Director, Employee Relations & Compliance

Responsible for designing and implementing a cohesive, regionally adaptable compliance framework that supports corporate offices and hotel operations across the AMER and MLAC region, aligned with business growth and brand standards.

Your day to day

• Own compliance with all applicable federal, state, and international regulatory requirements, including labor laws, wage and hour compliance, immigration/work authorization obligations, and sector‑specific filings relevant to hospitality operations. 

• Responsible for submitting required government reports, including but not limited to EEO-1, Vets 4212, OFFCP and completion of Affirmative Action Reports.

• Ensure hotels consistently meet internal policies, brand standards, and local regulatory requirements, balancing compliance rigor with operational practicality across diverse markets. 

• Support investigations, such as working conditions, disciplinary actions, and employee and applicant appeals and grievances. According to circumstances, provides guidance and recommendations for problem resolution to departmental officials and individuals. 

• Prepares and presents required and special reports and acts as owner of ADA process.  

• Establish, maintain, and regularly update internal compliance policies, codes of conduct, training programs, and reporting mechanisms. Proactively identify compliance risks and lead mitigation strategies.

• Develops and presents the operating budget for the Compliance function and, upon final budget approval, assures that all functions operate within appropriate amounts.

• Act as a visible compliance leader with senior executives, hotel leadership, Legal, HR, Finance, and Operations—driving accountability, shaping decisions, and influencing behavior without reliance on authority alone.

   

   

What we need from you

• Proven experience leading a compliance function, preferably across both corporate offices and hotel operations, with a deep understanding of how regulatory requirements translate into day‑to‑day hotel realities (e.g., labor practices, audits, licensing, brand standards). 

• Demonstrated success managing compliance across multiple countries and regulatory environments, particularly within Mexico, Latin America, Canada, and the U.S. Experience navigating varying labor laws, enforcement practices, and cultural contexts is essential. Must be able to prepare comprehensive reports and represent ideas clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing

• Strong, hands‑on experience overseeing U.S. federal filings, labor compliance, wage and hour regulations, and work authorization/immigration compliance relevant to hospitality workforces (including high‑volume, front‑line hotel populations). Must be able to research information and analyze data to arrive at valid conclusions, recommendations, and plans of action. 

• Track record of building and sustaining robust internal compliance frameworks, including policies, controls, investigations, training, and audit readiness—ideally within complex, multi‑site service organizations

• Credibility and confidence to lead through influence—driving a compliance agenda with senior leaders, hotel GMs, and corporate executives. This includes the ability to challenge constructively, simplify complexity, and embed a culture of ethical accountability across diverse teams. Must have the ability to plan, coordinate, and direct the work of subordinate staff engaged in various professional and technical functions.

Travel - 10% limited as needed