The Director, Human Resources is the most senior people leader at ASICS Creation Center (ACC), our global product creation office in Boston. ACC is a small company that is part of ASICS global organization, with headquarters in Kobe, Japan.

This is a hands-on leadership role where the Director is expected to balance strategic planning with direct execution across all areas of Human Resources. The successful candidate will serve as a trusted business partner to the CEO while leading HR initiatives and personally overseeing day-to day HR operations that support the organization's people, culture, and continued growth.

You will lead how ACC attracts, develops, and cares for its team as the creation office continues to grow. Working inside a global company, you will translate the direction and standards set from ASICS headquarters and put them into practice locally. Equally, you will also represent the voice of ACC back into the wider organization.

Your responsibilities span the entire HR function: recruitment, employee relations, compensation and benefits, compliance, learning and development, and every touchpoint of the employee experience. You will keep our people practices moving in step with the business as it evolves. Doing this well means knowing how to work within ASICS, determining which existing company capabilities to tap, which solutions to build in-house, and when to bring in an outside partner.

You are the person who will set the tone for the office, shaping its culture, holding its standards, and making sure the daily environment runs well and reflects who we are. Because ACC is a small operation inside a much larger company, this role asks for the seasoning and judgment of a director alongside a real willingness to work close to the details; you will move comfortably between setting strategy and handling the practical, day-to-day matters.

The Director reports to the CEO of ACC and has one direct report who supports the broader office administration.

Responsibilities

Local Office Leadership

• Execute the HR direction and standards set by Global and shape them into programs that make sense for ACC's scale, culture, and goals.
• Bring ACC's on-the-ground perspective back to Global, helping to shape company-wide HR strategy while keeping ACC aligned with corporate expectations.
• Partner with the CEO and leadership team to provide strategic guidance on organizational design, workforce planning and talent decisions.
• Act as the senior people presence in the Boston office, setting its culture, upholding its standards, and keeping the day-to-day environment running smoothly.
• Evaluate and adjust how ACC's HR function operates so it keeps pace as the office grows and becomes more complex.
• Make the case for new people initiatives, building the rationale and bringing stakeholders across ASICS along.
• Build trusted relationships with leaders at ACC and across ASICS, and be the person they turn to for candid, practical HR guidance.
• Guide the organization through periods of growth, change, and new undertakings.
• Develop and manage the departmental budget for the HR function.

Talent Acquisition and Workforce Planning

• Lead the full lifecycle recruitment process, partnering with hiring managers to identify, assess, and hire exceptional talent.
• Contribute to the strategic recruitment plan, including recruitment marketing and partnerships with product-related recruiters.
• Support and enforce best hiring practices across the ASICS Creation team to ensure equitable recruitment processes and adherence to applicable legislation and regulations.
• Tailor the corporate onboarding process to provide a supportive onboarding experience to ASICS Creation Center employees in the U.S.

Employee Relations & Engagement

• Respond to employee relations matters by completing investigations and required documentation in accordance with local, state, and federal law.
• Administer leaves of absence including FMLA, any applicable state leave, and ADA accommodations, ensuring compliance with applicable federal and state requirements.
• Review employee handbooks to ensure they are localized and consistent with applicable ASICS Creation Center and ASICS policies.
• Provide coaching, guidance, and support to leadership in employee relations matters.
• Support leaders by facilitating meetings to coach, discipline, and terminate employment when necessary.
• Implement and maintain programs, policies, and initiatives to improve employee engagement and retention.
• Coordinate employee annual performance reviews, performance calibration, the merit cycle, and goal setting; assist managers with associated tracking of goals and objectives.

Total Rewards

• Advise on regional benefit plans and their impacts on the organization and employees.
• Oversee and administer employee benefits programs, including vendor management, annual open enrollment, employee communications, and compliance with applicable federal and state regulations.
• Administer and manage compensation programs, including merit increases, bonuses, and employee communication.
• Establish and maintain an equitable job evaluation and compensation program, including market pricing and compliance with regional requirements.
• Evaluate benefits offerings to ensure programs remain competitive and aligned with organizational needs.

HR Operations & Data

• Administer and manage employee information in the HRIS, ensuring accuracy of data.
• Prepare necessary personnel reports for management and ASICS HQ as needed.
• Maintain all employee files to ensure the highest level of confidentiality.
• Manage HR compliance requirements including I-9 and work authorization records, EEO-1 reporting, and other applicable federal and state filings.
• Coordinate with Finance and ASICS to complete the payroll process, ensuring payroll changes are communicated timely and accurately and in compliance with policies and with federal, state, and local tax regulations.
• Monitor and track time-off records, leaves of absence, and related matters for employees.
• Ensure HR initiatives and operational priorities are executed with a high level of quality, attention to detail and timeliness.

HR Programs & Global Mobility

• Assist with the creation and facilitation of learning and development programs and initiatives.
• Participate in the ACC diversity and inclusion committee. Implement diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives designed by ACC and Global diversity and inclusion committees.
• Manage global mobility for expatriate employees, including visa processing, immigration coordination, onboarding and ongoing local HR support throughout their assignment.
• Assess and leverage the right mix of internal ASICS resources, in-house builds, and external partners to deliver HR programs effectively.
• Collaborate with HR departments within the global ASICS community.
• Perform administrative and organizational duties as directed, including the potential for various ad hoc or special projects as assigned.

Education & Experience

• A minimum of 10 years of progressive HR experience, including time in a senior or HR business partner-level role; experience in the footwear, athletic, or consumer products industry a plus.
• Bachelor's degree required, preferably in Human Resources or related field; SHRM or HRCI certification preferred.
• Demonstrated experience with U.S. employment law, the talent management cycle, and HR operations.
• A hands-on, adaptable working style; the confidence to lead at a senior level paired with a genuine willingness to handle day-to-day execution in a small-office setting.
• Demonstrated success operating within a global or matrixed organization, including turning direction from a global or corporate headquarters into effective local programs.
• Strong relationship and influencing skills, with a history of earning trust and building effective working relationships with people at every level of a company.
• Excellent communication skills, professional presence, and high emotional intelligence with proven people management abilities.
• Strong attention to detail with the ability to multitask, prioritize tasks, and meet deadlines.
• Ability to work independently and exercise sound judgment with minimal supervision.
• Experience with SAP SuccessFactors and ADP is preferred.

Location: ACC embraces a flexible, hybrid work environment. This role is generally expected to work from the Boston office approximately two days per week to support collaboration and partnership. In-office expectations may vary based on business needs and manager discretion.

At ASICS Creation Center, total compensation includes base salary and a comprehensive benefits program. Eligibility for additional incentive compensation varies by position and level. Base salary is determined based on several factors including market data, experience, qualifications, and demonstrated skills. The anticipated base salary range for this role is $150,000 - $175,000.

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