Director of Employee Engagement - Retail

The 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 LeadershipServe 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.ResponsibilitiesRegularly 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 ExpectationsOperate 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 QualificationsMust 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.