Position: Director of People
Location: Washington, DC
Department: People & Culture
Reports To: CCO and President
Employment Type: Full-Time
Salary: $110,000-$130,000
plus bonus and benefitsPosition SummaryJosé Andrés Group is seeking an experienced and strategic
Director of People to lead the People & Culture function for our Washington, DC market. This individual will serve as the senior People partner to restaurant leadership, driving business performance through exceptional people practices, leadership development, organizational effectiveness, employee engagement, and compliance.
The Director of People will oversee all aspects of the employee lifecycle while partnering closely with Operations leaders to cultivate high-performing teams, strengthen leadership capabilities, and ensure an exceptional employee experience across multiple restaurant concepts.
This is a highly visible leadership role that requires both strategic thinking and a hands-on approach within a fast-paced hospitality environment.
Key ResponsibilitiesStrategic Business Partnership- Serve as the primary People & Culture advisor to senior Operations leadership.
- Partner with General Managers and Directors to align people strategies with business objectives.
- Lead workforce planning, organizational design, succession planning, and talent strategies.
- Utilize workforce analytics to identify trends and recommend solutions that improve retention, engagement, and operational performance.
- Support new restaurant openings, organizational growth, and change management initiatives.
Employee Relations & Culture- Lead complex employee relations matters, workplace investigations, and conflict resolution.
- Provide expert guidance on performance management, corrective action, coaching, and employment law.
- Foster a culture of accountability, inclusion, hospitality, and continuous improvement.
- Develop and implement employee engagement initiatives that strengthen retention and workplace culture.
- Serve as a trusted advisor to leaders and employees across all restaurant locations.
Leadership Development & Talent Management- Partner with Talent Acquisition on workforce planning and recruiting strategies.
- Drive succession planning and internal mobility initiatives.
- Design and facilitate leadership development programs.
- Coach leaders on communication, accountability, performance management, and employee development.
- Identify organizational capability gaps and recommend development strategies.
Compliance & Risk Management- Ensure compliance with all federal, state, and local employment laws.
- Oversee HR compliance related to I-9, E-Verify, wage and hour, leave administration, investigations, and employee documentation.
- Partner with Legal on complex employee relations matters.
- Ensure consistent application of company policies and employment practices.
- Support workers' compensation, unemployment claims, and other risk management initiatives.
HR Operations & Organizational Effectiveness- Drive continuous improvement of HR processes and best practices.
- Analyze workforce metrics including turnover, retention, engagement, and staffing trends.
- Recommend strategic initiatives that improve employee experience and operational performance.
- Partner with corporate People & Culture teams on company-wide initiatives.
- Lead special projects that support organizational growth and business objectives.
Leadership Competencies- Strategic Thinking
- Executive Presence
- Business Acumen
- Change Leadership
- Emotional Intelligence
- Coaching & Talent Development
- Collaboration & Influence
- Data-Driven Decision Making
- Operational Excellence
Benefits- Competitive Base Salary
- Annual Performance Bonus
- Medical, Dental & Vision Insurance
- Company-Paid Life Insurance
- 401(k) with Company Match
- Commuter Benefits
- Employee Dining Discounts
- Education Reimbursement Program
- Paid Time Off
- Professional Development Opportunities
- Career Growth within an award-winning hospitality organization
Requirements
Qualifications- Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Hospitality Management, or related field required.
- 8+ years of progressive Human Resources leadership experience.
- Multi-unit hospitality, restaurant, hotel, or retail experience strongly preferred.
- Demonstrated success partnering with senior operational leadership.
- Strong knowledge of employment law, employee relations, and HR best practices.
- Proven experience leading workplace investigations and performance management.
- Excellent coaching, communication, negotiation, and conflict-resolution skills.
- Strong analytical and business acumen with the ability to leverage workforce data.
- Experience with HRIS systems; Paylocity experience preferred.
- SHRM-SCP, SPHR, or equivalent HR certification preferred.
- Ability to travel between Washington, DC restaurant locations as business needs require.
