Director, Human Resources

About the role

The Director, Human Resources is the most senior people leader at ASICS Creation Center (ACC), our global product creation office in Boston. This is a hands-on leadership role where the Director is expected to balance strategic planning with direct execution across all areas of Human Resources.

Responsibilities

• Execute the HR direction and standards set by Global and shape them into programs that make sense for ACC’s scale, culture, and goals.
• Bring ACC’s on-the-ground perspective back to Global, helping to shape company-wide HR strategy while keeping ACC aligned with corporate expectations.
• Partner with the CEO and leadership team to provide strategic guidance on organizational design, workforce planning and talent decisions.
• Act as the senior people presence in the Boston office, setting its culture, upholding its standards, and keeping the day-to-day environment running smoothly.
• Evaluate and adjust how ACC’s HR function operates so it keeps pace as the office grows and becomes more complex.
• Build the case for new people initiatives, building the rationale and bringing stakeholders across ASICS along.
• Guide the organization through periods of growth, change, and new undertakings.
• Develop and manage the departmental budget for the HR function.
• Talent Acquisition and Workforce Planning:
• Lead the full lifecycle recruitment process, partnering with hiring managers to identify, assess, and hire exceptional talent.
• Contribute to the strategic recruitment plan, including recruitment marketing and partnerships with product-related recruiters.
• Support and enforce best hiring practices across the ASICS Creation team to ensure equitable recruitment processes and adherence to applicable legislation and regulations.
• Tailor the corporate onboarding process to provide a supportive onboarding experience to ASICS Creation Center employees in the U.S.
• Employee Relations & Engagement:
• Respond to employee relations matters by completing investigations and required documentation in accordance with local, state, and federal law.
• Administer leaves of absence including FMLA, any applicable state leave, and ADA accommodations, ensuring compliance with applicable federal and state requirements.
• Review employee handbooks to ensure they are localized and consistent with applicable ASICS Creation Center and ASICS policies.
• Provide coaching, guidance, and support to leadership in employee relations matters.
• Support leaders by facilitating meetings to coach, discipline, and terminate employment when necessary.
• Implement and maintain programs, policies, and initiatives to improve employee engagement and retention.
• Carefully coordinate employee annual performance reviews, performance calibration, the merit cycle, and goal setting; assist managers with associated tracking of goals and objectives.
• Total Rewards:
• Advise on regional benefit plans and their impacts on the organization and employees.
• Oversee and administer employee benefits programs, including vendor management, annual open enrollment, employee communications, and compliance with applicable federal and state regulations.
• Administer and manage compensation programs, including merit increases, bonuses, and employee communication.
• Establish and maintain an equitable job evaluation and compensation program, including market pricing and compliance with regional requirements.
• Evaluate benefits offerings to ensure programs remain competitive and aligned with organizational needs.
• HR Operations & Data:
• Administer and manage employee information in the HRIS, ensuring accuracy of data.
• Prepare necessary personnel reports for management and ASICS HQ as needed.
• Maintain all employee files to ensure the highest level of confidentiality.
• Manage HR compliance requirements including I-9 and work authorization records, EEO-1 reporting, and other applicable federal and state filings.
• Carefully coordinate with Finance and ASICS to complete the payroll process, ensuring payroll changes are communicated timely and accurately and in compliance with policies and with federal, state, and local tax regulations.
• Maintain time-off records, leaves of absence, and related matters for employees.
• Ensure HR initiatives and operational priorities are executed with a high level of quality, attention to detail and timeliness.
• HR Programs & Global Mobility:
• Aid in the creation and facilitation of learning and development programs and initiatives.
• Participate in the ACC diversity and inclusion committee. Implement diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives designed by ACC and Global diversity and inclusion committees.
• Manage global mobility for expatriate employees, including visa processing, immigration coordination, onboarding and ongoing local HR support throughout their assignment.
• Assess and leverage the right mix of internal ASICS resources, in-house builds, and external partners to deliver HR programs effectively.

Qualifications

• A minimum of 10 years of progressive HR experience, including time in a senior or HR business partner–level role; experience in the footwear, athletic, or consumer products industry a plus.
• Bachelor’s degree required, preferably in Human Resources or related field; SHRM or HRCI certification preferred.
• Demonstrated experience with U.S. employment law, the talent management cycle, and HR operations.
• A hands-on, adaptable working style; the confidence to lead at a senior level paired with a genuine willingness to handle day-to-day execution in a small-office setting.
• Demonstrated success operating within a global or matrixed organization, including turning direction from a global or corporate headquarters into effective local programs.
• Strong relationship and influencing skills, with a history of earning trust and building effective working relationships with people at every level of a company.
• Excellent communication skills, professional presence, and high emotional intelligence with proven people management abilities.
• Strong attention to detail with the ability to multitask, prioritize tasks, and meet deadlines.
• Ability to work independently and exercise sound judgment with minimal supervision.
• Experience with SAP SuccessFactors and ADP is preferred.

Pay

The anticipated base salary range for this role is $150,000 - $175,000.

Schedule

This role is expected to work from the Boston office at least two days per week to support collaboration and partnership.