Director of Human Resources

At NAYA were on an exciting journey - growing fast sharing authentic fresh and nutritious Middle Eastern flavors and building a team that grows right along with us.

At NAYA our mission is to build genuine connections through the Middle Eastern flavors that nourish and inspire us

We are seeking a highly strategic operationally strong and people-focused Director of People Culture to help lead our next phase of growth. This role is ideal for an experienced HR leader who is approaching Vice President-level readiness and thrives in fast-paced high-growth environments.

You will love working at NAYA
We believe great people deserve great rewards. NAYA offers a comprehensive and people-focused benefits package designed to support you at work and beyond including:

• Competitive pay to recognize your impact
  
• Competitive bonus plan potential
  
• Paid Vacation time
• Medical dental and vision insurance to keep you healthy and thriving
  
• Flexible Spending Account
  
• Commuter benefits to make life easier
  
• Employee discounts and free NAYA meals because we believe in enjoying what we serve
  
• Growth opportunities at every level we invest in developing leaders from within
  Employee Assistance Pay on Demand Pet Insurance Identity Theft Protection and much more!

At NAYA youll find more than a job youll find a community that values you supports your goals and celebrates your success.

Position Summary
The Director of People Culture is responsible for supporting and managing core Human Resources and People Culture functions across the organization. This role will oversee compliance employee relations compensation support benefits administration payroll partnership talent acquisition employee engagement onboarding performance management policy administration and workforce support.

This individual will play an important role in ensuring operational consistency supporting restaurant leaders maintaining compliance and helping create a positive and people-first work environment aligned with NAYAs mission and values.

The ideal candidate is organized dependable people-focused operationally strong and comfortable balancing multiple priorities in a fast-paced restaurant environment.

• Serve as a primary HR support partner for Restaurant Leadership teams

• Partner closely with Operations leaders to support restaurant staffing employee relations onboarding compliance and team member development

• Support new restaurant openings through hiring coordination onboarding support workforce planning assistance and market pay research

• Help ensure restaurants are staffed appropriately while maintaining NAYAs culture and operational standards

• Provide guidance to restaurant leaders on performance management documentation attendance policy interpretation and workplace concerns

• Support compliance with all federal state and local labor and employment laws

• Ensure compliance with NYC Fair Work Week regulations and other applicable scheduling laws

• Support HR documentation reporting audits and recordkeeping processes

• Maintain organized and accurate employee records and HR systems

• Assist in implementing HR processes and operational standards across the organization

• Partner with Payroll Operations and other departments to support accurate and compliant people practices

• Support employee relations matters across restaurant operations and support center teams

• Conduct workplace investigations related to policy violations employee concerns harassment discrimination attendance and behavioral issues

• Handle investigations in a professional fair unbiased and confidential manner

• Provide coaching and support to leaders on progressive discipline documentation corrective actions and workplace communication

• Help maintain consistency in the application of company policies and procedures across all locations

• Support a respectful inclusive and people-first work environment

• Support the development implementation and maintenance of company HR policies and procedures

• Assist with maintaining and updating the Employee Handbook to ensure compliance and operational consistency

• Partner with Operations and leadership teams to communicate policies clearly and consistently

• Help create SOPs guidelines and people practices that support consistency across restaurant operations and support center teams

• Assist in reviewing policies and practices to ensure alignment with labor law requirements and company standards

• Support compensation benchmarking and market pay comparisons

• Assist with benefits administration and employee benefits support

• Help identify competitive and employee-focused benefit offerings

• Partner with Payroll and Operations teams to support payroll accuracy and issue resolution

• Assist employees and leaders with benefit and payroll-related questions

• Support recruiting efforts across restaurant operations and support center functions

• Help maintain and strengthen NAYAs employment brand and candidate experience

• Assist with sourcing candidates scheduling interviews onboarding coordination and recruiting process management

• Partner with Operations teams to support staffing needs and hiring initiatives

• Help create a welcoming and engaging onboarding experience for new hires

• Support performance management processes across the organization

• Assist leaders with performance conversations documentation and employee development discussions

• Help support internal growth opportunities and career pathing initiatives

• Partner with leaders to identify employee development opportunities and staffing needs

• Track and maintain HR and People Culture metrics including turnover retention hiring activity staffing levels onboarding completion and employee relations trends

• Support periodic reporting and workforce updates for Operations and HR leadership

• Help identify trends and opportunities for operational and employee experience improvements

• Maintain organized HR reporting and workforce data

• Support initiatives that improve employee engagement communication and workplace culture

• Help reinforce NAYAs mission values and people-first culture across all locations

• Assist with employee recognition engagement activities and culture-building initiatives

• Support programs that enhance the team member experience and promote retention

• 5 years of progressive Human Resources experience

• SHRM-SCP preferred

• SPHR strongly preferred

• Experience supporting multiple HR functions

• Experience in a growth company with 30 units

• Strong knowledge of labor and employment law and HR best practices

• Direct experience with NYC Fair Work Week law strongly preferred

• Experience supporting organizations with 500 employees preferred

• Strong background in employee relations compliance onboarding recruiting and HR operations

• Restaurant hospitality retail or multi-unit experience strongly preferred

• Strong organizational communication and problem-solving skills

• Ability to handle sensitive and confidential information professionally

• Ability to work in a fast-paced evolving environment with shifting priorities

• Proficiency with HRIS payroll and recruiting systems preferred

• Supports Restaurant Leadership teams effectively and consistently

• Maintains compliance and strong HR operational standards

• Helps restaurants stay staffed and onboarded successfully

• Handles employee relations matters fairly and professionally

• Supports a positive respectful and people-first culture

• Maintains accurate HR reporting records and processes

• Helps improve employee engagement retention and overall team member experience