Human Resources Manager

SSP; New York (NY); On-site; USD 95,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Bonus eligibility

Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance

SSP 401(k) Plan with Company Match

Paid Time Off (PTO)

Paid Holidays

Paid Sick Leave

Job summary

SSP America is seeking an on-site Human Resources Manager at JFK to partner with airport operations leadership and shape workforce strategy for a unionized, multi-location environment. You will influence the people agenda for about 250 team members supporting 10 restaurant locations within JFK.

Compensation includes a $95,000 to $100,000 annual salary based on experience, plus bonus eligibility and comprehensive benefits designed to support you and your family.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related field, or equivalent experience.
• 5+ years of progressive HR experience supporting multi-site operations.
• Experience as an HR Generalist, HR Manager, HR Business Partner, or comparable role.
• Proven ability to coach and influence operational leaders.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the primary HR Business Partner for airport operations leadership to drive business performance.
• Partner with leaders on workforce planning, staffing strategy, performance management and organizational effectiveness.
• Translate business objectives into talent, engagement, retention, and leadership development strategies.
• Lead change management initiatives and oversee employee communications.
• Coach leaders on performance management, attendance, employee relations, and corrective action.
• Administer grievances and interpret collective bargaining agreements; maintain union relationships.

Skills

HR Business Partner

Employee Relations

Workforce Planning

Leadership Coaching

Union Relations

Labor Law

Education

Bachelor’s degree in HR or related field

Job description

Join SSP America as an on-site Human Resources Manager at John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK). This role partners directly with airport operations leadership to shape workforce strategy, strengthen employee relations, and improve operational performance for a unionized, multi-location environment. You will influence the people agenda for approximately 250 team members supporting 10 restaurant locations within JFK.

Compensation includes a $95,000 to $100,000 annual salary based on experience, plus bonus eligibility. You will also have access to comprehensive benefits designed to support well-being for you and your family.

What You’ll Do

• Serve as the primary HR Business Partner for airport operations leadership to help drive business performance through strategic initiatives.
• Partner with operational leaders on business planning, workforce planning, staffing strategy, performance management, and organizational effectiveness.
• Translate business objectives into talent, engagement, retention, and leadership development strategies.
• Lead change management initiatives and oversee employee communications.
• Collaborate with Regional and Corporate People teams to execute enterprise-wide priorities.
• Use workforce insights, labor trends, and productivity data to improve operational outcomes.
• Coach leaders on performance management, attendance, employee relations, and corrective action.
• Conduct workplace investigations and ensure timely resolution of complex employee matters.
• Administer grievances and interpret collective bargaining agreements, while maintaining productive relationships with union representatives.
• Partner with Labor Relations on escalated issues and strategic workforce matters.
• Coach and develop General Managers and Assistant Managers, and deliver leadership development programs for frontline and mid-level leaders.
• Lead succession planning and talent review initiatives, partnering with Talent Acquisition on recruiting and workforce planning strategies.
• Drive onboarding, orientation, engagement, and recognition programs that support culture and retention.
• Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local employment laws, maintaining airport badging, I-9, and HR records compliance.
• Conduct HR audits to proactively identify compliance risks, and support ADA, FMLA, Workers’ Compensation, and leave administration processes.
• Monitor and report on turnover, retention, attendance, engagement, absenteeism, and overtime.
• Analyze workforce trends and exit feedback to identify improvement opportunities, and use staffing and recruiting metrics to guide hiring strategies.
• Build business cases for people initiatives using labor and turnover data, and forecast workforce needs to support operational growth.

Scope of Responsibility

• Support 10 restaurant locations within JFK International Airport (JFK)
• Influence the employee experience for approximately 250 team members
• Support a unionized workforce environment
• Work primarily on-site at JFK and partner across a diverse portfolio of national, local, and proprietary restaurant brands

What Success Looks Like (First Year)

• Operations leaders view you as a trusted strategic business partner
• Managers proactively seek your expertise in people decisions
• Employee turnover and open position aging improve against baseline measures
• Employee relations matters are handled consistently, thoroughly, and on time
• Union relationships remain productive, with grievances resolved effectively at the lowest appropriate level

Benefits at a Glance

• $95,000 to $100,000 annual salary based on experience
• Bonus eligibility
• Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance
• Basic Life & AD&D Insurance
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Voluntary Benefits, including Life, Accident, Critical Illness, Hospital Indemnity, and Pet Insurance
• SSP 401(k) Plan with Company Match
• Paid Time Off (PTO)
• Paid Holidays
• Paid Sick Leave

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related field, or equivalent experience
• 5+ years of progressive HR experience supporting multi-site operations
• Experience as an HR Generalist, HR Manager, HR Business Partner, or comparable role
• Proven ability to coach and influence operational leaders
• Strong employee relations, investigations, conflict resolution, and relationship-building skills
• Knowledge of federal, state, and local employment laws
• Ability to interpret workforce data and translate insights into business action
• Demonstrated success influencing without direct authority in fast-paced operational environments
• Ability to work on-site at JFK airport
• Experience supporting multi-unit environments such as hospitality, restaurants, retail, logistics, manufacturing, healthcare, distribution, or other high-volume operations
• Experience supporting unionized workforces
• Experience partnering directly with operations leaders on workforce planning, engagement, retention, and succession initiatives
• SHRM-CP, SHRM-SCP, PHR, or SPHR certification

Build Your Career with SSP

At SSP America, leadership investment and internal promotion are part of the role. This position offers a pathway to Regional People Leader, Director, and Center of Excellence opportunities. You will also gain direct experience supporting a dynamic unionized workforce, exposure to high-level labor and employee relations strategy, and leadership development support from senior HR leaders.

Location: Jamaica, NY (onsite)

Compensation: USD 85,000 to 100,000 per yearly (salary varies by experience)

Schedule: Full-Time, Exempt (On-Site)