Director of People & HR

Job Title: Director of People & HR

Type of contract: Full-time; Remote
Working Hours: M–F EST

*MUST HAVE: NYS Labor Law Expertise.*

Scope of the Role

The Director of People & HR will own the entire HR function with full accountability for payroll accuracy, labour law compliance, and employee relations. This is a senior operator role, requiring proven experience navigating NYC-specific regulations, audits, and enforcement realities.

You will partner directly with executive leadership and act as the final authority on HR risk and compliance decisions.

Duties and Responsibilities

Payroll & NYC Compliance Ownership

• Own end-to-end payroll operations with strict adherence to NYC and NYS wage & hour laws.
• Ensure compliance with NYC-specific requirements, including:
• Paid Safe and Sick Leave
• Fair Workweek (where applicable)
• Wage Theft Prevention Act notices
• Final pay timing and documentation
• Lead payroll audits, reconciliations, and cross-checks with Finance.
• Ensure accurate handling of commissions, bonuses, overtime, PTO, and terminations under NY law.

Labor Law, Policy & Risk Management (NYC-Focused)

• Act as the internal authority on NYC and NYS labour regulations, including exempt vs. non-exempt classification, overtime, paid leave, accommodations, and termination practices.
• Draft, update, and enforce employee handbooks and policies that meet current NYC and NYS legal standards.
• Monitor regulatory changes at the city and state levels and proactively update company policies.
• Lead investigations, employee relations cases, and disciplinary actions with full documentation and legal rigour.
• Decide when outside counsel is required versus internal resolution.
  
  

Recruiting & People Operations

• Own recruiting operations and ensure all job postings meet pay transparency requirements.
• Partner with leadership to define compliant hiring practices and interview processes.
• Ensure onboarding, documentation, and probationary practices align with regulations.

HR Systems & Data Integrity

• Own HRIS, ATS, payroll, benefits, and compliance systems with reporting accuracy.
• Deliver real-time reporting on headcount, turnover, PTO liability, and compliance risk.
• Ensure employee files are audit-ready at all times.

Leadership & Culture

• Lead and develop HR team members with a strong compliance-first mindset.
• Advise executives on people risk, compensation strategy, and organisational design.
• Enforce policies consistently across all levels, including senior leadership.
• Balance compliance enforcement with a fair, transparent employee experience.
  

Requirements 

• 8–12+ years of progressive HR experience with direct, hands-on responsibility in New York City and New York State.

• Demonstrated ownership of NYC payroll and labour law compliance.
• Proven expertise in NYC and NYS regulations, including wage & hour, PTO, sick leave, classification, and termination rules.
• Experience drafting and enforcing NYC-compliant employee handbooks and policies.
• Hands-on experience leading investigations and employee relations in NYC-based organisations.
• Strong experience with HRIS, ATS, and payroll platforms used in NY-regulated environments.
• Confident decision-maker with the ability to push back on leadership when compliance is at risk.

What Success Looks Like

• Payroll and people operations run flawlessly within NYC and NYS legal frameworks.
• No unresolved compliance gaps or audit exposure.
• Leadership trusts HR to independently manage risk and enforcement.

• HR systems, policies, and documentation withstand scrutiny from regulators or counsel.