A hospitality, food service, and entertainment employer in Niagara Falls, NY is seeking a Senior Director, Associate Relations to lead associate relations strategy across a high-volume, guest-focused workforce. This leader will serve as a senior escalation point for complex employee matters and will partner closely with HR, Legal, Operations, and site leadership to promote fair, consistent, and compliant workplace practices.This role is ideal for a hands-on employee relations leader who understands fast-paced hospitality environments and can balance risk management with a practical, people-centered approach.ResponsibilitiesLead associate relations strategy across union and non-union employee populations.Serve as the senior escalation point for sensitive investigations, corrective action, terminations, policy interpretation, and workplace concerns.Develop frameworks for consistent investigation practices, documentation, and employee relations decision-making.Coach HR Business Partners and operational leaders on associate relations matters.Analyze associate relations trends and recommend proactive solutions to reduce risk and improve retention.Partner with Legal and Compliance on employment law, policy, and regulatory matters.Support leadership training on workplace conduct, performance management, conflict resolution, and respectful workplace practices.RequirementsBachelor’s degree required.10+ years of HR, employee relations, associate relations, or labor relations experience.Experience in hospitality, restaurants, entertainment venues, casinos, resorts, attractions, or food service operations preferred.Strong background handling complex investigations and high-risk employee matters.Knowledge of federal, New York State, and local employment laws.Ability to influence senior leaders while maintaining credibility with frontline and hourly teams.Benefits$130,000 to $165,000 base salary, plus bonus eligibilityEqual Employment Opportunity and Non-Discrimination PolicyEqual Employment Opportunity Statement: Both Keller Executive Search and our clients are Equal Opportunity Employers. For all positions, whether with Keller Executive Search or our clients, qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, skin color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, age, protected veteran status, disability, genetic information, or any other legally protected status.Commitment to Diversity: Keller Executive Search and its clients are committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive work environment where all individuals are valued and respected.Reasonable Accommodations: Both Keller Executive Search and our clients are committed to providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities and pregnant individuals. We engage in an interactive process to determine effective, reasonable accommodations.Compensation Information: For client positions, compensation information is available in the job post. If not provided, it will be shared during the interview process in accordance with applicable laws. When required by law, salary ranges will be included in job postings. Actual salary may depend on skills, experience, and comparison to current employees in similar roles. Salary ranges may vary based on role and location.Compliance with Laws: Both Keller Executive Search and our clients comply with federal, state, and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment. This policy applies to all employment terms and conditions, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.Workplace Harassment: Both Keller Executive Search and our clients expressly prohibit any form of workplace harassment based on race, skin color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, genetic information, disability, or veteran status.E-Verify Participation: Keller Executive Search and/or our clients may participate in E-Verify. Information about E-Verify participation will be provided during the application process where applicable.Privacy and Pay Equity:California Residents: For more information about the categories of personal information we collect for recruiting and employment purposes, please review our Privacy Policy.Colorado, Nevada, New York City, California, and Washington Residents: Compensation information is available in the job post or will be provided during the interview process if not initially available.Both Keller Executive Search and our clients are committed to pay equity and conduct periodic pay equity analyses in accordance with applicable laws.State-Specific Information:Rhode Island: We do not request or require salary history from applicants.Connecticut: We provide wage range information upon request or before discussing compensation.New Jersey: We do not inquire about salary history unless voluntarily disclosed.Veteran Status: Both Keller Executive Search and our clients provide equal employment opportunities to veterans and comply with applicable state laws regarding veteran preference in employment. If you are a veteran, please inform us during the application process.Genetic Information: In accordance with federal and state laws, both Keller Executive Search and our clients do not discriminate based on genetic information. We do not request or require genetic information from applicants or employees, except as permitted by law.Local Laws: Both Keller Executive Search and our clients comply with all applicable local laws and ordinances regarding employment practices in the areas where we operate.Keller Executive Search and our clients may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to assist in the recruitment and candidate evaluation process. These tools are used exclusively to support human decision-making by helping to review and assess candidate qualifications and materials. AI is never used to automatically reject, disqualify, or make final hiring decisions about candidates. All AI-assisted evaluations are reviewed by experienced recruitment professionals, and all hiring decisions are made by qualified human recruiters. Our use of AI is designed to enhance fairness, consistency, and efficiency while maintaining our commitment to equal employment opportunity and non-discrimination principles.Note: This job posting may be for a position with Keller Executive Search or one of our clients. The specific employer will be identified during the application and interview process. Employment laws and requirements may vary depending on the employer and location.
A hospitality, food service, and entertainment employer in Niagara Falls, NY is seeking a Senior Director, Associate Relations to lead associate relations strategy across a high-volume, guest-focused workforce. This leader will serve as a senior escalation point for complex employee matters and will partner closely with HR, Legal, Operations, and site leadership to promote fair, consistent, and compliant workplace practices.
This role is ideal for a hands-on employee relations leader who understands fast-paced hospitality environments and can balance risk management with a practical, people-centered approach.
Responsibilities
- Lead associate relations strategy across union and non-union employee populations.
- Serve as the senior escalation point for sensitive investigations, corrective action, terminations, policy interpretation, and workplace concerns.
- Develop frameworks for consistent investigation practices, documentation, and employee relations decision-making.
- Coach HR Business Partners and operational leaders on associate relations matters.
- Analyze associate relations trends and recommend proactive solutions to reduce risk and improve retention.
- Partner with Legal and Compliance on employment law, policy, and regulatory matters.
- Support leadership training on workplace conduct, performance management, conflict resolution, and respectful workplace practices.
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree required.
- 10+ years of HR, employee relations, associate relations, or labor relations experience.
- Experience in hospitality, restaurants, entertainment venues, casinos, resorts, attractions, or food service operations preferred.
- Strong background handling complex investigations and high-risk employee matters.
- Knowledge of federal, New York State, and local employment laws.
- Ability to influence senior leaders while maintaining credibility with frontline and hourly teams.
Benefits
- $130,000 to $165,000 base salary, plus bonus eligibility
Equal Employment Opportunity and Non-Discrimination Policy
Equal Employment Opportunity Statement: Both Keller Executive Search and our clients are Equal Opportunity Employers. For all positions, whether with Keller Executive Search or our clients, qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, skin color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, age, protected veteran status, disability, genetic information, or any other legally protected status.
Commitment to Diversity: Keller Executive Search and its clients are committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive work environment where all individuals are valued and respected.
Reasonable Accommodations: Both Keller Executive Search and our clients are committed to providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities and pregnant individuals. We engage in an interactive process to determine effective, reasonable accommodations.
Compensation Information: For client positions, compensation information is available in the job post. If not provided, it will be shared during the interview process in accordance with applicable laws. When required by law, salary ranges will be included in job postings. Actual salary may depend on skills, experience, and comparison to current employees in similar roles. Salary ranges may vary based on role and location.
Compliance with Laws: Both Keller Executive Search and our clients comply with federal, state, and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment. This policy applies to all employment terms and conditions, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.
Workplace Harassment: Both Keller Executive Search and our clients expressly prohibit any form of workplace harassment based on race, skin color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, genetic information, disability, or veteran status.
E-Verify Participation: Keller Executive Search and/or our clients may participate in E-Verify. Information about E-Verify participation will be provided during the application process where applicable.
Privacy and Pay Equity:
- California Residents: For more information about the categories of personal information we collect for recruiting and employment purposes, please review our Privacy Policy.
- Colorado, Nevada, New York City, California, and Washington Residents: Compensation information is available in the job post or will be provided during the interview process if not initially available.
- Both Keller Executive Search and our clients are committed to pay equity and conduct periodic pay equity analyses in accordance with applicable laws.
State-Specific Information:
- Rhode Island: We do not request or require salary history from applicants.
- Connecticut: We provide wage range information upon request or before discussing compensation.
- New Jersey: We do not inquire about salary history unless voluntarily disclosed.
Veteran Status: Both Keller Executive Search and our clients provide equal employment opportunities to veterans and comply with applicable state laws regarding veteran preference in employment. If you are a veteran, please inform us during the application process.
Genetic Information: In accordance with federal and state laws, both Keller Executive Search and our clients do not discriminate based on genetic information. We do not request or require genetic information from applicants or employees, except as permitted by law.
Local Laws: Both Keller Executive Search and our clients comply with all applicable local laws and ordinances regarding employment practices in the areas where we operate.
Keller Executive Search and our clients may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to assist in the recruitment and candidate evaluation process. These tools are used exclusively to support human decision-making by helping to review and assess candidate qualifications and materials. AI is never used to automatically reject, disqualify, or make final hiring decisions about candidates. All AI-assisted evaluations are reviewed by experienced recruitment professionals, and all hiring decisions are made by qualified human recruiters. Our use of AI is designed to enhance fairness, consistency, and efficiency while maintaining our commitment to equal employment opportunity and non-discrimination principles.
Note: This job posting may be for a position with Keller Executive Search or one of our clients. The specific employer will be identified during the application and interview process. Employment laws and requirements may vary depending on the employer and location.
Keller Executive Search International is a global executive search that recruits senior leaders for prominent brands and organizations. We offer full-spectrum services, such as Executive Search, Board Services, CEO Succession Planning, Executive Assessment, Business Culture Review, and Corporate Handover.
Keller Executive Search International is a global executive search that recruits senior leaders for prominent brands and organizations. We offer full-spectrum services, such as Executive Search, Board Services, CEO Succession Planning, Executive Assessment, Business Culture Review, and Corporate Handover.
