Senior Director of Human Resources & People (Department Head)

Ocean State Job Lot ("OSJL" or the "Company") is a thriving $850+ million general merchandise retailer with a significant presence throughout the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. With over 170 stores currently operating and plans for expansion to 180 locations, OSJL exemplifies a vibrant, community-focused retail brand dedicated to growth and innovation in the competitive retail landscape. Owning over half of its retail spaces and managing 8 million square feet of retail footprint, the company demonstrates not only stability and strength but also a long-term vision geared towards sustainable success. OSJL prides itself on delivering exceptional value to its customers and fostering a positive impact on the communities it serves through responsible retail practices and a commitment to excellence.

The role of Senior Director of Human Resources & People at Ocean State Job Lot is a senior leadership opportunity crafted for an innovative, strategic thinker who will design and implement the company’s future-state People strategy. This position is more than a traditional HR function, serving as a key strategic advisor to the Vice President and executive leadership team. With a focus on leveraging data, cutting-edge HR technologies, and artificial intelligence, the Senior Director will architect a dynamic People vision that aligns workforce talents and structures with the company’s evolving business goals.

This role is a blend of visionary leadership and operational mastery, encompassing core HR functionalities such as Total Rewards, Associate Relations, Compliance, and Talent Development. The Senior Director will be responsible for building and maintaining a robust talent and succession pipeline, uniting a high-performing team around a single compelling vision of forward-thinking human resources. This position demands a change agent who is motivated to lead enterprise-wide transformation, championing adoption of new people strategies and driving organizational effectiveness through modern, efficient HR processes.

Key responsibilities include leading organizational structure redesigns to create a support center of the future tailored to enhance business outcomes, fostering a culture of leadership development, championing diversity and inclusion, and ensuring compliance with employment laws while maintaining positive employee relations. The Senior Director will regularly collaborate with business leaders to influence decision-making with empirical insights and strategic foresight, ensuring that HR initiatives drive sustainable competitive advantages. Additionally, this leader will manage change initiatives with strategic communication and stakeholder engagement to guarantee smooth transitions and adoption of new technologies and methodologies.

This full-time role is based in the corporate office with expectations of full-time on-site presence from Monday through Friday, with some flexibility for remote work on a pre-approved basis. Travel to retail locations will be necessary, estimated at 20% or less. The Senior Director will work in both office and warehouse environments, necessitating familiarity with operational and safety protocols relevant to warehouse settings.

Ocean State Job Lot offers competitive compensation and comprehensive benefits, including paid time off, health coverage (medical, dental, vision), 401(k) programs, and flexible spending accounts. The company encourages applicants who thrive in a fast-paced, growth-oriented retail environment and who are passionate about shaping the future of human resources to apply. This leadership position invites a seasoned professional with at least five years of senior executive experience in retail or similar industries to join a company poised for continued expansion and success.