People & Development Business Partnerships Lead, PRO NA

Position Overview

People & Development Lead, PRO is a highly experienced HR professional, accountable for driving the strategic execution of People Programs (Human Resources) across the region. This role fosters high-impact, cross-functional partnerships with senior leaders and stakeholders, while leading complex projects and initiatives that drive performance through people. The Lead people partner also handles complex employee relations matters, including end-to-end investigations. The Lead serves as a key advisor and change agent, promoting a culture of collaboration, accountability, and continuous improvement. Strategic thinking, executive communication, coaching, and organizational problem-solving are essential to success in this role.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

Talent Acquisition & Onboarding:

• Support Talent Acquisition partners to attract high-performing business leaders, ensuring alignment with organizational goals and culture.

• Collaborate with executive leadership and cross-functional partners to define ideal candidate profiles and identify critical leadership competencies for Director-level roles.

• Support recruitment processes for Retail leadership, including conducting leadership interviews, talent mapping, and ensuring a seamless candidate experience at each stage.

• Leverage industry insights and networking to proactively build diverse talent pipelines for Director and above, anticipating future business needs.

• Oversee and enhance the onboarding experience for Lead-level hires, working closely with senior leaders and Learning & Development to accelerate integration and performance.

Employee Engagement & Retention:

• Shape and lead regional strategies to enhance employee engagement, retention, and overall experience.

• Assess and address turnover drivers through data analysis, field insights, and strategic interventions to retain top talent.

• Advocate for initiatives that will positively impact the employee population and increase engagement and enablement across the business channels.

• Support and lead regional engagement efforts, including Belonging & Equity initiatives, communities of interest, and signature Ralph Lauren talent programs.

• Partnering with Regional and District leadership to embed engagement strategies into daily operations and leadership practices.

Talent and Performance Management:

• Collaborate with executive leadership and cross-functional partners to define ideal candidate profiles, manage recruitment for Director-level and above, and proactively build diverse talent pipelines to support current and future business needs.

• Lead and support regional employee engagement, retention, and talent development initiatives, including onboarding for Lead-level hires, performance management cycles, talent reviews, succession planning, and signature engagement programs.

• Advise and coach leaders on employee relations, conflict resolution, and compliance with policies, while driving change management and supporting organizational projects to enhance integration, engagement, and team success.

Employee Relations:

• Provide expert guidance and coaching to leaders on complex employee relations matters, conflict resolution, and policy compliance, partnering with Global People Practices and Legal to ensure consistent and timely outcomes.

• Lead the resolution of workplace disputes by conducting thorough investigations, analyzing regional trends, and implementing proactive solutions to foster a positive and compliant work environment.

• Drive continuous improvement in employee engagement through climate surveys, data analysis, and actionable recommendations that address root causes and enhance the overall employee experience across retail locations.

Change Management and Project Management:

• Champion large-scale change initiatives by coaching leaders and teams through transitions, fostering resilience and adaptability to achieve business objectives across region.

• Lead the planning, execution, and evaluation of cross-functional projects that drive people excellence and continuous improvement, ensuring alignment with organizational strategy and retail priorities.

• Collaborate with Regional and Executive leadership to embed engagement and change strategies into daily people operations, overseeing the successful delivery of People & Development projects through strategic direction, stakeholder alignment, and clear communication that accelerates results and sustains long-term success in the retail environment.

Learning & Development:

• Support the strategic vision for learning and development programs, ensuring alignment with business objectives and fostering a culture of continuous growth across the organization. Providing creative thinking and ideas to enhance performance across region and channel

• Coach senior leaders and high-potential talent, driving robust leadership development, succession planning, and capability building at all levels.

• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to assess learning needs, implement innovative development initiatives, and measure impact to accelerate organizational performance.

HR Administration & Employee Maintenance:

• Ensure adherence to all legal and corporate people practices, maintaining compliance across employee administration processes.

• Partner with business leaders and cross-functional teams to streamline daily operations and implement effective people policies.

• Advise on employee lifecycle changes to continuously improve the overall employee experience.

Experience, Skills & Knowledge

• In addition to being based in Nutley (New Jersey), we would consider candidates that are based in Chicago, Miami and North Carolina.
• Progressive and Extensive experience as a Human Resources Generalist within the retail or hospitality industry
• Comprehensive knowledge of employment law and regulatory compliance
• Proven ability in creative thinking, problem-solving, and managing projects from initiation to execution
• Expertise in all aspects of Talent Management, including Learning & Development, Succession Planning, Talent Acquisition, Employee Engagement, Performance Management, and Employee Relations
• Strong relationship-building skills with key business and cross-functional partners at all levels
• Excellent written and verbal communication and presentation skills, with the ability to effectively influence stakeholders
• Strategic mindset with a track record of aligning HR initiatives to business objectives and driving organizational change
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to leverage data and metrics to inform decision-making
• Demonstrated experience leading HR teams and developing HR talent
• Proficiency with HR technology platforms, HRIS, and digital tools for process optimization
• Proven ability to manage sensitive situations with tact, confidentiality, and integrity
• Experience managing large-scale organizational change initiatives, including restructuring and workforce planning

Ralph Lauren will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest or conviction records in a manner consistent with the requirements of the law, including any applicable fair chance laws.