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
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.