Job Details

Job Summary

Chief People Officer (CPO) responsible for enterprise-wide people strategy, ensuring strong governance, compliance, and operational excellence across all Human Resources functions. The role reports to the EVP, General Counsel and Head of People and is based in Newton, MA.The CPO directs the design and delivery of HR programs, including organizational design, talent acquisition, workforce planning, performance management, learning and development, compensation and benefits, employee engagement, compliance, HR data analytics, and talent attraction and retention.

Responsibilities

• Enterprise Strategy, Governance & Executive Partnership: Develop and execute a people strategy aligned with growth and business objectives; serve as strategic advisor on organizational design, workforce optimization, succession planning, and leadership capability; nurture a culture of caring, accountability, service excellence, and operational rigor.
• Partner with Legal to ensure governance, regulatory compliance, and risk mitigation across all HR disciplines; lead workforce due diligence, labor‑cost modeling, restructuring, and talent transitions supporting franchise growth, acquisitions, and dispositions.
• Corporate & Field HR Operations: Foster and manage the Corporate HR function while overseeing field HR functions, ensuring consistent policy execution and service delivery across all locations; establish scalable HR operating models, drive continuous improvement of HR systems, processes, and service frameworks.
• Talent Acquisition & Workforce Planning: Lead an integrated talent acquisition and management function; develop proactive recruiting strategies and talent pipelines; oversee workforce forecasting, succession planning, and organizational modeling.
• Employee Engagement & Development: Assess engagement and create a roadmap to enable a high‑performing workforce; establish and oversee enterprise learning strategies and leadership development programs.
• Total Rewards: Align total rewards strategy with performance outcomes and retention objectives; define compensation philosophy, salary structures, incentive plans, and pay governance; lead benefits strategy, including health, retirement, wellness, and voluntary programs; oversee leave administration and statutory compliance.
• Employee Relations, Compliance & Risk Management: Provide oversight of employee relations strategy, investigations, conflict resolution, restructuring, and litigation risk mitigation; implement compliance with all federal, state, and local employment laws; conduct proactive compliance audits and policy governance.
• HR Data, Analytics & Systems: Lead development of enterprise HR analytics and reporting; establish dashboards and ensure optimization and integrity of HRIS and supporting technology platforms.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required; advanced degree (MBA, MSHRM, Master's in Organizational Leadership/Development, etc.) preferred.
• 15+ years of progressive HR leadership, including oversight of multi‑location or field‑based operations; prior CPO or CHRO experience preferred.
• Demonstrated executive partnership with Legal and senior leadership in complex organizations.
• Experience leading integrated HR functions (talent acquisition, compensation & benefits, compliance, workforce analytics).
• Deep knowledge of employment law, compensation strategy, benefits administration, and workforce planning.
• Comfort working in a fast‑paced environment with the ability to multi‑task, delegate, and synthesize data for strategic decisions.
• Polished writing, presentation, and executive presence with confidence to advise leaders.

Compensation

Pay Range: $260,000 to $290,000. Base pay may vary based on factors such as job‑related knowledge, skills, and overall experience.

Benefits

• Medical, Dental, Vision Insurance
• Health Savings Account with Company Match
• 401(k) Retirement Plan with Company Match
• Paid Vacation and Sick Days
• Sonesta Hotel Discounts
• Educational Assistance
• Paid Parental Leave
• Company Paid Life Insurance
• Company Paid Short‑Term and Long‑Term Disability Insurance
• Employee Perks and Discounts
• Hospital Indemnity, Critical Illness, Accident Insurance

Equal Opportunity Employer

Sonesta is an equal opportunity employer. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.