Director of Employee Relations and Compliance

About the Role: The Director of Employee Relations and Compliance is a strategic and hands‑on leader responsible for shaping a fair, consistent, and legally compliant employee experience across a large, multi‑unit QSR organization. With a workforce of approximately 6,000 employees, this role ensures that policies, practices, and culture support operational excellence while minimizing risk. The ideal candidate is a proactive problem‑solver who thrives in a fast‑paced, high‑volume environment and knows how to balance business needs with people‑first decision‑making.

Key Responsibilities: Employee Relations Leadership Serve as the primary point of escalation for complex employee relations issues, investigations, and conflict resolution. Lead, coach, and develop a team of HR Business Partners. Ensure consistent application of policies, disciplinary actions, and performance management across all restaurant locations. Partner with Operations leadership to proactively identify trends and address root causes of ER issues. Compliance & Risk Management Oversee compliance with federal, state, and local employment laws, including wage and hour, scheduling, leave management, and workplace safety. Conduct regular audits of HR practices, documentation, and labor compliance across all restaurants. Lead the response to agency claims (EEOC, DOL, state agencies) and coordinate with legal counsel, as needed. Monitor regulatory changes and work with teams to update policies, training, and processes accordingly. Policy Development & Governance Own the employee handbook, HR policies, and standard operating procedures. Ensure policies are clear, accessible, and aligned with both legal requirements and company culture. Partner with cross‑functional teams (Operations, Training, HR, Legal) to ensure policy adoption and compliance. Culture & Engagement Support initiatives that strengthen a positive, inclusive, and high‑performance culture across all restaurant locations. Use ER and compliance data to identify opportunities to improve retention, engagement, and manager effectiveness. Partner with HR leadership on strategies that reduce turnover and enhance the employee experience. Data & Reporting Track and analyze ER trends, case types, turnover drivers, and compliance risks. Present insights and recommendations to senior leadership to inform decision‑making. Maintain accurate documentation and case management systems.

Qualifications: Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business, or related field (Master’s or JD a plus). 8+ years of progressive HR experience, with at least 4 years focused on employee relations and compliance, and leading a team. Exceptional leadership and team building skills. Experience supporting multi‑unit, hourly‑workforce environments - QSR, retail, hospitality, or similar. Strong knowledge of employment law and HR best practices in multiple states. Demonstrated ability to conduct thorough, unbiased investigations. Excellent communication, coaching, and relationship‑building skills. Ability to thrive in a fast‑paced, high‑volume, geographically dispersed organization. High integrity, sound judgment, and a calm, solutions‑oriented approach.