Human Resources Manager

Position Summary

A distinguished upscale restaurant group is seeking an experienced, hands-on Human Resources Manager to oversee and support HR operations across multiple restaurant locations.

This position requires a dynamic hospitality professional who understands the unique demands of restaurant operations and can effectively balance employee relations, talent acquisition, regulatory compliance, performance management, and organizational development.

The HR Manager will serve as a strategic partner to restaurant General Managers, Executive Chefs, and senior leadership, ensuring that HR initiatives support operational excellence, employee engagement, and the group's commitment to exceptional hospitality.

The ideal candidate brings previous HR management experience within a restaurant group, fine-dining organization, luxury hotel, or high-volume hospitality environment , with a strong understanding of employment regulations, workforce management, and the challenges associated with multi-unit restaurant operations.

Key Responsibilities

Human Resources Leadership & Strategy

• Manage day-to-day HR operations across multiple restaurant locations.
• Serve as the primary HR resource and trusted advisor to General Managers, Executive Chefs, and department leaders.
• Develop and implement HR policies, procedures, and best practices aligned with company objectives.
• Support leadership in building a positive, professional, and accountable workplace culture.
• Partner with senior management on workforce planning, organizational structure, staffing strategies, and talent development.
• Ensure consistency in HR practices while addressing the unique operational needs of each restaurant.
• Maintain a visible presence across restaurant locations and develop strong relationships with employees and management teams.

Employee Relations & Performance Management

• Serve as the primary point of contact for employee relations matters, workplace concerns, and HR-related issues.
• Conduct timely, objective, and confidential workplace investigations.
• Provide guidance to restaurant leadership on employee performance, coaching, disciplinary actions, and corrective action procedures.
• Support conflict resolution and maintain a fair, respectful, and professional work environment.
• Advise management on appropriate handling of attendance, conduct, performance, and workplace policy matters.
• Ensure employee relations decisions are consistent with company policy and applicable employment laws.
• Identify recurring employee concerns and recommend proactive solutions.
• Support employee retention and engagement initiatives.

Talent Acquisition & Recruitment

• Oversee recruitment strategies for front-of-house, back-of-house, management, and corporate restaurant positions.
• Partner with General Managers and Executive Chefs to assess staffing needs and develop recruitment plans.
• Manage job postings, applicant screening, interviews, reference checks, and offer processes.
• Develop talent pipelines for high-demand hospitality positions.
• Support recruitment for key leadership roles, including restaurant management and culinary leadership.
• Improve hiring processes to ensure timely placement of qualified candidates.
• Develop relationships with hospitality schools, culinary programs, and recruiting partners.
• Monitor hiring metrics, turnover trends, and staffing challenges across the restaurant portfolio.

HR Compliance & Employment Practices

• Ensure compliance with applicable federal, state, and local employment laws and regulations.
• Maintain strong knowledge of wage-and-hour regulations, overtime, meal and rest breaks, tip-related regulations, leave requirements, anti-harassment policies, and workplace safety standards .
• Partner with payroll and operations teams to ensure accurate timekeeping and appropriate employee classifications.
• Oversee employment eligibility verification and I-9 compliance.
• Maintain accurate and confidential employee records.
• Support compliance with required workplace postings, training, and documentation.
• Coordinate with legal counsel and senior HR leadership when appropriate.
• Monitor legislative changes affecting restaurant and hospitality employers.
• Support compliance audits and implement corrective measures as needed.

Training & Leadership Development

• Develop and coordinate HR-related training programs across the restaurant group.
• Support onboarding and orientation for new employees and managers.
• Train restaurant leadership on employee relations, performance management, interviewing, workplace conduct, and compliance.
• Partner with operations leadership to identify high-potential employees and future management talent.
• Support succession planning and internal promotion initiatives.
• Ensure completion of required harassment prevention, safety, and compliance training.
• Promote consistent leadership practices across all locations.

Employee Engagement & Retention

• Develop programs that strengthen employee engagement, satisfaction, and retention.
• Conduct exit interviews and analyze turnover trends.
• Partner with restaurant leadership to address employee feedback and workplace concerns.
• Support recognition programs and initiatives that promote a positive hospitality culture.
• Identify opportunities to improve communication between employees and management.
• Assist in creating career-development pathways for restaurant and culinary employees.
• Support initiatives that improve employee experience and strengthen organizational culture.

Payroll, Benefits & HR Administration

• Partner with payroll teams to ensure accurate employee information, compensation changes, and employment status updates.
• Assist with benefits administration, enrollment, employee inquiries, and eligibility.
• Manage HRIS records and maintain accurate employee data.
• Coordinate leave-of-absence administration, accommodation requests, and return-to-work processes.
• Support workers' compensation administration and related documentation.
• Maintain employee files and ensure compliance with document-retention requirements.
• Prepare HR reports and assist with annual HR planning and budgeting.

Multi-Unit Restaurant Support

• Work closely with restaurant General Managers and Executive Chefs to address location-specific staffing and HR challenges.
• Conduct regular restaurant visits to maintain visibility and strengthen employee relationships.
• Support new restaurant openings, expansions, and operational transitions as needed.
• Ensure consistency in onboarding, employee documentation, training, and HR procedures.
• Assist with workforce planning for seasonal business fluctuations, special events, and high-volume periods.
• Provide practical HR solutions that support restaurant operations without compromising compliance or employee experience.

HR Reporting & Analytics

• Track employee turnover, retention, hiring activity, open positions, training completion, and employee relations trends.
• Analyze HR data to identify opportunities for improvement.
• Prepare regular reports for senior leadership.
• Monitor recruitment effectiveness and time-to-fill metrics.
• Identify staffing and labor trends affecting restaurant operations.
• Recommend strategies to improve employee engagement, retention, and workforce stability.

Qualifications

Required

• 5+ years of progressive Human Resources experience , preferably within restaurants, hospitality, or food and beverage operations.
• Minimum 2–3 years in an HR management or senior HR generalist role .
• Previous experience supporting multiple restaurant locations or hospitality operations strongly preferred .
• Strong knowledge of federal, state, and local employment laws.
• Demonstrated experience managing employee relations, workplace investigations, and performance management.
• Experience with hospitality recruitment, onboarding, and employee retention.
• Strong understanding of wage-and-hour compliance and restaurant workforce practices.
• Experience with HRIS, payroll, benefits administration, and employee record management.
• Excellent communication, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to handle confidential and sensitive matters with discretion.
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work effectively with both hourly employees and senior leadership.
• Ability to travel between restaurant locations as needed.

Preferred Qualifications

• HR experience within a high-end, fine-dining, or multi-unit restaurant group.
• Experience supporting both front-of-house and back-of-house teams.
• Experience with restaurant openings or growing hospitality organizations.
• Knowledge of tipped employee regulations and restaurant-specific labor compliance.
• Experience with hospitality HR and payroll systems such as ADP, UKG, Paycom, Paylocity, or similar platforms.
• Experience supporting high-volume restaurant operations.
• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Hospitality Management, or related field.
• SHRM-CP, SHRM-SCP, PHR, or SPHR certification preferred.
• Bilingual English/Spanish communication skills are a plus.

Ideal Candidate Profile

The ideal candidate is a hands-on, approachable, and knowledgeable HR professional who understands restaurant culture and the fast-paced demands of hospitality operations .

This individual should be equally comfortable advising senior leadership on sensitive employee matters, coaching a restaurant General Manager, conducting workplace investigations, and supporting hourly employees.

The successful candidate will be:

• Experienced within restaurant or hospitality HR operations.
• Knowledgeable about employment law and restaurant labor practices.
• Approachable, professional, and trusted by employees and leadership.
• Skilled in employee relations and conflict resolution.
• Highly organized and detail-oriented.
• Comfortable supporting multiple restaurant locations.
• Proactive in identifying and resolving workforce challenges.
• Strong in recruitment, onboarding, and retention strategies.
• Able to balance operational priorities with employee needs and compliance requirements.
• Passionate about building strong teams and a positive workplace culture.

Measures of Success

Performance will be measured through:

• Employee retention and turnover reduction
• Recruitment effectiveness and time to fill
• Employee relations resolution
• HR compliance and audit performance
• Training completion and management development
• Employee engagement
• Consistency of HR practices across locations
• Accuracy of employee records and HRIS data
• Effectiveness of onboarding programs
• Leadership satisfaction with HR support

Compensation & Benefits

• Competitive management-level salary
• Performance-based bonus opportunity, where applicable
• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision benefits
• 401(k) program
• Paid time off and holidays
• Restaurant dining privileges
• Professional development and HR certification support
• Career advancement opportunities within a growing hospitality organization

The Opportunity

This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced Human Resources Manager with a strong restaurant or hospitality background to join a respected, high-end restaurant group.

• The successful candidate will play a key role in supporting restaurant leadership, developing talent, strengthening employee relations, and ensuring HR practices support the continued success and growth of the organization.