HR Business Partner

About the Role

White Lodging develops and operates a portfolio of award-winning premium hotels, rooftop bars, and restaurants in some of the country's most dynamic cities. We know that the hospitality business, like life, is about how you make people feel. That's where you come in. You'll help bring the virtue of hospitality to life while we create an environment that allows you to be your best self and grow. We are hiring an HR Business Partner to join White Lodging's Human Resources team. This is a hybrid role — three days per week required in our Merrillville, Indiana corporate office and two days remote — offering the structure of an in-person collaborative environment alongside the flexibility of a hybrid work schedule. This is a field-facing HR role for an experienced HR professional who is ready to serve as a trusted advisor to property leaders — supporting associate relations, engagement, talent development, and business partnership across an assigned portfolio of premium hotel properties. Reporting directly to the Director of HR Business Partners, this role is an important step in White Lodging's HR career path — building the associate relations, coaching, and business partnership skills that form the foundation of a long-term HR leadership career in the hospitality industry.

Responsibilities

• Associate Relations — Serve as the primary point of contact for property leaders on HR questions, policies, and escalated associate relations matters — providing timely, consistent, and legally sound guidance across assigned hotel properties. Investigate and resolve escalated associate concerns — ensuring consistency with White Lodging policy and applicable employment law, and escalating complex or high-risk matters to the Director, HR Business Partners. Provide coaching and guidance to property managers on performance management, corrective action, and termination decisions — supporting fair, consistent, and legally compliant people management practices. Coach property leaders on conflict resolution, communication, and people leadership — building the management capability that drives associate engagement and retention at the property level. Partner with Legal and Risk teams on complex or sensitive associate relations issues — proactively flagging associate relations risks before they escalate. Ensure accurate associate records and documentation in full compliance with White Lodging policy and applicable employment law.
• Associate Engagement — Partner with field leaders to strengthen associate engagement, retention, and morale across all assigned hotel properties — translating engagement strategy into practical, property-level action. Analyze engagement survey results, turnover data, and people metrics to identify trends — and develop targeted action plans that address root causes and improve the associate experience. Support and reinforce White Lodging brand culture, service standards, and associate experience initiatives that bring the Associate Promise to life at the property level. Coach property leaders on engagement best practices in high-turnover, frontline hotel environments — and help organize recognition, feedback, and associate appreciation activities.
• Business Partnership — Serve as the HR Business Partner for assigned regions — providing strategic and operational human resources support aligned with property business objectives and White Lodging's overall people strategy. Build trusted working relationships with property leaders — acting as a credible, practical advisor on organizational effectiveness, workforce strategy, and people matters. Translate corporate HR strategies and initiatives into practical, scalable solutions for field hotel operations across the assigned portfolio. Support change management initiatives — including new hotel property openings, property transitions, and organizational reorganizations — as a key HR resource on the ground. Collaborate with Corporate HR functions to deliver consistent, high-quality HR programs across all field hotel properties.
• Succession Planning and Talent Development — Support market-level succession planning efforts for key field leadership roles — including General Managers, Assistant General Managers, and department heads — across assigned hotel properties. Identify high-potential talent within properties and assess readiness for advancement — supporting White Lodging's internal promotion pipeline and long-term leadership bench strength. Partner with Talent Management and Learning teams to support leadership development programs, internal promotion pipelines, and associate career development initiatives. Help coordinate manager and associate training activities — and provide workforce planning input for new hotel openings, acquisitions, and business changes.
• Professional Growth — Build proficiency in HR fundamentals — including employment law, associate relations, performance management, and engagement — through ongoing coaching and mentorship from the Director, HR Business Partners. Actively pursue stretch assignments to develop increasing HR scope, responsibility, and business partnership capability over time.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 2 to 5 years of progressive Human Resources experience in an HR Generalist, HR Business Partner, HR Specialist, or related HR role — required
• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Management, Psychology, Organizational Development, or a related field — required; Master's degree and/or HR certification (SHRM-CP or PHR) preferred
• Demonstrated experience partnering with managers to support employee relations, performance management, talent acquisition, and organizational effectiveness initiatives in a fast-paced, multi-unit environment
• Working knowledge of federal and state employment laws — including FMLA, ADA, FLSA, EEO, and other applicable regulations — with the ability to apply that knowledge consistently and practically in a field HR environment
• Demonstrated ability to analyze HR data and people metrics — including turnover trends, engagement survey results, and workforce data — to support business decisions and workforce planning at the property level
• Strong coaching, communication, and interpersonal skills — with the ability to build trusted relationships with property leaders and influence people management practices without direct authority
• A proactive, solutions-oriented approach to associate relations and HR business partnership — you identify risks early, escalate appropriately, and resolve issues with consistency and sound judgment
• Comfort working in a dynamic, high-turnover, frontline hospitality environment — prior hotel, restaurant, or multi-unit retail HR experience a significant plus
• A genuine desire to grow your HR career — you are coachable, curious, and ready to take on increasing responsibility as your business partnership skills develop
• Comfort and productivity in a hybrid work environment — self-directed and accountable both in the Merrillville, Indiana corporate office three days per week and working remotely

Benefits

• Hybrid work schedule — 3 days per week in our Merrillville, Indiana corporate office, 2 days remote
• A structured HR career path with mentorship from experienced HR leaders and exposure to senior HR leadership
• Cross-functional collaboration across Associate Relations, Talent Management, Learning and Development, and Corporate HR functions
• Unlimited employee referral bonuses
• 401(k) with company match
• Paid time off (PTO) with rollover
• Complimentary wellness tools
• Leadership development & tuition reimbursement
• Discounts on hotel rooms, dining, and travel
• Growth opportunities across a portfolio of 60+ premium hotel properties nationwide
• Full-time associates also receive: Medical, dental, and vision insurance — starting day 1; Life and disability insurance; Paid parental leave; Employee Assistance Program (EAP)