Director of Employee Relations and Compliance

Fourteen Foods; Franklin (TN); On-site; USD 80,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Fourteen Foods is looking for a Director of Employee Relations and Compliance at their headquarters in Franklin, TN. In this full-time, on-site role, you will ensure a positive and compliant employee experience for approximately 6,000 staff across multiple locations.

The role demands exceptional leadership skills and extensive HR experience, focusing on employee relations, compliance, and policy development. This strategic position offers you the chance to shape practices that underscore operational excellence in a fast-paced environment.

Qualifications

• 8+ years of progressive HR experience, with at least 4 years in employee relations and compliance.
• Experience in multi-unit environments such as QSR or retail.

Responsibilities

• Lead employee relations and compliance for a large multi-unit organization.
• Oversee HR practices and compliance across all locations.
• Develop and maintain HR policies and employee handbook.

Skills

Leadership and team building

Employee relations

HR compliance knowledge

Investigation skills

Communication skills

Problem-solving

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources or related field

Master’s or JD

Job description

NOTE: This is a full-time role and will be on-site at our corporate headquarters in Franklin, TN. Hybrid or remote opportunities are not available.

About the Role: The Director of Employee Relations and Compliance is a strategic and hands‑on leader responsible for shaping a fair, consistent, and legally compliant employee experience across a large, multi‑unit QSR organization. With a workforce of approximately 6,000 employees, this role ensures that policies, practices, and culture support operational excellence while minimizing risk. The ideal candidate is a proactive problem‑solver who thrives in a fast‑paced, high‑volume environment and knows how to balance business needs with people‑first decision‑making.

Key Responsibilities

Employee Relations Leadership

• Serve as the primary point of escalation for complex employee relations issues, investigations, and conflict resolution.
• Lead, coach, and develop a team of HR Business Partners.
• Ensure consistent application of policies, disciplinary actions, and performance management across all restaurant locations.
• Partner with Operations leadership to proactively identify trends and address root causes of ER issues.

Compliance & Risk Management

• Oversee compliance with federal, state, and local employment laws, including wage and hour, scheduling, leave management, and workplace safety.
• Conduct regular audits of HR practices, documentation, and labor compliance across all restaurants.
• Lead the response to agency claims (EEOC, DOL, state agencies) and coordinate with legal counsel, as needed.
• Monitor regulatory changes and work with teams to update policies, training, and processes accordingly.

Policy Development & Governance

• Own the employee handbook, HR policies, and standard operating procedures.
• Ensure policies are clear, accessible, and aligned with both legal requirements and company culture.
• Partner with cross‑functional teams (Operations, Training, HR, Legal) to ensure policy adoption and compliance.

Culture & Engagement

• Support initiatives that strengthen a positive, inclusive, and high‑performance culture across all restaurant locations.
• Use ER and compliance data to identify opportunities to improve retention, engagement, and manager effectiveness.
• Partner with HR leadership on strategies that reduce turnover and enhance the employee experience.

Data & Reporting

• Track and analyze ER trends, case types, turnover drivers, and compliance risks.
• Present insights and recommendations to senior leadership to inform decision‑making.
• Maintain accurate documentation and case management systems.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business, or related field (Master’s or JD a plus).
• 8+ years of progressive HR experience, with at least 4 years focused on employee relations and compliance, and leading a team.
• Exceptional leadership and team building skills.
• Experience supporting multi‑unit, hourly‑workforce environments - QSR, retail, hospitality, or similar.
• Strong knowledge of employment law and HR best practices in multiple states.
• Demonstrated ability to conduct thorough, unbiased investigations.
• Excellent communication, coaching, and relationship‑building skills.
• Ability to thrive in a fast‑paced, high‑volume, geographically dispersed organization.
• High integrity, sound judgment, and a calm, solutions‑oriented approach.