Human Resources Director

Gentle Monster is looking for a Director, Human Resources to serve as a trusted executive partner while simultaneously owning and operating the full spectrum of day-to-day HR functions. This person will help shape the people strategy for the business, such as advising on organizational design, culture, talent, and leadership effectiveness and build the processes to bring that strategy to life. This is a hands-on, high-ownership role, reporting to the President. You will be the company's primary HR practitioner, which means you are equally comfortable presenting to senior leadership and processing benefit enrollments the same day. As Gentle Monster grows, you will be instrumental in building the infrastructure, programs, and culture to support that growth. The ideal candidate is a self-starter who thrives without a large team behind them. You are energized by creating structure, processes, and programs from the ground up rather than inheriting an established function. You understand the nuances of both a corporate and a retail workforce, and you know how to flex between the two. You are proactive, highly organized, and genuinely passionate about people and culture. What You’ll Do Serve as a strategic advisor to leadership on all people-related matters, including organizational design, culture, and workforce planning Translate business goals into actionable HR strategies that support both near-term operations and long-term growth Provide counsel on leadership effectiveness, team dynamics, and change management as the company scales Partner closely with the global HR team at Gentle Monster HQ to ensure alignment with brand values and international people practices Lead full-cycle recruiting for corporate and retail roles, building scalable hiring processes Develop and manage relationships with staffing agencies, search firms, and talent pipelines for retail store leadership and corporate hires Ensure a consistent, brand-aligned candidate and new hire experience that reflects Gentle Monster's culture and aesthetic Build and maintain programs that drive employee engagement, connection, and a strong sense of belonging Own internal communications and HR touchpoints that reinforce company culture and values Own and administer all employee benefits programs, including health, dental, vision, 401(k), PTO, and ancillary plans Manage open enrollment processes and serve as the primary point of contact for employee benefits questions and vendor relationships Evaluate and evolve the company's total rewards strategy to be competitive in the industry Ensure the company remains in full compliance with federal, state, and local employment laws across all operating jurisdictions, with particular attention to California labor law Maintain and update the employee handbook, HR policies, and standard operating procedures Manage employment-related documentation, I-9 verification, and employee record-keeping Support and manage employee relations matters, including investigations, disciplinary processes, and separations Partner with managers to develop performance improvement plans, coaching frameworks, and career pathing tools Identify learning and development needs and coordinate training programs, particularly for retail leadership development Own and optimize the company's HRIS, ensuring data integrity and timely processing of all employee lifecycle changes Partner with payroll to ensure accurate and timely compensation processing for all employee types (salaried, hourly, part-time retail) Serve as the dedicated HR resource for all U.
S. retail store locations, supporting store managers on escalated employee relations and compliance needs Partner with Retail Operations to develop retail-specific HR programs, including hiring playbooks for store openings, retail training curricula, and hourly workforce management best practices What You Bring 7+ years of progressive HR experience, with at least 3 years in a generalist or HR manager role with broad ownership across HR functions Experience in retail, fashion or lifestyle brands highly preferred Demonstrated experience supporting a retail environment, including hourly workforce management, store openings, and multi-location HR support Deep knowledge of employment law and multi-state compliance Proven ability to operate as both a strategic partner and a hands-on HR practitioner; comfortable with executive-level conversations and administrative execution Experience managing full-cycle recruiting for both corporate and retail roles Strong knowledge of benefits administration, HRIS systems, and HR reporting Excellent interpersonal and communication skills; able to build trust with employees at all levels High degree of discretion, judgment, and professionalism in handling sensitive matters Background supporting a company in a high-growth or scaling phase Experience partnering with international HQ teams or in a subsidiary/regional HR role high