Director of Human Resources

Koch Development Corporation; Santa Claus (IN); On-site; USD 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k) match

Bonus program

PTO accrual program

Tuition discounts and reimbursements

Free season passes and tickets

Job summary

Holiday World & Splashin’ Safari seeks a Director of Human Resources to lead and shape the employee experience, aligning HR strategies with the park’s mission and values. You will supervise payroll, benefits, and compliance while guiding talent acquisition for thousands of seasonal workers and supporting a robust international student program.

You’ll manage a full-time and seasonal HR team, drive engagement initiatives, and partner with executive leadership to optimize policies, training, and

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in HR or business-related field preferred.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in Human Resources preferred.
• Minimum of 3 years of experience managing people, preferably in HR.
• PHR or related certification preferred.
• Prior experience in amusement/theme park or high-volume entertainment venue preferred.

Responsibilities

• Work with Executive Leadership to align HR strategies with business needs and drive success.
• Develop, implement, and enforce policies and handbooks for full-time and seasonal staff.
• Oversee payroll, benefits, leave and retirement programs with the Payroll and Benefits Manager.
• Lead employee engagement strategies, surveys, and culture-building initiatives.
• Develop year-round recruiting strategies for seasonal and full-time staff.
• Ensure compliance with regulations (EEOC, OSHA, FMLA, ERISA, ADA) and filings.
• Investigate and resolve employee relations issues.
• Maintain HRIS data and organizational charts.
• Oversee BridgeUSA international student program and housing operations.
• Oversee HoliMarket, uniforms, and transportation programs.
• Create annual HR-related budgets and manage department finances.

Skills

Strong verbal and written comms

Excellent planning and organizational

Cross-functional collaboration

Microsoft Office proficiency

Software proficiency (HRIS)

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in HR or business

PHR certification preferred

Tools

HRIS

Microsoft Office Suite

Job description

Description

You're part of a proud tradition when you work with us at Holiday World & Splashin’ Safari. From our humble beginnings in 1946 as Santa Claus Land, America’s first theme park has grown into a world-class attraction in the heart of Santa Claus, Indiana. Holiday World’s top-ranked coasters and attractions, along with its lovingly restored and maintained classic rides, are matched only by Splashin’ Safari water park—the Water Coaster Capital of the World.

The Director of Human Resources is a strategic and operational leader responsible for creating an exceptional employee experience that supports the mission, values, and long-term success of Holiday World & Splashin’ Safari. This role leads all aspects of Human Resources, including culture and engagement, employee relations, organizational development, compliance, talent acquisition, compensation, benefits, payroll, and HR systems. The Director serves as a trusted advisor to executive leadership and plays a critical role in developing people strategies that attract, engage, and retain a high-performing workforce.

This position oversees a large-scale, high-volume recruiting operation that hires and onboards thousands of seasonal employees annually while ensuring a best-in-class candidate and employee experience. The Director also provides senior-level oversight and support for payroll and benefits administration, partnering closely with the Payroll and Benefits Manager to ensure accurate, compliant, and employee-focused programs and services.

Beyond traditional Human Resources responsibilities, this role manages several operational programs that directly impact the employee experience, including HoliMarket, the Company's employee retail and uniform operation; a transportation program consisting of multiple buses and transit vehicles that serve a significant portion of the workforce; and the BridgeUSA international student program, including oversight of employee housing facilities and the support systems necessary to create a successful experience for international team members. The Director leads a full-time and seasonal team dedicated to delivering exceptional service while fostering a culture where employees feel valued, connected, and empowered to perform at their best.

Work Requirements

• Work closely with Executive Leadership to ensure Human Resource strategies, business plans, processes and practices align with business needs and drive business success
• Develop, implement, and enforce policies, procedures, agreements, and written guidelines used by the Company regarding best-in-class employment practices including the full-time and seasonal handbooks
• Provide strategic leadership and oversight for payroll, benefits, leave administration, and retirement programs through direct management of the Payroll and Benefits Manager; ensure accurate, compliant, and employee-focused administration of payroll, health and welfare benefits, 401(k) plans, FMLA and other leave programs, while evaluating opportunities to enhance employee programs, improve service delivery, and control costs.
• Lead the Company's employee engagement strategy, including engagement surveys, action planning, retention initiatives, recognition programs, and culture-building efforts designed to strengthen employee satisfaction, commitment, and organizational performance.
• Develop and execute comprehensive year-round recruiting strategies to attract, hire, and onboard the Company's seasonal and full-time workforce, ensuring staffing goals are achieved while delivering an exceptional candidate experience and reinforcing the Company's Cornerstones and Values.
• Proficient knowledge of government regulations that apply to compensation and benefit programs (EEOC, OSHA, FMLA, ERISA, ADA, etc.) and the standard filings required by the Department of Labor, IRS, Unemployment systems, and I-9 Verification processes
• Investigate and resolve employee relations issues, including legal inquiries
• Metric driven to reduce and improve turnover rates throughout the company
• Maintains the work structure by updating all job requirements, job descriptions, and organizational chart
• Maintain records and compile statistical reports concerning Human Resources information and serve as liaison for HRIS
• Lead the Company's BridgeUSA international student program, including workforce planning, sponsor agency relationships, regulatory compliance, and housing operations.
• Oversee all training programs and materials
• Maintain and administer compensation philosophy and data
• Oversee employee workforce support operations, including the employee-focused HoliMarket retail operation, uniform distribution programs, and employee transportation services.
• Oversee employee transportation service and comply with all DOT regulations
• Create annual budgets and operate department within that budget for Human Resources, Training, Employee Transportation, HoliMarket, and Payroll
• Maintain all data in the Company’s HRIS
• Successfully lead, manage, and coach the full-time and seasonal Human Resource staff
• Serve as the key resource within the Company in the interpretation and application of employment laws, personnel policies and procedures, and other Human Resources compliance matters
• Ensure compliance with all federal, state, and local employment laws and statutes
• Actively participate in company events such as recruiting, orientation, hospitality training, and public relations events
• Be available to work unscheduled hours to respond to unplanned and/or emergency work
• Other duties as assigned

Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree in Human Resources or another Business-related field preferred
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in Human Resources preferred
• Minimum of 3 years of experience managing people, preferably in a Human Resources function
• PHR or related certification preferred
• Prior experience in the amusement/theme park or high-volume tourist-based entertainment venue is preferred
• High proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite and ability to learn new software programs
• Excellent planning and organizational skills
• Strong verbal and written communication skills in the English language
• Ability to work cross-functionally with all levels of employees and management
• Ability to speak to large groups of people and communicate important information in a clear, concise manner
• Willingness to travel overnight to attend and participate in seminars, meetings, and conferences out of town occasionally
• Ability to work full-time, including evenings and weekends as needed to ensure coverage of the HR Department or for special events
• Acceptable pre-employment drug screen and background check

Holiday World & Splashin’ Safari offers competitive wages and benefits, including a generous 401(k) match, bonus program, PTO accrual program, tuition discounts and reimbursements, free season passes and tickets, and much more!

Holiday World & Splashin’ Safari is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Applicants are considered for all positions without regard to race, color, sex, national origin, age, mental or physical disability, medical condition, marital status, sexual orientation, religion, veteran status, or any other status protected by law.

For the safety of our Guests and our staff, Holiday World & Splashin' Safari conducts background checks on all applicants aged 18 or older and we follow all federal and state laws, FCRA regulations and EEOC guidance regarding the use of criminal records in the hiring process. Unless otherwise provided by law, a criminal record will not automatically disqualify an applicant or employee from employment.