Director of People & Culture

Director of People & Culture

Sand Valley is a golf resort and community settled gently upon 12,000 acres of rugged, pre-historic sand dunes in central Wisconsin. Here, residents and guests will find five world-class golf courses built in harmony with the land : Sand Valley, Mammoth Dunes, The Sandbox, The Lido, and Sedge Valley. Founded in 2016 by brothers Michael and Chris Keiser, the resort is known for its friendly hospitality and a community of golf and outdoor enthusiasts who have been drawn to the raw beauty and serenity of the vast Wisconsin Wilderness. Inspired by the heathland golf courses of London, Sand Valley showcases golf as it was meant to be, much like the other Dream Golf properties, Bandon Dunes and Rodeo Dunes.

Beyond premier golf, Sand Valley is a year-round celebration of all the outdoors from fat-tire biking, hiking, and kayaking to ice hockey, skating, or a guided cold plunge. The resort now features a 13,000-square-foot Tennis Center with 16 grass tennis courts and the eleventh Court Tennis facility in the United States. Alongside soul-stirring golf and outdoor exploration, Sand Valley offers a variety of savory dining venues showcasing globally inspired and rustic Wisconsin cuisine.

The Sand Valley team works together to create experiences of a lifetime by asking questions and sharing ideas. With authenticity and a hard-working attitude, Sand Valley helps guide guests through an immersive experience in Wisconsin's natural beauty and away from the demands of daily life.

Position Summary :

The Director of People & Culture plays a vital leadership role as a strategic partner and key member of the resort's executive team. This position is responsible for shaping and nurturing a workplace culture that embodies world-class hospitality, demonstrating our core values - genuineness, stewardship, collaboration, curiosity, and passion to create experiences of a lifetime for our guests and team members.

Overseeing all facets of human resources, including talent acquisition, employee relations, training and development, performance management, compensation and benefits, and regulatory compliancethe Director will lead with a people-first mindset. The goal is to foster an engaged, high-performing team that is both empowered and inspired.

In this role, you'll champion the resort's people-first culture, partnering with operational leaders to ensure that every team member feels valued, supported, and inspired to deliver exceptional service. You'll guide the evolution of People & Culture processes and programs to support the unique seasonal rhythms and the year-round homeowner community at Sand Valley.

Strategic Leadership & Culture

Champion a positive, authentic culture that aligns with Sand Valley's mission, vision, and Midwestern hospitality spirit.

Partner with executive leadership to shape long-term people strategies that support business goals and operational excellence.

Inspire a workplace where every team member is supported and empowered to deliver an exceptional guest experience.

Talent Acquisition & Development

Oversee recruitment strategies to attract, hire, and retain top talent across resort departments, ensuring staffing excellence for seasonal and year-round operations.

Implement engaging onboarding, training, and leadership development programs that support day-to-day connection and long-term loyalty.

Foster career pathing, mentoring, and succession planning for high-potential team members.

Employee Engagement & Relations

Serve as a trusted advisor to managers and employees in resolving workplace issues and maintaining a high-trust environment.

Conduct regular engagement surveys and implement feedback strategies to improve team morale and retention.

Promote recognition programs that celebrate team successes and individual achievements.

HR Operations & Compliance

Ensure full compliance with all federal, state, and local labor laws and resort policies.

Oversee HR systems (HRIS), records management, reporting functions, and scheduled audits.

Manage benefits administration, payroll coordination, and compensation strategy in partnership with Finance.

Collaboration with Department Leaders

Act as a coach and resource to department leaders across golf operations, hospitality, food & beverage, guest services, and all business operations.

Support department leaders in performance management through effective coaching, constructive feedback, and, when necessary, guiding appropriate disciplinary actions.

Collaborate with all departments to align people strategies with business goals.

Align HR initiatives with seasonal operations and event-based staffing needs typical of a resort setting.

Qualifications :

Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or related field; or HR certification (e.g., SHRM-SCP, SPHR) preferred.

Minimum of 7-10 years of progressive HR leadership experience, ideally in hospitality, resort, or luxury service environments.

Deep understanding of employment law, talent development, business acumen, and organizational behavior.

Demonstrated ability to lead cultural transformation and employee engagement programs.

Excellent interpersonal, communication, and conflict-resolution skills.

High level of integrity, discretion, and professionalism.