Head of Human Resources

Overview

Our client is seeking a Head of Human Resources to lead the Americas HR function from New York City during a period of continued growth across retail and corporate teams. Reporting to the President, Americas, with a dotted line to the Global Head of HR, this leader will oversee a lean HR team and serve as the senior-most HR partner in the region. The role calls for a hands-on executive who can set strategy, strengthen processes, guide leaders through complex people matters, and support a fast-moving business across the US and emerging markets in the Americas.

Responsibilities

• Lead the HR function for the Americas region, aligning people strategy with business goals and growth plans.

• Partner closely with executive and senior leadership across retail and corporate functions to develop and execute HR priorities.

• Manage, coach, and develop the regional HR team, including talent acquisition, HR generalist, and payroll support.

• Oversee core HR programs and operations, including compensation, benefits, leave administration, performance management, employee engagement, learning and development, and workplace policies.

• Provide strategic direction on talent acquisition, onboarding, and talent management initiatives in partnership with the recruiting team.

• Support organizational growth by reviewing structures, workforce needs, and people plans across stores, corporate teams, and new markets.

• Lead employee relations matters, including disciplinary issues, investigations, disputes, and terminations, while partnering with legal counsel to mitigate risk.

• Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local employment laws and regulations, and guide updates to policies and practices as needed.

• Work with leadership to evolve salary structures, pay practices, bonus frameworks, and benefits programs that support attraction, retention, and engagement.

• Lead and participate in annual HR cycles and key people processes.

• Drive process improvement across the HR function, identifying opportunities to strengthen efficiency, consistency, and service delivery.

• Evaluate and recommend HR systems, tools, and technologies to enhance operations and reporting.

• Develop, manage, and monitor the HR budget.

• Initiate and lead HR projects tied to business expansion, operational needs, and new market development.

• Maintain a visible, hands-on presence with employees and managers, operating with a practical approach across both strategic and day-to-day HR work.

Requirements

• 10-20 years of progressive human resources experience, including experience in a senior HR leadership role.

• Strong HR experience within the US retail market, ideally supporting both retail and corporate employee populations.

• Proven success leading and developing HR teams in a high-growth, fast-paced environment.

• Demonstrated ability to partner with executive and senior leaders to build and execute people strategies.

• Deep knowledge of US employment law, including multi-state compliance and employee relations matters.

• Experience handling complex investigations, disciplinary matters, terminations, and risk-sensitive employee issues.

• Background in compensation, benefits, payroll oversight, and broader HR operations.

• Experience improving HR policies, procedures, and systems, with HR technology implementation or vendor selection experience preferred.

• Ability to balance strategic thinking with direct execution in a lean, entrepreneurial environment.

• Strong written and verbal communication skills, sound judgment, and effective problem-solving ability.

• Collaborative leadership style with the credibility to build trust across all levels of the organization.

• Experience in fashion, luxury, or consumer-facing businesses is preferred.

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent tertiary qualification in Human Resources or a related field preferred.

• Based in or able to work on-site in New York City, with flexibility to collaborate across time zones and regional markets.