Human Resources Manager in Washington, District of Columbia at JAG HQ DC

Position: Human Resources Manager

Location: Washington, DC
Department: People & Culture
Reports To: Director of People
Employment Type: Full-Time

Salary: $85-100k plus benefits

About José Andrés Group

José Andrés Group (JAG) is a global hospitality company dedicated to changing the world through the power of food. Through our restaurants, bars, hotels, and culinary experiences, we create extraordinary hospitality while fostering a culture rooted in excellence, innovation, and service.

We are seeking an experienced, people-focused Human Resources Manager to support our Washington, DC market. This role serves as a strategic business partner to restaurant leadership while ensuring exceptional employee experiences, compliance, talent development, and operational excellence across multiple restaurant concepts.

Position Summary

The Human Resources Manager will partner closely with Operations leadership and the People & Culture team to support all aspects of the employee lifecycle, including employee relations, performance management, talent development, recruitment support, compliance, engagement initiatives, and organizational effectiveness.

The ideal candidate is a proactive and hands-on HR professional who thrives in fast-paced hospitality environments, builds strong relationships across all levels of the organization, and is passionate about creating positive workplace cultures that drive employee engagement and business performance.

Key Responsibilities

Employee Relations & Culture

• Serve as a trusted advisor and primary HR partner to restaurant leadership teams and employees.
• Provide guidance and support on employee relations matters, workplace concerns, conflict resolution, investigations, and corrective action processes.
• Promote a culture of inclusion, accountability, respect, and hospitality across all locations.
• Conduct employee check-ins, stay interviews, and engagement initiatives to improve retention and employee satisfaction.
• Support managers in addressing performance concerns through coaching and development plans.
• Facilitate employee recognition and culture-building programs.

Talent Management & Development

• Partner with Talent Acquisition to support recruiting efforts and workforce planning initiatives.
• Assist leaders with onboarding, orientation, and integration of new team members.
• Support succession planning and internal promotion initiatives.
• Identify training and development opportunities to strengthen leadership capabilities and employee growth.
• Facilitate leadership development programs and HR-related training sessions.

Compliance & Risk Management

• Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local employment laws and regulations.
• Support I-9, E-Verify, wage and hour, leave administration, and workplace compliance initiatives.
• Maintain accurate employee records and HR documentation.
• Conduct workplace investigations and ensure appropriate documentation and follow-up.
• Partner with legal counsel and leadership when necessary on employee relations matters.
• Support workers' compensation, unemployment claims, and other risk management processes.

Performance Management

• Guide managers through performance review processes and ongoing employee feedback practices.
• Support performance improvement plans and employee development initiatives.
• Coach leaders on effective communication, accountability, and leadership best practices.
• Assist in identifying organizational challenges and recommending solutions.

HR Operations & Partnership

• Partner closely with restaurant leadership to support business objectives and operational needs.
• Analyze workforce trends, turnover metrics, and employee engagement data to identify opportunities for improvement.
• Support policy implementation and ensure consistency across locations.
• Assist with organizational changes, restructuring efforts, and workforce planning initiatives.
• Participate in special projects and strategic People & Culture initiatives.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to regularly visit restaurant locations and work in active hospitality environments.
• Ability to occasionally work evenings, weekends, and holidays as business needs require.

Benefits

• Competitive Salary
• Medical, Dental & Vision Insurance
• Company-Paid Life Insurance
• 401(k) with Company Match
• Commuter Benefits
• Employee Dining Discounts
• Education Reimbursement Program
• Paid Time Off
• Professional Development Opportunities

In Return, We Offer You

• Competitive base salary and performance-based bonus opportunities
• Comprehensive health & wellness benefits
• Retirement savings plans
• Employee dining and partner discounts
• Professional growth within an award-winning, values-driven hospitality group

Equal Opportunity Employer

José Andrés Group is an Equal Opportunity Employer and participates in the federal E-Verify Program.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in human resources, Business Administration, Hospitality Management, or related field preferred.
• 5+ years of Human Resources experience, preferably within hospitality, restaurants, hotels, retail, or multi-unit operations.
• Strong knowledge of federal, state, and local employment laws and HR best practices.
• Experience managing employee relations investigations and performance management processes.
• Demonstrated ability to influence and build credibility with leaders at all levels.
• Excellent communication, interpersonal, coaching, and conflict-resolution skills.
• Strong organizational and project management abilities.
• Experience working within HRIS systems; Paylocity experience preferred.
• SHRM-CP, SHRM-SCP, PHR, or SPHR certification preferred.
• Ability to travel locally between restaurant locations as needed.