HR Director in Washington, District of Columbia at Call Your Mother Deli

HR Director

Washington, DC

THE BEST PEOPLE IN THE WORLD.

THE BEST-ISH BAGELS IN THE WORLD.

OUTTA THIS WORLD OPPORTUNITY.

Call Your Mother is the Jew-ish deli where Boca meets Brooklyn, grandma-level hospitality meets seriously good bagel sandwiches, and hard work meets face-melting vibes.

Husband-and-wife team Andrew and Chef Dani built Call Your Mother around a simple idea: make scrumptious, nostalgic food and unforgettable experiences without being bougie or taking ourselves too seriously. From our first little farmer’s market stand in 2018, to shops across the DMV, Colorado, Chicago, and Philadelphia in 2026, we’re spreading carb love all over the map and our ovens are just getting warmed up! We’ll take bagels to mars if the locals are hungry up there.

Silly-good bagels deserve seriously good people practices. As our first HR Director, you'll have the opportunity to build, shape, and elevate our people experience as we continue to grow.

This is both a builder's role and a roll-up-your-sleeves role. We're looking for someone who loves creating scalable systems and processes, thrives in compliance details, and is just as energized by coaching a manager, navigating a complex employee relations issue, visiting our shops, or jumping in wherever the team needs support.

You'll partner closely with our Chief People & Culture Officer to lead the day-to-day HR function across multiple markets while helping build a people-first organization that can grow without losing what makes Call Your Mother special.

If you’re picking up what we’re laying down, keep reading!

• Have 6+ years of progressive Human Resources experience, including leading an HR function in a multi-unit, multi-state, hospitality, restaurant, or retail environment.
• Have experience partnering with executive leadership to develop people strategies that support a growing business.
• Have successfully led and developed high-performing HR teams through coaching, accountability, and relationship-building.
• Have deep expertise in employee relations, investigations, performance management, employment law, benefits administration, leave management, and compliance.
• Are experienced with HRIS platforms (ADP Workforce Now preferred) and enjoy improving systems, processes, and workflows.
• Possess exceptional communication skills and can turn complex HR topics into practical, approachable guidance.
• Demonstrate outstanding organization, judgment, and project management skills while balancing multiple priorities.
• Thrive in fast-paced, entrepreneurial environments where priorities evolve and no two days look the same.
• Believe great HR is built on trust, empathy, accountability, and strong relationships.
• Enjoy coaching leaders through difficult conversations and helping them become stronger people managers.
• Balance strategic thinking with hands-on execution, moving comfortably between long term planning, manager coaching, compliance, and shop visits.
• Sweat the details because consistent people practices create exceptional employee experiences.
• Are comfortable traveling regularly to our shops and spending time where the work happens.
• Are able to be flexible with your schedule based on the needs of the business, which may include nights, weekends, and holidays.
• Have conversational proficiency in Spanish, or are excited to continue learning. While not required, it's a valuable asset when supporting our teams.
• Are digging our big BIG V.I.B.E.S. (Vibrancy, Integrity, Belonging, Energy, and Seize the Moment).

Shall we proceed? If you blurted out an audible “YES INDEED!” then please keep reading.

• Lead the day-to-day Human Resources function across all Call Your Mother locations, including but not limited to employee lifecycle processes, compliance, policy development and enforcement, performance and talent management, disputes and investigations, occupational health and safety, compensation, benefits, and leave management.
• Partner with the Chief People & Culture Officer to develop and execute HR strategies that support our continued growth.
• Coach, develop, and lead a high-performing, multi-state Human Resources team.
• Serve as a trusted advisor to leaders on employee relations, performance management, organizational planning, compliance, and leadership development.
• Lead complex employee relations matters, investigations, and conflict resolution with professionalism, consistency, and confidentiality.
• Oversee compliance with all federal, state, and local employment laws, ensuring policies and practices remain current and effective.
• Develop, implement, and continuously improve HR policies, procedures, handbooks, job descriptions, and people programs.
• Lead and evolve performance management, employee engagement, recognition, career development, and talent initiatives.
• Oversee benefits administration, leave management, workers' compensation, retirement plans, ACA reporting, and other employee programs.
• Partner with Learning & Development to deliver impactful leadership and HR training.
• Serve as the strategic owner of our HRIS, ensuring accurate data, reporting, system optimization, and process improvements.
• Build strong relationships across the organization by maintaining a visible presence in our shops, commissaries, and support center.
• Manage relationships with HR vendors and external partners, including benefits brokers and service providers.
• Develop and manage the Human Resources budget while identifying opportunities to improve efficiency and scale.
• Foster an approachable, people-first culture rooted in our V.I.B.E.S. while helping CYM continue to be an exceptional place to work.

• Competitive salary $135,000, plus annual bonus opportunity and stock options.
• Make an impact. You'll work directly with our Chief Culinary Officer to influence standards, recipes, and how every shop executes.
• Health Insurance. Health, dental, and vision insurance.
• Unlimited paid time off because you deserve it…duh.
• 100% Paid, 12 week parental leave for time with the itty, bitty baby!
• 401(k) with 4% company match. Plan for a bright and beautiful future!
• Step your knowledge game up. Free English and Spanish classes, plus Duolingo reimbursement.
• Real support when life gets complicated. Confidential therapy and professional resources for mental health, legal guidance, financial wellness, and more.
• BAGELS ON THE HOUSE! Plus 50% off when you're off the clock.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

The physical demands for this position include seeing, hearing, speaking, reading, and communicating effectively; standing, walking, reaching, bending, and performing repetitive physical movements; lifting up to 50 pounds; and safely operating equipment and tools using manual dexterity. This role also requires working in a fast-paced environment around hot equipment, sharp tools, and varying temperatures, and occasionally working in confined spaces. These physical requirements may be accomplished with or without reasonable accommodation. .

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

Call Your Mother is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We enthusiastically celebrate the diversity of our team and believe that talent, passion, and experience are the only relevant criteria for considering new team members. We provide equal opportunities to everyone who works for us and every applicant. We consider applicants for all positions without regard to sex or gender, gender identity, gender expression, age, race, religious creed, color, national origin, ancestry, pregnancy, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, sexual orientation, military or veteran status, or any other legally protected status.

CALL YOUR MOTHER PARTICIPATES IN E-VERIFY.