VP of Human Resources

Job Description

Job Description

A New York hotel management company is seeking an experienced and passionate Vice President of Human Resources to lead the people strategy across its portfolio of historic, independent boutique hotels in New York City. This role is both strategic and hands-on-responsible for aligning HR practices with company's values of authenticity, excellence, and hospitality. The VP of HR will oversee all aspects of HR, including talent acquisition, labor relations, employee engagement, compliance, training, and performance culture, ensuring our teams deliver consistent, high-quality guest experiences.

Key Responsibilities:

Strategic Leadership & Culture

• Serve as a key member of the executive team, advising on organizational structure, workforce planning, and talent strategy to support company's growth and service goals.
• Champion a strong internal culture centered on accountability, team building and service excellence.
• Lead HR integration and alignment across all company properties and the corporate office.

Talent Acquisition & Development

• Oversee recruitment efforts for both property-level and corporate roles, ensuring a pipeline of skilled, hospitality-focused candidates.
• Develop and implement employee onboarding, leadership development, and cross-training programs to build internal talent.
• Partner with General Managers and department heads to support workforce planning and retention strategies.

Employee Relations & Engagement

• Maintain open communication channels with all employees, fostering a culture of trust, feedback, and continuous improvement.
• Proactively address employee concerns, facilitate conflict resolution, and manage employee relations cases with empathy and fairness.
• Oversee employee recognition programs and internal initiatives that reinforce company's mission and values.

Labor Relations & Compliance

• Manage labor relations at unionized properties, including contract negotiations, grievance resolutions, and adherence to collective bargaining agreements.
• Ensure compliance with local, state, and federal labor laws, including wage and hour laws, OSHA requirements, and EEO policies.
• Maintain and update company policies and procedures to ensure consistency across all properties.

Compensation & Benefits

• Oversee compensation strategies that support equity, market competitiveness, and budget alignment.
• Manage benefits programs, including health, wellness, retirement, and leave administration.
• Lead annual compensation reviews and performance evaluations in collaboration with senior leadership.

HR Systems & Reporting

• Optimize HR systems (e.g., payroll, timekeeping) and reporting tools to enhance operational efficiency and data-driven decision making.
• Track key HR metrics such as turnover, retention, engagement and training.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business, or related field.
• Minimum 10 years of progressive HR leadership experience, including 5+ years in hospitality, hotel management, or service-oriented environments.
• Proven success working with union environments and handling collective bargaining agreements.
• Strong interpersonal, communication, and leadership skills with the ability to influence at all levels.
• Familiarity with NYC labor laws and the dynamics of hotel operations.

• Position is based in New York City and requires frequent on-site presence at hotel properties.
• Travel between hotel sites in Manhattan is expected.
• Reports directly to the COO and collaborates closely with owners, other VPs, onsite HRs and General Managers.