, state, and local employment laws, league requirements, and organizational policies.
- Oversee HR systems, employee records, leave administration, reporting processes, data management, and HR operational effectiveness.
- Monitor workforce metrics and organizational trends, leveraging data to provide insights and recommendations to leadership and the CHRO.
- Lead organizational development and change management efforts in support of growth, restructuring, and business transformation initiatives.
- Manage HR budgets, vendor relationships, and external service providers.
- Escalate significant employee relations, legal, compliance, and organizational risk matters to the CHRO as appropriate.
- Participate in strategic projects and special initiatives that support the continued growth and success of both clubs.
Required Skills, Experience & Abilities
- Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Organizational Leadership, or a related field.
- Minimum of 8-10 years of progressive human resources experience, including leadership responsibility and people management experience.
- Strong knowledge of employee relations, talent acquisition, compensation, benefits, organizational development, performance management, and employment law.
- Proven ability to build trusted relationships and effectively influence leaders at all levels of the organization.
- Demonstrated experience partnering with business leaders to implement HR strategies that support organizational objectives and drive results.
- Experience conducting complex workplace investigations and managing sensitive employee relations matters with sound judgment and discretion.
- Experience supporting workforce planning, succession planning, organizational design, and leadership development initiatives.
- Strong understanding of federal and state employment regulations, compliance requirements, and HR risk management practices.
- Exceptional communication, coaching, presentation, relationship-building, and problem-solving skills.
- Strong project management and organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced, evolving environment.
- Ability to effectively delegate operational responsibilities while maintaining strategic oversight and accountability.
- Demonstrated ability to handle highly confidential and sensitive information with discretion and professionalism.
- Experience within professional sports, entertainment, hospitality, or similarly dynamic organizations preferred.
- Experience supporting multiple business units, entities, or locations preferred.