Activate Talent
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.
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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.
#J-18808-Ljbffr