Vice President, People Strategy & Employee Relations

Dutch Bros Coffee; Phoenix (AZ); Hybrid; USD 250,000 - 420,000; Full time

Job summary

Dutch Bros Coffee is seeking an accomplished executive to lead the People Business Partner and Employee Relations functions from our Tempe HQ. This VP role will set the enterprise strategy, build scalable operating models, and advise C-suite leaders on talent, risk, and organizational design across Headquarters and field operations.

You will oversee budgets, talent development, change initiatives, and workforce analytics to strengthen leadership capability and company performance.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Communications, or a related field required; master’s degree highly preferred.
• 13+ years of progressive Human Resources leadership experience, including significant experience leading leaders and building high-performing teams.
• Required: Senior HR leadership experience in a complex, geographically dispersed, multi-unit organization.
• Demonstrated success leading People Business Partner and Employee Relations strategies across both corporate or Headquarters functions and Field operations.
• Proven ability to advise and influence C-suite executives and senior operational leaders on business, talent, organizational, and workforce risk decisions.
• Track record of scaling teams, operating models, and people practices in a high-growth environment.
• Deep expertise in employee relations, investigations, organizational design, talent and succession, change leadership, workforce analytics, and employment risk.
• Strong business and financial acumen, including budget, headcount, vendor, and resource management.
• Exceptional leadership presence, judgment, communication, and ability to lead effectively through ambiguity and change.
• Workday experience preferred.
• Ability to travel regularly to support Field engagement and business needs.

Responsibilities

• Set and lead the enterprise strategy for People Business Partners and Employee Relations across Headquarters and all multi-unit Field operations.
• Build and execute multi-year operating plans that strengthen leadership capability, talent outcomes, organizational health, culture, and business performance.
• Influence enterprise decisions through sound judgment and data-backed insights on workforce trends, talent risks, employee relations, and organizational design.
• Serve as a senior member of the People leadership team, shaping cross-functional strategy and ensuring Headquarters and Field priorities remain connected.
• Lead, coach, and develop senior leaders and teams of People Business Partners and Employee Relations professionals supporting Headquarters and multi‑unit Field operations.
• Establish clear accountabilities, leadership expectations, capabilities, and service delivery standards across both functions.
• Build a scalable operating model, talent bench, and succession pipeline that can support continued enterprise growth.
• Oversee budgets, staffing, vendor partnerships, and resource allocation to deliver strong business outcomes and effective risk management.
• Serve as a trusted advisor to executives on complex workforce matters, investigations, labor and employment risk, organizational effectiveness, and leadership decisions.
• Partner proactively with Legal and business leaders to resolve high-risk matters and implement consistent, scalable practices across Headquarters and Field.
• Establish enterprise workforce insights and operating rhythms across Headquarters and Field, including turnover, staffing, engagement, retention, employee relations trends, and leadership capability.
• Anticipate future workforce and organizational needs through analytics, trend forecasting, and close partnership with business leaders.
• Translate insights into executive recommendations and measurable actions that improve business, talent, and culture outcomes.
• Ensure rigorous execution of enterprise talent routines, including leadership assessment, calibration, succession planning, performance management, and high-potential development.
• Partner with Headquarters and Field leaders to strengthen organizational capability, leadership effectiveness, and ready‑now talent pipelines.
• Model people-first leadership and hold teams accountable for a consistent, high-quality employee experience across every location and function.
• Own the enterprise Employee Relations strategy and ensure consistent, legally compliant investigations, case management, corrective action, and risk mitigation across Headquarters and Field.
• Provide executive-level judgment and direction on complex, sensitive, and high-risk employee matters.
• Use case trends and root‑cause analysis to identify systemic issues, strengthen leader capability, and reduce enterprise risk.
• Lead enterprise people and organizational change across Headquarters and Field, ensuring clear strategy, sponsorship, communication, and adoption.
• Equip People leaders and business leaders to navigate growth, organizational transitions, and evolving workforce needs.
• Build trust and accountability through transparent communication, aligned decision‑making, and disciplined execution.

Skills

Senior HR leadership

People strategy

Employee relations

Workforce analytics

Budget management

Executive coaching

C-suite advisory

Education

Bachelor’s degree in HR, Business Administration, Communications

Master’s degree preferred

Tools

Workday

Job description

Dutch Bros Coffee is seeking an accomplished executive to lead the People Business Partner and Employee Relations functions from our Tempe HQ. This VP role will set the enterprise strategy, build scalable operating models, and advise C-suite leaders on talent, risk, and organizational design across Headquarters and field operations.

You will oversee budgets, talent development, change initiatives, and workforce analytics to strengthen leadership capability and company performance.