Senior Director, Human Resources

Rust-Oleum has always been built on a simple idea: protect what matters. As Senior Director of Human Resources, you will carry that belief into the people side of business- protecting, strengthening, and elevating the culture that fuels employees across the organization.

This role is a strategic, future-focused partner to the VP of HR, responsible for shaping the talent, culture, and organizational systems that enable Rust-Oleum to continue growing with heart and high performance. You will lead a team of HR professionals while championing a culture where people feel connected, supported, and proud of the work they do.

Key Responsibilities:

Strategic HR Leadership

• Design and execute a multi-year HR strategy aligned with Rust-Oleum’s business priorities, operating model, and culture aspirations.
• Serve as a strategic advisor to executives, bringing data-informed insights, organizational health perspectives, and forward-thinking talent recommendations.
• Lead enterprise-wide change initiatives with clarity, empathy, and disciplined execution.

Culture & Employee Experience

• Strengthen, articulate, and scale a culture rooted in craftsmanship, integrity, inclusion, and continuous improvement.
• Champion engagement by designing systems that elevate employee voice, belonging, and purpose.
• Collaborate with leaders to build high-trust, high-accountability teams; embed leadership behaviors that reinforce our culture every day.

Talent Strategy & Leadership Development

• Build pathways for internal growth and capability building, with a focus on developing people leaders at every level.
• Elevate the onboarding experience to ensure each employee begins their Rust-Oleum journey feeling informed, welcomed, and connected.

HR Operations, Systems & Compliance

• Lead and continuously optimize HR processes—including performance management, benefits, compensation, HRIS, and payroll—to ensure accuracy, equity, and operational excellence.
• Drive modernization of HR technology to enable better insights, smoother workflows, and a more intuitive employee experience.
• Ensure compliance with all federal, state, and local laws while fostering ethical decision-making across the organization.

People Leadership

• Lead, coach, and develop an HR team that is trusted, capable, and aligned with the business.
• Set clear expectations, build capacity, and foster a team culture of collaboration, innovation, and service.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s preferred (HR, Business, Organizational Development, or related field).
• 10–15+ years of progressive HR experience with at least 5 years in HR leadership roles.
• Experience supporting multi-site operations, manufacturing environments, and diverse employee groups.
• Deep knowledge of HR disciplines, employment law, change management, organizational development, and talent strategy.
• Strong communication, relationship-building, and influencing skills; able to work seamlessly with senior leaders and frontline teams alike.
• Demonstrated success leading teams and delivering complex cross-functional initiatives.
• HR certifications (SPHR, SHRM-SCP) preferred.

Personal Characteristics

• Purpose-driven, people-first leadership style.
• High integrity, sound judgment, and steady presence under pressure.
• Skilled at building trust, resolving conflict, and fostering psychological safety.
• Strategic thinker with operational discipline—able to zoom out, then roll up sleeves.
• Courageous, inclusive, and forward-looking; committed to shaping a better workplace for all.

Salary: $170,000 - $205,000, bonus eligible 

From big benefits to small, we take care of our associates!  After 30 days of employment, you will be eligible for a benefits package that includes medical, dental, life, disability and business travel insurance, flexible spending accounts, EAP, stock purchases and vacation/sick days/parental leave. We also offer a 401(k) plan after three months of employment. Associates are vested in the RPM Pension plan after completing five years of service. Rust-Oleum offers 9.5 paid holidays and 2 floating holidays per year.  You are also eligible to earn three weeks of vacation on an annualized basis.

Rust-Oleum is an equal opportunity employer. Employment selection and related decisions are made without regard to sex, race, age, disability, religion, national origin, color, or any other protected class