Director of Human Resources

WHO WE ARE

Breakaway Group is a premier entertainment and music festival multimedia company producing the largest independent touring music festival in North America, spanning 13 cities over 9 months. With a focus on underserved markets, Breakaway delivers a premium two-day EDM/Pop festival experience,  featuring an ever-evolving lineup of top artists, directly to where fans live, work, and play.

THE ROLE

Breakaway is seeking an experienced and strategic Director of Human Resources to lead and evolve the company’s people function during an exciting period of growth. This role will serve as the senior HR leader responsible for developing and executing people strategies that support business objectives while fostering a high-performance, employee-centric culture.

The Director of Human Resources will oversee all aspects of the employee experience, including talent acquisition, employee relations, compensation, benefits, compliance, organizational development, performance management, and HR operations. This individual will partner closely with executive leadership to build scalable people processes, develop talent, strengthen organizational effectiveness, and ensure Breakaway remains an employer of choice.

This role will be a key guardian and architect of Breakaway’s culture. As the organization grows, this leader will ensure the company continues to foster a vibrant culture of collaboration, accountability, innovation, and teamwork. They will work closely with leaders across the business to reinforce core values, drive employee engagement, build strong leadership capabilities, and create an environment where people can thrive both professionally and personally.

The ideal candidate combines strong business acumen with deep HR expertise and thrives in fast-paced, entrepreneurial environments. This role requires both strategic leadership and operational excellence, serving as a trusted advisor to leadership while ensuring the company’s people infrastructure supports continued growth.

Requirements

RESPONSIBILITIES:

HR Leadership & People Strategy

• Develop and execute a comprehensive people strategy aligned with Breakaway’s business objectives and growth plans.
• Serve as a strategic advisor to executive leadership on organizational design, workforce planning, talent development, employee engagement, and culture.
• Lead the continued evolution of the company’s HR function, systems, policies, and processes to support scalability.
• Build and maintain a high-performance culture that reflects Breakaway’s values and supports employee success.
• Utilize people analytics and workforce data to inform decision-making and organizational planning.
• Lead major company initiatives and events alongside other key stakeholders, such as the company's annual end-of-year summit 

Employee Relations & Organizational Development

• Provide guidance and leadership on employee relations matters, conflict resolution, performance management, and employee engagement.
• Lead performance review processes, succession planning, leadership development, and talent management programs.
• Coach managers and leaders on employee development, organizational effectiveness, and people management best practices.
• Develop initiatives that support employee retention, engagement, and professional growth.

Compensation, Benefits & Total Rewards

• Oversee compensation structures, salary benchmarking, bonus programs, and total rewards strategy.
• Manage company healthcare, retirement, and additional benefits programs.
• Partner with brokers and vendors to ensure competitive, compliant, and cost-effective offerings.
• Lead annual benefits renewals, compensation reviews, and employee communications regarding total rewards.

Payroll, HR Operations & Systems

• Oversee and process payroll operations for employees and contractor payments through Rippling.
• Ensure payroll accuracy, compliance, and timely processing of wages, bonuses, reimbursements, and deductions.
• Ensure employee records, HR documentation, and reporting are maintained accurately and efficiently.
• Drive process improvements that enhance operational effectiveness and employee experience.

Compliance & Risk Management

• Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local employment laws and regulations across all operating markets.
• Maintain HR policies, employee handbook materials, and required employment documentation.
• Oversee workplace investigations, compliance training programs, and risk mitigation initiatives.
• Partner with legal counsel and external advisors as needed on employment-related matters.

Leadership & Team Development

• Build and lead the HR function as the organization grows.
• Develop HR team capabilities, processes, and best practices.
• Foster strong cross-functional partnerships across all departments.
• Serve as a trusted resource and advocate for both employees and leadership.

QUALIFICATIONS

• 8+ years of progressive human resources experience, including leadership responsibilities.
• Experience leading HR strategy, employee relations, talent management, compensation, benefits, and compliance functions.
• Strong knowledge of U.S. employment law and multi-state compliance requirements.
• Experience managing payroll, HR systems, and people operations infrastructure.
• Demonstrated success building scalable HR programs and processes in growing organizations.
• Strong leadership, communication, and relationship-building skills.
• Ability to influence and partner effectively with executives and department leaders.
• High level of discretion and ability to manage confidential information.

• Experience in startup, entertainment, media, live events, hospitality, or high-growth environments.
• Experience supporting a distributed and contractor-heavy workforce.
• Experience with Rippling or similar modern HRIS platforms.
• SHRM-SCP, SPHR, or equivalent HR certification.
• Experience building and leading HR teams through periods of rapid organizational growth.

Benefits

• Flexible work environment
• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance
• 401(k) plan with employer matching
• Paid Vacation Plans