Director, People

WS Development; Boston (MA); On-site; USD 150,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

WS Development is seeking a Director, People to drive HR strategy across Development, Construction, Investments, and Brand & Marketing. This role partners with senior leaders, shapes organizational design, and leads end-to-end HR services, including talent development and performance management, leveraging AI to optimize processes.

You will mentor the People team, manage complex employee relations, and ensure compliance while delivering business-focused people strategies in a fast-growing real

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in human resources, business administration, or a related field.
• 8+ years of progressive HR experience, including HRBP support for senior leaders.
• Ability to influence senior executives and act as a strategic partner.
• Curiosity and fluency with AI tools to improve HR processes.
• Deep knowledge of HR principles, employee relations, org design, and compensation.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the primary HR Business Partner to multiple departments, understanding business needs.
• Advise leaders on organizational design, workforce planning, succession, and talent strategy.
• Lead full life-cycle HR support: performance, relations, compensation, promotions, development.
• Design and roll out company-wide programs and ensure adoption within client groups.
• Leverage AI tools to streamline HR processes, analytics, and communications.
• Coach managers on leadership, performance, and change management.
• Manage sensitive employee relations, investigations, and resolutions.
• Analyze metrics (turnover, engagement, headcount) and propose actions.
• Contribute to cross-functional strategic projects and HR system enhancements.
• Mentor People team members and model partnership and judgment.

Skills

HRBP

AI in HR

Executive communication

People analytics

Change management

Excel

Education

Bachelor's degree in HR or Business Administration

Tools

Microsoft Excel

Job description

At WS Development, we pride ourselves on providing a collaborative, entrepreneurial environment where employees are encouraged to contribute to the decisions, planning, process, and culture of the firm. We are a vertically integrated firm, focused on developing, building, owning, and managing beautiful places where people want to be!

We are seeking a seasoned and strategic Director, People, to join our People team. Reporting to the SVP, People, this is a senior HR leadership role for someone who combines deep HR expertise with strong business acumen and a genuine desire to partner closely with our operating groups. As a real estate developer and owner, WS Development relies on its HR Business Partners to be true extensions of the businesses they support and the Director, People will serve as the HRBP to several of our most dynamic teams, including Development, Construction, Investments, Brand & Marketing. This individual will also take on a broader set of strategic responsibilities beyond the traditional HRBP scope, helping to shape and elevate the People function as the company continues to grow.

What You'll Do

As Director, People at WS Development, you will be responsible for:

• Serving as the primary HR Business Partner to leaders and employees across multiple departments, developing a deep understanding of each business and its people needs.
• Acting as a trusted advisor and thought partner to senior leaders and executives on organizational design, workforce planning, succession planning, and talent strategy.
• Leading full life-cycle HR support for your client groups, including performance management, employee relations, compensation planning, promotions, and talent development.
• Partnering with the SVP, People and the broader People team to design and roll out company-wide programs, policies, and initiatives, and ensuring they are effectively adopted within your client groups.
• Leveraging AI tools and platforms to streamline HR processes—from talent analytics and reporting to drafting communications and policy documents—modeling for client groups how AI can be used to work smarter and more efficiently.
• Coaching and developing managers on leadership effectiveness, performance conversations, team dynamics, and change management.
• Managing complex and sensitive employee relations matters, including leading investigations and ensuring fair, consistent, and legally sound resolutions.
• Analyzing metrics and trends within your client groups, such as turnover, engagement, and headcount, to proactively identify issues and recommend solutions.
• Leading or contributing to cross-functional and ad hoc strategic projects that extend beyond the traditional HRBP scope such as process improvements, HR systems and reporting enhancements, culture and engagement initiatives, and special projects for the SVP, People and executive team.
• Mentoring and providing guidance to other members of the People team and serving as a role model for the level of partnership and judgment expected across the department.
• Staying ahead of legal and regulatory developments related to employment law and labor relations across our markets and ensuring your client groups remain compliant with all applicable laws, regulations, and company policies.

The Position

At WS Development, we pride ourselves on providing a collaborative, entrepreneurial environment where employees are encouraged to contribute to the decisions, planning, process, and culture of the firm. We are a vertically integrated firm, focused on developing, building, owning, and managing beautiful places where people want to be!

We are seeking a seasoned and strategic Director, People, to join our People team. Reporting to the SVP, People, this is a senior HR leadership role for someone who combines deep HR expertise with strong business acumen and a genuine desire to partner closely with our operating groups. As a real estate developer and owner, WS Development relies on its HR Business Partners to be true extensions of the businesses they support and the Director, People will serve as the HRBP to several of our most dynamic teams, including Development, Construction, Investments, Brand & Marketing. This individual will also take on a broader set of strategic responsibilities beyond the traditional HRBP scope, helping to shape and elevate the People function as the company continues to grow.

What You'll Do

As Director, People at WS Development, you will be responsible for:

• Serving as the primary HR Business Partner to leaders and employees across multiple departments, developing a deep understanding of each business and its people needs.
• Acting as a trusted advisor and thought partner to senior leaders and executives on organizational design, workforce planning, succession planning, and talent strategy.
• Leading full life-cycle HR support for your client groups, including performance management, employee relations, compensation planning, promotions, and talent development.
• Partnering with the SVP, People and the broader People team to design and roll out company-wide programs, policies, and initiatives, and ensuring they are effectively adopted within your client groups.
• Leveraging AI tools and platforms to streamline HR processes—from talent analytics and reporting to drafting communications and policy documents—modeling for client groups how AI can be used to work smarter and more efficiently.
• Coaching and developing managers on leadership effectiveness, performance conversations, team dynamics, and change management.
• Managing complex and sensitive employee relations matters, including leading investigations and ensuring fair, consistent, and legally sound resolutions.
• Analyzing metrics and trends within your client groups, such as turnover, engagement, and headcount, to proactively identify issues and recommend solutions.
• Leading or contributing to cross-functional and ad hoc strategic projects that extend beyond the traditional HRBP scope such as process improvements, HR systems and reporting enhancements, culture and engagement initiatives, and special projects for the SVP, People and executive team.
• Mentoring and providing guidance to other members of the People team and serving as a role model for the level of partnership and judgment expected across the department.
• Staying ahead of legal and regulatory developments related to employment law and labor relations across our markets and ensuring your client groups remain compliant with all applicable laws, regulations, and company policies.

Requirements

Keys to Success and Position Requirements

A successful candidate will bring with them:

• Bachelor's degree in human resources, business administration, or a related field with a record of high academic achievement.

• 8+ years of progressive human resources experience, including significant experience as an HR Business Partner supporting senior leaders and multiple client groups, ideally within real estate, professional services, or another fast-paced, entrepreneurial environment.
• Demonstrated ability to build credibility and trust with senior executives, acting as a strategic partner rather than solely a functional expert.
• Curiosity and fluency with AI tools, with a genuine interest in adopting new technology to improve HR processes, decision-making, and day-to-day efficiency.
• Strong knowledge of HR principles, practices, and regulations, with particular depth in employee relations, performance management, organizational design, and compensation.
• Excellent communication, interpersonal, and negotiation skills, with the executive presence and judgment to navigate sensitive and high-stakes conversations.
• Proven ability to manage ambiguity and competing priorities across several client groups simultaneously, while still delivering with a high level of rigor and attention to detail.
• A track record of taking on work beyond the traditional scope of the role. You must be comfortable rolling up your sleeves on strategic projects, process improvement, and other initiatives as the business needs evolve.
• Experience managing complex employee relations issues effectively.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, specifically Excel.
• Commitment to integrity, confidentiality, and professionalism in all aspects of People management.
• Desire (and ability) to laugh and have fun.

The expected salary range for this position is $150,000-$170,000 per year. Actual compensation will be based on factors such as skills, qualifications, experience, and location. This role is also eligible to participate in our annual bonus program.