SUMMARY - Position Based Onsite In Cheyenne, WyomingPassionate about people? Eager to work with a company building a first-class racetrack and gaming operation? Have previous success in bringing your knowledge and expertise to build a department/team from the ground up? If you answered YES to any of these questions, Cowboy Racing and Thunder Plains Racetrack could be the right fit for you!Cowboy Racing LLC is expected to conduct live horse racing at a brand-new track outside Cheyenne in the Summer of 2025. We are also building several off-track betting locations in Cheyenne and around the State with Historical Horse Racing (HHR) games offered at each location. This Racing and Gaming enterprise will be licensed and regulated by the Wyoming Gaming Commission under the authority of the Governor's Office. 1/ST LLC has partnered with Cowboy Racing, LLC to bring first-class racetrack and gaming operations to Cheyenne, Wyoming. Check out www.thunderplains.com for more information on this new project. Also, please feel free to check out www.1st.com. We look forward to hearing from you!The Director of Human Resources position performs strategic and tactical ( hands-on ) duties for Racing and Gaming business operations and is a crucial role in the business' success. This position leads, manages and performs Human Resources functions and duties daily. This position administers, supports and directs human resources operations duties affecting the full employment lifecycle of the employee population. This position is a vital course of human resources information and works in a highly visible capacity. The role acts as a bridge between employees and the Human Resources team as the first-person employees contact and/or interact with related to a Human Resources matter. This role develops the overall Human Resources strategy for the company including aligning Human Resources initiatives with the company's goals and objectives. And as a Senior Leader, partners with Racing and Gaming Operations leaders in leading and managing the business. This position supports and ensures the maintenance of perception and reality where Human Resources is 'beyond reproach' related to accountability, confidentiality, fairness and consistency. The Director of Human Resources position manages the Human Resources functions in a start-up capacity through to business growth, stability and continuity.The position's competencies include but are not limited to the following: Active Listening, Business Acumen; Comprehension; Confidentiality; Continuous Improvement; Customer Focus; Creativity; Communication Proficiency; Dependability; Decision Making; Flexibility, Integrity (fostering trust and a positive work environment); Innovation (bringing creativity to the workplace); Leadership; Organizational Skills; Personal Effectiveness & Credibility; Problem Solving & Analysis; Project Management, Punctuality, Relationship Development; Results Driven; Self-Assurance; Strategic Awareness; Tactical Know-How ; Technology Skills; Time Management and Teamwork Orientation.
- Sets, enforces and evaluates legally compliant human resources policies, procedures and best practices and identifying and implementing long-range strategic talent management goals
- In partnership with the Leadership Team, develops, defines and implements a work environment that supports growth, inspires greatness and embraces change within a growing organization
- Collaborates with department management in identifying key performance indicators for the company's talent management functions and assesses the company's success and market competitiveness based on these metrics
- In partnership with the Leadership Team, drafts and implements the budget for the Human Resources department
- Works closely with department management to assess in-house talent and create strategy to identify and retain current talent as well as attract outside talent to the business while modeling organizational culture, values, and behaviors.
- Performs all recruitment (talent acquisition) duties in a lead role and/or as sole team member. Demonstrates drive and creativity in sourcing best talents and utilizing best resources. May participate in applicable job/career fairs.
- Facilitates all onboarding duties for new hires including new hire paperwork
- Oversees (and as the main point of contact) the administration and management of all benefits programs including but not limited to: enrollment, open enrollment, terminations, changes/change reporting, communication, vendor relationships, claims resolution, invoice approval for payment and data entry with all benefits (medical, dental, vision, life insurance, disability, supplemental and retirement plans). Creates, designs and implements applicable communication to employee and management populations. Facilitates applicable change authorizations in respective HRIS/Payroll systems. Maintains a dashboard of benefits administration metrics to understand the effectiveness for all benefits activities and to share with Leadership Team members. Participates and coordinates with the Leadership Team in evaluating cost-effectiveness and employee/employer needs related to individual benefits programs along with facilitating benefits communication efforts.
- Serves as main point-of-contact in coordinating and managing Leaves of Absences (LOAs)
- Reviews and analyzes compensation activities throughout each calendar year and provides recommendations for any applicable changes, for the company and/or by individual employee.
- Maintains awareness of laws and regulations directly impacting the company and shares knowledge/information with applicable team members
- Works with employee population on a variety of employee relations matters and 'walks the floor' on a regular basis maintaining visibility and positive employee relations. In partnership with department management, creates a positive experience for candidates and stakeholders through professional and productive verbal and written communication and ensures accuracy and timeliness of information
- Facilitates resolution to employee concerns during workplace investigations processes. Serves in a backup role and/or partnering contributor for internal legal counsel related to employee relations matters and investigations
- Partners with Managers in creating, guiding, reviewing and authorizing (for compliance) corrective action documentation presented to employees in the Coaching To Success process
- Partners with Managers in creating, guiding, reviewing and authorizing (for compliance) separation of employment documentation; May participate with a manager in a separation of employment meeting
- Performs administrative and facilitative duties, as lead point person and/or as backup, associated with training (learning and development) including but not limited to: inputting and uploading data/documentation to employee files; inputting training completion data (and uploading applicable documentation) in employee files; creating training and development tools/resources and facilitating training to employees and/or management populations related to Human Resources and/or Payroll topics
- Manages performance management program(s) including but not limited to: creating performance management tools/resources; creating communication/training information; providing applicable data to Managers; and providing applicable reporting to senior management.
- Partners with local Safety team members in ensuring the work environment is safe and secure.
- Represents the company (if applicable) at Unemployment hearings and serves as backup for performing administrative duties related to claim processing
- Creates and maintains departmental and company-wide organization charts
- Participates in and/or leads efforts related to company audits involving Human Resources reporting and/or data
- Reporting: Facilitates and manages weekly, monthly and/or annual company reporting (internally and externally)
- Recommends new approaches to ensure effectiveness and efficiency of Human Resources customer service
- Maintains personal and professional goals of continuing career path within Human Resources function with initiative to learn and grow within role and as Human Resources team member/professional. Presents development/training opportunities for own professional growth
- Performs other related duties as assigned
- Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration or related field
- Minimum of eight (8) years of direct Human Resources experience with strategic, talent management and/or business development experience including at least five (5) years of human resources management experience in a start-up and subsequently, growing company
- Generalist/Management background with specific knowledge of benefits/benefits administration, compensation, employee engagement/retention, employee relations, performance management, recruitment, health/safety and training & development
- Experience building teams and companies from the ground up
- Demonstrated proficiency with federal and state/local laws
- Strong project management and analytical skills to analyze data to make informed decisions and develop effective strategies
- Experience in immigration law and handling immigration processes and documentation
- Possesses an overall general business and management skill set
- Strong leadership and management skills with a willingness to engage in the tactical, including proven ability to engage and develop employees, foster teamwork, diversity and inclusion, innovation, risk-taking, continuous learning and a respectful workplace
- Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite and similar software (One Drive, Google Docs) along with HRIS systems (Applicant Tracking and ADP)
- Business acumen in understanding program operations and finance and how this role contributes to the business
- Confident and capable of respectfully engaging in positive, driven and motivating dialogue with HR Team members, Hiring Managers, employees and stakeholders. Successful track record in building and maintaining relationships (confidence and credibility) at all levels within the company
- Ability to work on a team and as an individual contributor. Experience managing multiple projects simultaneously. Demonstrated project management and facilitation skills in an environment with multiple and competing priorities and deadlines. Structured problem solving and expert prioritization skills. Ability to change course easily - knows when to be patient and when to push while working in the gray . Demonstrates and maintains flexibility and adapts to changes within industry and company
- Demonstrates strong emotional intelligence to understand, empathize and relate to the emotions and needs of employees to build trust and rapport
- Entrepreneurial, ambitious (takes initiative and personal ownership/accountability) and strong 'integrator' (innately knows when to share information and/or to bring parties/business units together)
- Superior judgement, conflict resolution, negotiating and creative thinking skills to solve complicated people and organizational issues
- Ability to mentor, coach, lead and develop talent in a dynamic environment to build the required capabilities and to attract and retain the best talent.
- Effective, consistent and impeccable analytical, communication (verbal and written), conflict resolution, interpersonal, leadership, negotiation, organizational, people management, presentation, problem-solving, project management, supervisory, teamwork, time management and training skills
- Self-starter, self-motivator, detail-oriented, highly organized. Motivated to excel, competitive in nature and does not confuse efforts with results . Strong change leader and relationship builder
- Strong HR skills and experience in working with current best practices and industry trends
- Must be personable and approachable; Demonstrate professionalism and active listening skills at all times
- Must be able to work effectively and efficiently in a fast paced environment including stressful situations
- Experience with workforce planning and budgeting requirements
- Promotes affirmative action and diversity initiatives by building a diverse workforce and educating others on the value of diversity in the workplace
- Must be adaptable to a constantly evolving industry to ensure Human Resources adapts to changes in technology, regulations and workforce dynamics.
- Individual must be open to learn about and understand 'niche' industry
- Preferred Experience and/or Education: Applicable SHRM and/or HRCI certifications (PHR/SHRM-CP); Wagering/gaming industry experience; Knowledgeable in horse racing, pari-mutuel wagering, gaming, sports wagering and/or social marketplace industries. Strong understanding of the Gaming industry including trends and challenges
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
- This position does have supervisory responsibilities/duties
- This position is empowered to take initiative with applicable duties/projects
- Requires travel up to 15% including travel outside of local area and can include overnight stay. International travel possible. Travel between local company locations occurs on daily/weekly basis.
- Position is based at the Cowboy Racing, LLC main office location (1720 Cleveland Ave. Cheyenne, WY 82009). Position classification is In Office .
- This is a start-up environment with high recruitment ramp periods
Cowboy Racing, LLC is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or veteran status.