HR Director

About the role

Sotera Health is seeking an experienced and strategic HR Director to lead HR delivery for a large and complex multi-site region in the US and Canada (25 US sites, 3 Canada sites; ~1,000+ employees). This role provides both strategic leadership and hands-on execution across the full HR lifecycle for the region, translating business priorities into actionable people strategies while remaining closely engaged in complex employee relations, organizational, and operational matters. You will lead and develop a high-performing team of HR Business Partners to shape leadership decisions, use data and business insight to challenge assumptions, elevate standards and drive disciplined execution across the region. You will also operate as a trusted advisor to senior regional and corporate leadership and partner closely with HR Operations and the Talent and Compensation Centers of Excellence (COEs) to drive enterprise HR programs, organizational capability, and leadership effectiveness across the region.

Responsibilities

• Strategic HR & Organizational Leadership – Serve as the primary HR leader and strategic advisor for the US & Canada region, enabling business priorities through people strategies. Influence senior leaders by providing data‑driven insights, proactive recommendations, and strategic foresight on talent, structure, and workforce trends.
• People Leadership & Partnership – Lead, develop, and coach a team of three HR Business Partners, fostering a culture of accountability, continuous improvement, and strategic partnership. Build team capability around analytics, talent management, and advanced employee relations. Partner with regional leadership to anticipate business needs and align HR strategies with organizational goals.
• Employee Lifecycle & HR Delivery – Oversee end-to-end HR execution including onboarding, performance management, career growth, engagement, and offboarding. Drive consistency in HR programs and policies across sites while honoring local legal requirements.
• Employee Relations & Compliance – Lead and provide expert guidance on complex employee relations matters, including investigations, performance management, conflict resolution, and disciplinary actions, ensuring consistent, fair, and legally sound outcomes. Partner with legal counsel and senior leadership to proactively identify and mitigate organizational risk. Ensure compliance with U.S. federal/state and Canadian provincial employment laws, advising leaders on regulatory requirements and mitigating organizational risk across multiple sites.
• People Analytics & Workforce Insights – Lead regional people analytics, using data to identify trends, diagnose organizational issues, and shape workforce planning decisions. Leverage analytics to improve decision‑making, operational efficiency, and organizational effectiveness.
• Collaboration with HR Operations & COEs – Ensure seamless coordination between field HR and centralized HR Operations to optimize employee experience and HR service delivery. Act as the key regional liaison to Talent Acquisition, Compensation, Learning, and HR Operations COEs.

Required Experience and Skills

• Bachelor’s degree in HR, Business, or related field
• A minimum of 10 years of progressive HR experience, including people leadership
• Experience in manufacturing and corporate environments
• Strong background in complex employee relations with demonstrated analytical capability
• Experience collaborating with HR Operations and COEs
• Excellent communication and stakeholder influence skills
• Advanced analytical capability with proficiency in Excel, HR systems, and workforce metrics

Preferred Qualifications

• HR certification (e.g., SHRM-SCP, SPHR)
• Experience supporting unionized workforces (considered a plus)
• Experience in multi-site operations

Competencies

• Enterprise mindset & strategic leadership
• Advanced data-driven decision making
• Leadership development and coaching
• Strong judgment, integrity & risk management
• Executive influence & communication

Pay & Benefits

Pay: $133,500–$227,000 annually, based on experience, qualifications, and skills.

Benefits: Sotera Health offers a competitive benefits package that includes:

• Medical, Rx, Dental, Vision, Disability, Life Insurance
• Health Savings and Flexible Spending Accounts
• 401(k) program with Company match that immediately vests
• Paid holidays, vacation and sick time
• Free financial planning assistance
• Paid parental leave
• Education assistance
• Voluntary benefits including Critical Illness, Accident, Hospital Indemnity and Pet Insurance
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)