Vice President, People & Culture

at  Affinity Group

VICE PRESIDENT, PEOPLE & CULTURE

Location: This position can be located in one of our main offices: Buffalo, NY | Chicago, IL | Charlotte, NC | Brea, CA | Dallas, TX

WHO WE ARE

Your Bridge to Success | Why Our People Love Affinity Group
At Affinity Group, we believe in the power of innovation and continuous improvement. As a fast-growing food industry sales and marketing agency, we serve clients and customers throughout North America. With nearly 900 associates, we foster strong relationships in both retail and foodservice channels, representing some of the most recognizable and respected food brands. We pride ourselves on staying ahead of industry trends and fostering a collaborative and dynamic work environment where every team member can thrive and contribute to our shared success

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Organizational Development, Business, or related field; an advanced degree is preferred.
• SHRM-CP or SHRM-SCP certification required.
• At least 10 years of experience in HR leadership, with a proven track record of driving talent strategy and HR innovation in a dynamic, multi-location organization.
• Strong business acumen, with the ability to translate business needs into actionable HR strategies that support growth and development.
• A hands-on leader with experience managing direct and indirect reports in a complex, matrixed environment.
• Exceptional communication skills, with the ability to engage and inspire at all levels of the organization.
• Proficient in using HR software and data-driven insights to support decision-making

General Skills

• Integrity & Trust: Demonstrates high ethical standards and gains the trust of colleagues across all levels.
• Effective Communication: Strong verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to present ideas clearly and engage diverse audiences from C-Suite to field employees.
• Business Acumen (HR Expertise): Deep understanding of HR practices and business strategy, with the ability to align HR initiatives to support business growth.
• Strategic Thinking: Ability to think long-term and develop strategies that drive the organization forward, while maintaining flexibility to adapt as needed.
• Influencing Others: Proven experience influencing without authority and fostering consensus across a complex organization.
• Technical Skills:
• Proficient with Office 365 (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) for professional communication, data analysis, and presentations.
• Experienced in using HRIS, HCM, and LMS systems for effective human resource management and eLearning initiatives.
• Adept at analyzing and drawing insights from HR data to drive business decisions.
• Strong knowledge of employment-related laws and regulations to ensure compliance across all locations

We are seeking a forward-thinking Vice President of People & Culture to shape and lead our human resources strategy. This executive will be instrumental in attracting, retaining, and developing top-tier talent within a performance-based culture that adapts and evolves with industry changes. By aligning business strategy with talent management, this leader will drive innovative HR practices that support our mission of continuous improvement and excellence.
As a key member of the executive leadership team, you will work closely with our CEO and regional senior leaders to execute a dynamic people strategy. This role requires not only traditional HR expertise but also the ability to serve as an internal coach to the CEO and senior leaders, providing counsel and fostering growth. You will also need a strong ability to successfully influence in a heavily matrixed organization and act as a significant collaborator across business functions. The role will require frequent travel across the U.S. and Canada to support business initiatives and collaborate with teams in different locations. If you are passionate about driving cultural transformation and building an environment where creativity and innovation flourish, this is the role for you.

Key Responsibilities

• Strategic Leadership: Provide visionary leadership in all human resources functions, translating business objectives into innovative HR strategies that foster growth and adaptability.
• Cultural Stewardship: Own and live our culture by enhancing employee experiences, supporting a collaborative work environment, and promoting Affinity Group as a great place to work both internally and externally.
• Talent Management: Lead talent acquisition, performance management, leadership development, and succession planning with a focus on nurturing internal talent and attracting fresh perspectives from outside the industry.
• Innovation in HR Practices: Drive the development of cutting-edge HR programs and initiatives, ensuring that our HR practices are at the forefront of industry standards.
• Collaboration & Influence: Serve as a trusted advisor and internal coach to corporate and regional senior leadership teams, bringing a consultative and results-oriented approach to solve complex HR and organizational challenges.
• Change Management: Champion change initiatives that align with Affinity Group’s vision, mission, and values, while leading the company through growth and industry shifts with a proactive and agile mindset.
• Matrixed Environment Leadership: Influence and collaborate effectively in a heavily matrixed organization, fostering strong relationships across functions and geographies.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Organizational Development, Business, or related field; an advanced degree is preferred.
• SHRM-CP or SHRM-SCP certification required.
• At least 10 years of experience in HR leadership, with a proven track record of driving talent strategy and HR innovation in a dynamic, multi-location organization.
• Strong business acumen, with the ability to translate business needs into actionable HR strategies that support growth and development.
• A hands-on leader with experience managing direct and indirect reports in a complex, matrixed environment.
• Exceptional communication skills, with the ability to engage and inspire at all levels of the organization.
• Proficient in using HR software and data-driven insights to support decision-making.

General Skills

• Integrity & Trust: Demonstrates high ethical standards and gains the trust of colleagues across all levels.
• Effective Communication: Strong verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to present ideas clearly and engage diverse audiences from C-Suite to field employees.
• Business Acumen (HR Expertise): Deep understanding of HR practices and business strategy, with the ability to align HR initiatives to support business growth.
• Strategic Thinking: Ability to think long-term and develop strategies that drive the organization forward, while maintaining flexibility to adapt as needed.
• Influencing Others: Proven experience influencing without authority and fostering consensus across a complex organization.
• Technical Skills:
• Proficient with Office 365 (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) for professional communication, data analysis, and presentations.
• Experienced in using HRIS, HCM, and LMS systems for effective human resource management and eLearning initiatives.
• Adept at analyzing and drawing insights from HR data to drive business decisions.
• Strong knowledge of employment-related laws and regulations to ensure compliance across all locations.

What to Expect

• Innovation: We value fresh ideas and provide ample opportunities for employees to contribute to company growth and improvement.
• Collaborative Culture: Join a team where ideas are shared freely, and everyone is encouraged to contribute to our collective success.
• Commitment to Development: We invest in our people, offering continuous learning and development opportunities to help you grow your career.
• Health & Wellness: Comprehensive medical, vision, and dental insurance plans, along with life and disability insurance.
• Financial Security: 401(k) retirement plan with employer match.
• Time to Recharge: Paid time off, company holidays, and flexible work arrangements to ensure work-life balance.
• Team Building & Networking: Opportunities to engage in team-building activities, food trade shows, and events that foster connections and inspiration.