Job Details

Director of Employee Engagement leads retail-wide efforts to build a culture of connection, inclusion, and recognition. This role ensures that engagement strategies are aligned with business objectives, driving retention, development, and a consistent, values-driven employee experience across all brands. Partnering closely with field and corporate leaders, the Director fosters an environment where every team member feels valued, supported, and inspired — bringing our brand's mantra “Good People. Good Cannabis. Good Day.” to life.

This role is a remote, hybrid role, and Candidates should live in, or be willing to relocate to, Arkansas, Missouri, or Louisiana to support the needs of this role.

Organizational Leadership

• Serve as a strategic thought partner to senior leadership, setting the direction for company-wide employee engagement and culture initiatives.
• Lead the development and execution of store-level HR strategies that enhance engagement, retention, and performance across retail brands.
• Provide strategic partnership to leaders in the field and corporate offices, ensuring engagement initiatives are embedded into operational practices.
• Collaborate with cross-functional stakeholders, including HR, Operations, and Communications, to align engagement strategies with business priorities.
• Navigate ambiguity across multiple stakeholders with agility and influence, driving progress in complex, evolving environments.
• Serve as an internal consultant and advisor to the executive team and managers to address specific people and culture needs.
• Partner with Talent Acquisition to ensure a seamless candidate experience, consistent employer branding, and a cohesive onboarding process that reinforces company culture from day one.
• Thrive within an environment that is dynamic and evolving, demonstrating strategic agility and adaptability in approach.
• Develop and direct branding strategies that position GDF as an exceptional place to work and attract top talent across all markets.
• Drive a culture anchored in our associate-first employee experience philosophy rooted in integrity, passion, innovation, teamwork, equity, and inclusion.

Responsibilities

• Regularly assess the effectiveness of recognition, engagement, and community-building programs, using metrics to report on their contribution to employee satisfaction, engagement, and retention.
• Work closely with senior leadership to align employee experience strategies with key business priorities, including talent acquisition, retention, and development.
• Oversee and refine listening strategies to gather employee feedback through surveys, lifecycle assessments, and engagement tours, ensuring transparent communication and follow-up actions.
• Develop initiatives that foster a sense of belonging and community, such as engagement teams, employee groups, and volunteer activities, aligning these with organizational goals.
• Partner with Retail Communications to ensure consistent, authentic messaging that reinforces company culture and values.
• Lead the strategy for employee recognition programs that celebrate achievements and milestones, ensuring they remain inclusive, relevant, and impactful.
• Drive engagement-building projects by collaborating with field leadership teams to enhance system-wide strategies and integrate human experience principles into employee initiatives.
• Collaborate with the Manager of Employee Engagement and HR Business Partners to ensure seamless execution of engagement and performance initiatives across the organization.
• Partner with field HR and Operations to align engagement initiatives with store-level performance and retention outcomes.
• Drive behavior-based coaching principles in stores through the field leadership teams and support ongoing training initiatives.
• Host roundtable meetings with teams and leaders to solicit feedback and create actionable engagement plans that improve the employee experience.

Leadership Expectations

• Operate with the highest level of conduct, integrity, and confidentiality, setting the example for leaders and associates.
• Demonstrate strategic agility by anticipating change and proactively adapting engagement strategies to meet business needs.
• Develop and nurture strong cross-functional partnerships, driving results and inspiring a culture of transparency, collaboration, and accountability.
• Recruit, identify, develop, and retain high-performing talent that delivers excellence in execution.
• Balance a strong leadership presence with approachability, encouraging open communication and feedback.
• Maintain focus and composure in high-pressure, fast-paced environments while managing multiple priorities.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree and/or 6-10 years of HR experience, with at least 7 years leading the HR or employee engagement function.
• SHRM certification required, or a similar human resource certification.
• Experience developing and executing employee engagement and culture strategies across multi-unit or multi-state retail environments, preferably within the cannabis industry.
• Demonstrated ability to lead through ambiguity and influence cross-functional partners to achieve alignment.
• Strong understanding of HR processes, performance management, and engagement metrics.
• Excellent interpersonal, communication, and presentation skills, including the ability to interact with executives, managers, and field employees.
• Advanced proficiency in Excel, Word, and PowerPoint.
• Proven success implementing programs that drive engagement, retention, and company culture.

Minimum Qualifications

• Must be able to pass a background check.
• Ability to perform effectively in high-pressure situations and manage multiple priorities.
• Self-motivated with excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Positive attitude, strong work ethic, and team-oriented mindset.
• Available to work weekends and holidays as needed.
• Reliable transportation and willingness to travel as required.