HR Business Partner – Retail, East & Central Region

This is a fully remote position, open to applicants in Illinois, +1 more state.

📋 Description

• Act as a strategic consultant to Regional Directors and Store Leaders regarding employee relations, performance management, corrective actions, and conflict resolution.

• Oversee intricate, multi-site investigations, ensuring thorough documentation and prompt follow-through.

• Mentor leaders on providing feedback, enhancing performance, ensuring accountability, and fostering inclusive leadership.

• Recognize regional employee trends, risks, and problem areas, implementing proactive strategies.

• Serve as a cultural ambassador across stores.

• Implement people strategies that align with retail objectives, operational priorities, and growth initiatives.

• Convert HR strategies into scalable, field-ready programs.

• Aid decision-making for the East and Central Regions using data, insights, and business knowledge.

• Work collaboratively with Recruiting, Legal, Payroll, Benefits, HRIS, and People Operations.

• Assist with workforce planning, staffing needs, organizational changes, new store openings, and scaling efforts.

• Provide leadership training and facilitate onboarding for store leaders.

• Support goal setting, performance reviews, calibration, development planning, performance improvement, talent reviews, and succession planning.

• Utilize HR metrics to pinpoint opportunities and shape regional strategies.

• Integrate inclusive practices and promote engagement and belonging initiatives.

• Ensure adherence to employment laws across designated jurisdictions and collaborate with Legal on escalated issues.

• Conduct HR audits, compliance assessments, and policy updates.

• Maintain HR resources and foster on-the-ground partnerships through regular travel across regions.

⛳️ Requirements

• Must reside in either the New York Metropolitan area or the Chicago Metropolitan area.

• Willingness to travel regularly, averaging 50% across assigned regions, with occasional travel to HQ and support for various time zones.

• Minimum of 5 years of progressive HR experience.

• At least 3 years in a multi-site retail HR Business Partner role supporting high-volume teams, ideally with 700–1,000+ employees.

• Proficient in employee relations, investigations, performance management, and coaching leaders through complex issues.

• Capability to influence and collaborate with leaders at all levels.

• Strong judgment coupled with a solutions-oriented approach.

• Experience working in multiple states.

• Comprehensive knowledge of federal, state, and local employment regulations.

• Ability to handle confidential information with discretion, professionalism, and integrity.

• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to provide clear, concise, and actionable advice.

• Familiarity with HRIS systems, preferably UKG, as well as reporting tools and the Microsoft Office Suite.

• Experience in supporting scaling retail organizations, new store openings, or rapid-growth environments is advantageous.

• PHR, SPHR, SHRM-CP, or SHRM-SCP certification is preferred.

🏝️ Benefits

• Competitive salary and performance-based incentives.

• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance.

• Generous paid time off and holiday schedule.

• Opportunities for professional development and training.

• Employee discount programs.

• Collaborative and inclusive work environment.