Director of HR and Talent Acquisition

JOB LOCATION: NYC HYBRID SCHEDULE (3 DAYS IN OFFICE) STARTING SALARY: $150,000 At Pets + People, we make tails wag and customers smile with products brought to market through strategic licensing and innovation. Our brands make everyday life fresh, fun, and user-friendly for the whole family. Our team of over 80 dedicated employees is headquartered in New York City with both national and global support. With our background, experience, and network, we are uniquely positioned to extend the reach of any brand to a new market. “We’ve been a pioneer in licensing since 2008, translating favorite brands into practical "pet" applications. In 2014, we expanded our vision into new markets within the "people" sector. Now, we are leveraging our long track record of success and applying it both to pets + people.” – Steven Shweky, Top Dog Director of HR & Talent Acquisition We are seeking a strategic, forward-thinking Human Resources Director to serve as a key advisor to executive leadership and drive our people strategy during a period of rapid growth. This role will function as a trusted business partner to senior management, aligning talent, culture, and organizational development initiatives with overall business objectives. The Human Resources Director will lead the development of scalable people strategies, strengthen organizational capability, and ensure we attract, develop, and retain top talent. This individual will champion a high-performance culture, proactively anticipate organizational needs, and build the infrastructure necessary to support continued expansion. What You Will Do Serve as a strategic advisor to executive leadership, providing insight and guidance on organizational design, workforce planning, talent strategy, and business growth initiatives Design and implement forward-looking HR strategies that align with company objectives and support long-term scalability Lead and evolve the full talent acquisition strategy to attract high-caliber talent aligned with our culture and growth goals Drive performance management processes that promote accountability, engagement, and continuous development Partner with department leaders to identify capability gaps and implement targeted learning and career development programs Champion company culture and employee engagement initiatives that reinforce our values and strengthen retention Oversee onboarding and leadership development programs to ensure strong integration and long-term success Ensure compliance with all federal, state, and local employment laws while proactively mitigating organizational risk Provide oversight of payroll, benefits administration, and total rewards strategy to ensure competitive and equitable programs Lead internal communications related to HR policies, organizational updates, and change management initiatives Oversee the Office Operations Manager and ensure operational excellence across workplace functions What You Bring 8+ years of progressive Human Resources leadership experience, including strategic partnership with executive teams Demonstrated success operating in high-growth, fast-paced environments where adaptability and scalability are critical Deep knowledge of U.S. employment law and risk management best practices Strong business acumen with the ability to connect people strategy to financial and operational outcomes Proven ability to anticipate challenges, think critically, and implement proactive solutions Sound judgment and the ability to make independent, high-impact decisions Exceptional communication and influencing skills across all levels of the organization Experience in the CPG industry preferred, but not required