Director Of Human Resources

Lazy Bear, JouJou and True Laurel are looking for a Director of People and HR to help guide our teams to a better employee and employer experience, ultimately resulting in a better hospitality both internally and externally. This position would be expected to report to the restaurants on a daily/weekly basis.

This role is vital to the success of our employees and our businesses. We are looking for an candidate eager to make their mark on our cultures. Prior experience in a restaurant environment is a must. Fluency in CA time & attendance rules, Paylocity/Paycom, Ease, Principal, HCSO filings, workers comp, paid and unpaid leave requirements preferred.

Duties would include, but not limited to

Core areas of responsibility

• Compliance & Risk Management

Ensure the company is following all labor laws and minimizing risk. This includes:

• Wage & hour compliance (overtime, meal/rest breaks, tip laws)
• Classification (exempt vs. non-exempt, contractors vs. employees)
• Workplace safety (WVPP, IIPP and OSHA alignment)
• Required certifications (sexual harassment prevention, Food Handler’s, RBS)
• Investigating employee relations issues (harassment, discrimination, conflicts)
• Managing leaves (FMLA, CFRA, sick leave, etc.)
• Keeping policies and handbooks up to date
• Workers Compensation policy & claims
• Employee Relations & Culture

They set the tone for how people are treated across all locations:

• Alongside ownership, coaching managers on handling performance issues (progressive discipline) and conflict
• Leading investigations and resolving complaints
• Supporting terminations and ensuring they’re handled appropriately
• Work with ownership and managers in building a respectful, diverse, inclusive and equitable workplace culture
• How do people feel seen and heard? Do they feel cared for as human beings?
• How do you celebrate people and acknowledge good performance, not just bad?
• How do you create and maintain psychological safety?
• Being a trusted resource for both staff and leadership
• Recruiting & Hiring Strategy
• Designing hiring processes that work at scale (especially for hourly roles)
• Partnering with GMs, Chefs and operators on staffing needs
• Ensuring diverse, equitable and consistent hiring practices
• Building pipelines and reducing turnover
• Training & Development
• Creating onboarding systems (critical in restaurants)
• Training managers on leadership, compliance, and people management
• Supporting career pathways and internal promotions
• Implementing performance management systems
• Compensation & Benefits
• Designing and maintaining pay structures (hourly, salaried, tipped roles)
• Ensuring internal equity across locations
• Managing benefits programs (healthcare, PTO, etc.)
• Supporting budgeting and labor cost planning with finance/ops
• HR Systems & Operations
• Overseeing HRIS, payroll coordination, and employee data
• Creating efficient, scalable processes across multiple locations
• Standardizing documentation and workflows
• Tracking key metrics (turnover, retention, hiring timelines)
• Equity, Inclusion, and Workplace Standards

Especially important in mission-driven or diverse food spaces

• Embedding equitable practices into hiring, pay, and advancement
• Creating clear expectations around workplace behavior
• Leading or supporting trainings and accountability structures

More detail about Lazy Bear part of JouJou, Lazy Bear & True Laurel