Human Resources Director

Position Summary

We are seeking an experienced, people-focused Human Resources Director to lead our HR function and champion a culture where employees feel genuinely valued, supported, and connected.

This role blends strong HR leadership with a deep commitment to employee success, well-being, and growth. The ideal candidate is both a strategic business partner to leadership and a trusted advocate for every team member, someone who leads by example, embraces technology, and balances employee needs with business success.

Key Responsibilities

Human Resources Leadership

• Develop and execute HR strategies aligned with the company’s mission and business goals.
• Develop, implement, and oversee HR policies, procedures, and best practices.
• Serve as a trusted advisor to executive leadership and department managers on organizational development, talent strategy, and workforce planning.
• Support succession planning and employee retention initiatives.
• Maintain and improve internal communication across all departments and locations.

Employee Success & Culture

• Create and sustain a family-like culture where employees feel appreciated and supported as individuals.
• Build genuine relationships with employees to understand their motivations, career goals, and what they value about working at Valiant.
• Regularly connect with employees where they work, including trainings, job sites, and ride-alongs, to show support and build rapport.
• Recognize and celebrate professional and personal milestones, such as anniversaries, birthdays, graduations, and achievements.
• Facilitate cross-departmental connections, team-building, and events that foster camaraderie and collaboration.
• Learn what challenges employees face at work and turn those insights into practical improvements.
• Keep personal and sensitive information that employees share confidential. Share it with managers only when it is work-relevant or the employee agrees.

Manager Support & Development

• Partner with managers to help them better understand and support their team members.
• Help managers align work assignments with employees’ skills and career aspirations.
• Share work-relevant employee insights with managers in preparation for performance reviews.
• Participate in all employee reviews and implement 360° feedback processes.
• Serve as a trusted advisor and coach to leadership, helping managers grow as people-first leaders.
• Manage conflicts as they arise, and work proactively to prevent or reduce them.

Recruiting, Onboarding & Employee Development

• Lead company-wide recruitment and hiring strategies.
• Partner with department managers to identify staffing needs and attract qualified candidates.
• Oversee job postings, candidate screening, interviews, and hiring processes.
• Manage employee onboarding and new-hire orientation.
• Develop retention strategies and support internal career advancement.
• Lead learning and development initiatives, including leadership development and employee training, to close skill gaps and support career growth.

Benefits

Administration

• Oversee employee benefit programs, including health insurance, retirement plans, paid time off, and other company-sponsored benefits.
• Manage annual open enrollment and employee benefit communications.
• Work with insurance brokers, benefit providers, and third-party administrators.
• Ensure accurate benefit enrollment, eligibility records, and deduction information.
• Evaluate benefit programs and recommend improvements that support employee satisfaction and company financial objectives.

Payroll Oversight

Payroll processing and reconciliation are performed by the Finance Department. The HR Director owns the employee information and policies that feed payroll.

• Maintain accurate employee records in ADP, including new hires, terminations, pay rate changes, job changes, and benefit deductions.
• Approve HR-related payroll changes before they are submitted to Finance for processing.
• Set and oversee timekeeping, overtime, and PTO policies, and ensure managers submit accurate time on schedule.
• Ensure proper employee classification (exempt and non-exempt) and compliance with wage and hour laws.
• Serve as the first point of contact for employee payroll questions, coordinating with Finance to resolve them.
• Partner with Finance on labor cost reporting and the administration of bonus and commission plans.
• Manage HR systems, data integrity, HR reporting, the HR budget, and HR vendor relationships.

Employment Compliance & Risk Management

• Ensure compliance with federal and Connecticut employment laws and regulations, and monitor changes in employment law.
• Oversee personnel files, employee documentation, and required HR recordkeeping, including Form I-9 and Driver Qualification Files for CDL and other company drivers (employment applications, annual motor vehicle record reviews, medical examiner’s certificates, road tests, and FMCSA Drug & Alcohol Clearinghouse queries).
• Administer FMLA, Connecticut FMLA, Connecticut Paid Leave, Connecticut paid sick leave, and other applicable leave programs.
• Prepare and file the annual EEO-1 report.
• Oversee Affordable Care Act (ACA) employer compliance and reporting, in coordination with Finance and benefit providers.
• Ensure Valiant meets federal WARN Act requirements in the event of a layoff or location closing.
• Ensure all employees complete Connecticut’s required sexual harassment prevention training, and maintain training records.
• Coordinate workers’ compensation claims and return-to-work processes.
• Maintain and update the employee handbook and company policies.
• Support workplace safety initiatives and required employee training.

Qualifications

Required

• 7+ years of progressive human resources experience, including 3+ years in a leadership or management role.
• Strong knowledge of federal and Connecticut employment laws.
• Working knowledge of payroll practices and wage and hour rules.
• Experience with ADP or comparable HRIS and payroll platforms.
• Proven ability to manage employee relations and sensitive workplace matters with discretion.
• Demonstrated ability to build trust and meaningful relationships at all levels of an organization.
• Ability to work independently and manage multiple priorities.

Preferred

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related field.
• One professional HR certification from SHRM (SHRM-CP or SHRM-SCP) or HRCI (PHR or SPHR); a senior-level certification (SHRM-SCP or SPHR) is a plus.
• Experience supporting a workforce of 100 or more employees.
• Experience with ADP Workforce Now.
• Experience in home services, the trades, or another multi-location field workforce.

Key Competencies

• Empathy and emotional intelligence
• Relationship building
• Communication and listening
• Strategic thinking
• Cultural stewardship
• Coaching and mentorship
• Change management
• Discretion and ethical practice

What We’re Looking For

The successful candidate will be more than an HR administrator. We are seeking a leader who:

• Builds trust and strong working relationships throughout the organization.
• Balances employee advocacy with business accountability.
• Takes ownership and follows through on commitments.
• Is proactive, organized, and solutions-oriented.
• Embraces technology, automation, and continuous improvement.
• Thinks strategically while staying actively involved in daily HR work.
• Is passionate about developing employees and strengthening company culture.

Benefits

Valiant offers a comprehensive benefits package:

• Health insurance: Cigna medical coverage for you, your spouse, and dependents, with Valiant paying 75% of the premium. Choose from three plans, each paired with a pre-tax Health Savings Account (HSA).
• 401(k) retirement plan: a 50% company match on your contributions, up to 8% of pay, with pre-tax and Roth options.
• Life insurance: company-paid coverage equal to one year of base salary.
• Short-term disability: up to 66% of base pay for up to 12 weeks, coordinated with Connecticut Paid Leave.
• Paid time off: paid vacation that grows with years of service, paid holidays plus a floating holiday, and 56 hours of paid sick time each year.
• Professional development: tuition reimbursement for approved, job-related courses.
• Employee Assistance Program: confidential support for personal and work-related matters.
• Voluntary benefits: optional vision, accident, critical illness, and pet insurance.
• Employee discounts: discounted rates on Valiant services, including heating oil and propane.

Work Environment

This is an in-person role based at our main office in Waterbury, CT. The role includes regular time at all Valiant office locations and job sites, and attending important employee events and milestones where appropriate. Standard 40-hour work week, with off-hours communication as needed.

Why Join Valiant Home & Energy?

At Valiant Home & Energy, we believe that investing in our people is essential to delivering exceptional service to our customers.

As our Human Resources Director, you will work directly with company leadership, influence important business decisions, and make a lasting impact on our employees and our success. We are looking for someone who wants to grow with our company and help shape its future.

Valiant Home & Energy is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to any status protected by applicable law.

Apply today and become part of the Valiant Home & Energy leadership team!

Pay: $90,000.00 - $120,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Employee discount
• Health insurance
• Health savings account
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Professional development assistance
• Retirement plan
• Tuition reimbursement
• Vision insurance

Work Location: In person