HR Lead (Hospitality)

Job Title: HR Lead (Hospitality)

Industry: Hospitality / Catering

Location: Alexandria, VA

Assignment Type: Direct Hire

Pay: $80000 – $90000 / Year (depending on experience)

Work Schedule: Full-time, 40 hours per week, 8:30am–5:00pm, onsite

Benefits: This position is eligible for medical, dental, vision, and 401(k)

About Our Client

Our client is a well-established, high-end catering company based in the Washington, DC area, serving corporate, nonprofit, and cultural organizations. The team is growth-focused, founder-led, and operates in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.

Job Description

The HR Lead (Hospitality) will serve as the primary HR leader for the organization, overseeing all HR functions and serving as a strategic partner to executive leadership. This is a hands-on, “team-of-one” role responsible for recruiting, employee relations, compliance, performance management, and building scalable HR processes to support growth. The ideal candidate thrives in a fast-paced environment, can handle sensitive matters with discretion, and has experience supporting diverse teams, including kitchen, catering, sales, and administrative staff.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead all HR functions independently, including recruiting, onboarding, employee relations, compliance, performance management, and policy development
• Partner with executive leadership to align people strategy with business goals
• Develop and implement HR processes and programs to support workforce growth and organizational efficiency
• Manage compensation, benefits, and performance management programs to ensure fairness and competitiveness
• Advise leadership on sensitive personnel matters and organizational risks
• Promote employee engagement, retention, and overall organizational performance through data-driven initiatives
• Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local employment regulations
• Serve as a trusted HR advisor to all levels of staff, fostering a culture of accountability and collaboration

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree or HR certification preferred
• 5+ years of HR leadership experience, ideally within hospitality, hotels, catering, or events
• Proven ability to manage HR independently in a fast-paced environment
• Proficient in MS Word, LinkedIn (for recruiting), and payroll systems (Paychex experience preferred)
• Previous experience with recruiting platforms (ZoomInfo, LinkedIn) and workforce management systems is a plus
• Strong interpersonal skills, thick skin, and “no task too small” mentality
• Ability to start mid-March and provide references for pre-final interview checks

Additional Details

• Start Date: Mid-March (ideal for overlap training)
• Reports to: CFO and President/Founder
• Team Size: 1
• Company Size: 150+ employees

Perks

• Health insurance via Aetna (HMO, PPO, HSA) – 50% employer contribution for individual coverage
• Dental and life insurance via United Healthcare – 50% employer contribution
• 401(k) retirement plan with enrollment opportunities following one year of employment
• Paid time off: 10 vacation days accrued annually, 4 personal days, 6 full holidays, 2 half-days

Addison Group is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Addison Group provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, amnesty, or status as a covered veteran in accordance with applicable federal, state and local laws. Addison Group complies with applicable state and local laws governing non-discrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities. Reasonable accommodation is available for qualified individuals with disabilities upon request.

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