Chief Human Resources Officer #0405FM
Keller Executive Search
Posted: May 18, 2026
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Quick Summary
The successful candidate will lead a team to develop and execute a people strategy that supports business growth, operational performance, employee engagement, compliance, and leadership capability.
Required Skills
Job Description
A Buffalo-based hospitality organization is seeking a Chief Human Resources Officer to lead the full HR function and serve as a member of the executive leadership team. The CHRO will be responsible for developing and executing a people strategy that supports business growth, operational performance, employee engagement, compliance, and leadership capability.
The successful candidate will bring a strong mix of strategic HR leadership, labor and employee relations expertise, and experience supporting high-volume, service-oriented workforces.
Responsibilities
• Lead all HR functions, including employee relations, labor relations, talent acquisition, total rewards, HR operations, leadership development, engagement, and compliance.
• Serve as a strategic advisor to the CEO, ownership, and executive team on people, culture, organizational effectiveness, and workforce risk.
• Oversee labor relations strategy, collective bargaining preparation, union relationship management, grievances, and arbitration support.
• Develop HR infrastructure to support growth, consistency, and operational excellence across multiple sites or business units.
• Partner with business leaders to strengthen retention, succession planning, leadership capability, and workforce planning.
• Ensure HR policies, practices, and programs comply with applicable employment laws and collective bargaining agreements.
• Lead, mentor, and develop the HR leadership team.
Requirements:
• Bachelor’s degree required; master’s degree, MBA, JD, or HR certification preferred.
• 15+ years of progressive HR leadership experience, including executive-level HR responsibility.
• Experience in hospitality, food service, entertainment, gaming, restaurants, resorts, or complex service operations preferred.
• Significant labor relations and employee relations experience.
• Experience advising executive leadership and building HR strategy in a multi-site or matrixed organization.
• Strong business acumen, executive presence, and change leadership capability.
Benefits:
• $200,000 to $260,000 base salary, plus executive bonus potential
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