Director of Human Resources

Bartel Executive Search; Milwaukee (WI); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Bartel Executive Search is seeking a Director of Human Resources in Milwaukee to lead a growing multi-entity HR function. This role will provide strategic direction and hands-on leadership to support growth and operational complexity.

You will develop a unified, scalable HR infrastructure that covers employee relations, onboarding, benefits, compliance, and HR operations across locations. The ideal candidate has 10+ years in HR leadership, with strong employment-law knowledge and

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business, or related field (or equivalent experience).
• 10+ years of progressive HR experience, including leadership responsibility.
• Experience managing HR operations in a multi-site environment.
• Strong knowledge of employment law, compliance, and employee relations.
• Experience leading or developing HR staff.
• Proven ability to build structure and improve processes in a growing organization.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to work across all levels of an organization.
• Proficiency with HR systems and standard business applications.

Responsibilities

• Provide leadership and direction for HR functions across a multi-site organization.
• Act as a trusted advisor to leadership on workforce planning, organizational structure, and employee-related matters.
• Establish and standardize HR policies, processes, and best practices across locations.
• Lead recruiting and onboarding efforts to support business growth.
• Ensure compliance with all applicable employment laws and regulations across multiple states.
• Manage employee relations issues, including investigations, conflict resolution, and performance management.
• Oversee benefits programs, including health plans, retirement offerings, and leave administration.
• Partner with internal teams to ensure accurate employee data, reporting, and HR-related processes.
• Develop and maintain HR documentation, including policies, procedures, and employee records.
• Drive improvements in HR systems, workflows, and reporting capabilities.
• Support leadership with succession planning, retention strategies, and organizational development initiatives.
• Maintain clear and consistent communication between corporate HR and regional teams.
• Handle sensitive employee and organizational information with discretion and professionalism.

Skills

Leadership

Employee relations

Policy development

Compliance knowledge

HR systems

Cross-functional communication

Talent acquisition

Education

Bachelor’s degree in HR or related field

Tools

HRIS

MS Office

Job description

Director of Human Resources

Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Overview

A growing, multi-entity organization is seeking an experienced Director of Human Resources to lead and evolve its HR function. This role will provide both strategic direction and hands-on leadership, ensuring the organization’s people practices effectively support ongoing growth and operational complexity.

This position will be responsible for developing a unified, scalable HR infrastructure that supports a diverse workforce across multiple locations. Areas of focus include employee relations, compliance, talent acquisition, onboarding, benefits, and overall HR operations.

Reporting Structure

The Director of Human Resources will report directly to senior executive leadership and oversee a small team of HR professionals located both at the corporate office and in key regional locations.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide leadership and direction for all HR functions across a multi-site organization
• Act as a trusted advisor to leadership on workforce planning, organizational structure, and employee-related matters
• Establish and standardize HR policies, processes, and best practices across locations
• Lead recruiting and onboarding efforts to support business growth
• Ensure compliance with all applicable employment laws and regulations across multiple states
• Manage employee relations issues, including investigations, conflict resolution, and performance management
• Oversee benefits programs, including health plans, retirement offerings, and leave administration
• Partner with internal teams to ensure accurate employee data, reporting, and HR-related processes
• Develop and maintain HR documentation, including policies, procedures, and employee records
• Drive improvements in HR systems, workflows, and reporting capabilities
• Support leadership with succession planning, retention strategies, and organizational development initiatives
• Maintain clear and consistent communication between corporate HR and regional teams
• Handle sensitive employee and organizational information with discretion and professionalism

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business, or a related field (or equivalent experience)
• 10+ years of progressive HR experience, including leadership responsibility
• Demonstrated experience managing HR operations in a multi-site environment
• Strong knowledge of employment law, compliance, and employee relations
• Experience leading or developing HR staff
• Proven ability to build structure and improve processes in a growing organization
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to work across all levels of an organization
• Proficiency with HR systems and standard business applications

Preferred Background

• Professional HR certification (e.g., SHRM or HRCI)
• Experience in operationally driven industries such as construction, industrial, or logistics environments
• Background supporting both corporate and field-based employee populations
• Familiarity with labor relations concepts is a plus
• Experience developing HR programs, policies, and training initiatives