VP, Training & HR – Keke’s

The Keke’s VP, Training & HR will be responsible for the oversight, administration, and implementation of HR and Training responsibilities for Keke’s, including all company-owned Keke’s restaurants, all hourly staff and in-Restaurant management. Reporting directly to the President of Keke’s, this role will be part of the Keke’s Leadership Team and will have significant impact preparing the brand for significant unit growth.

The position will provide guidance and counsel on employee relations, recruitment, retention, employee development, onboarding, training and HR policies and procedures. This includes analyzing trends; recommending and developing training, HR, and operations solutions; ensuring operational excellence from an HR perspective throughout the organization; recommending and implementing processes and initiatives for long-term improvements and achievement of HR and Operations goals.

The position will play a key role in the development and execution of operational and leadership training programs, including setting learning strategies, executing learning programs, and overseeing the NRO process for significant unit growth.

Essential Functions:

· Acts as a leadership role model upholding all Keke’s vision, mission and Guiding Principles

· Leads and develops the HR and Training team to deliver on the goals and strategies, providing both positive and constructive feedback and coaching while holding team members accountable for their results, competencies, and actions; takes appropriate disciplinary action when warranted.

· Demonstrates a results driven approach by assessing and creating a high-performing team and driving a strong focus on key results areas to achieve or exceed overall results; prioritizes coaching and people development to ensure individual, team, and Keke’s success.

· Oversees the recruiting, staffing and selection for all in-unit management and hourly positions, identifies strategies and initiatives to assist with the recruitment for hourly crew members.

· Maintains awareness and understanding of local, state, and federal employment laws and ensures Keke’s processes are appropriately updated and stakeholders trained. Establishes and maintains compliance with employment and pre-employment legislation and company policies.

· Uses operational reports and HR metrics to analyze and identify gaps; puts plans in place to address and improve performance of teams and positively impact operational results. Partners with the Corporate HR team to ensure consistency in common and shared recruiting and HR processes and practices across the organization

· Leads the New Restaurant Opening team and puts processes in place to ensure new restaurants are opened successfully

· Leads the Training team to ensure all operational, compliance topics (e.g.,sexual harassment, interviewing skills) and leadership development topics are understood, trained, and administered.

· Guides culture and employee engagement initiatives for the field, in conjunction with Corporate HR, to ensure we attract, develop, and retain top-talent

· Provides counsel and coaching to Operation’s team while dealing with employee issues, investigations, terminations, and other employee-related actions. Consults with Corporate Legal team as needed.

· Establishes communications and shares best practices to support franchisee HR needs, in collaboration with the Corporate Legal team.

· Other duties as assigned

Education and Experience:

· Bachelor’s degree in human resources, business, training, or hospitality management discipline. SPHR or PHR certifications, or other relevant certifications, are a plus.

· Minimum of 10 years of progressive HR and training leadership experience in a multi-unit environment in the restaurant, retail, or hospitality sector with a focus on field operations

· Proficiency with human capital management systems, such as Workday, is preferred.

Required Skills and Knowledge:

· Restaurant industry, employment law, and business acumen; working knowledge of ever-changing local, state, and federal employment legislation.

· Places a value on diversity and shows respect for and openness to others’ backgrounds and ideas.

· Strong organizational skills with proven ability to manage multiple priorities and large projects across multiple disciplines with a strong attention to detail. Proven experience leading cross-functional teams to develop new business, training, and operational efficiency solutions.

· Knowledge of current and planned technology capabilities in business, as well as awareness of a variety of training delivery modes (Instructor-Led, Computer-Based, blended, webinar).

· Ability to coach and motivate others to achieve departmental, operational, and corporate goals.

· Experience designing, executing, and managing training and development strategies and results.

· Ability to collaborate with internal/external business partners using a consultative approach to identify business goals and performance gaps.

· Proven ability to partner with and influence all levels of an organization, from senior level management and franchisees, to peers, to hourly in-unit employees.

· Ability to plan and implement short-term and long-term strategic objectives within own area of discipline to further the organization’s goals.

· Proven presentation and communications skills.

<p style="font-size: 8pt;"><em>Each location is independently owned and operated by a franchisee. Applications will be directed to the franchisee, and all hiring decisions will be made by the management of individual franchise location. All inquiries about employment should be made directly to the franchise location, and not to Keke’s Breakfast Cafe Franchise Office. Keke's Breakfast Cafe Franchise Office is not a joint employer with any of the franchise locations.</em></p>