Senior Manager Human Resources - Retail

Purpose

The Senior Manager Human Resources, Retail serves as a strategic HR partner to the Brick-and-Mortar Retail business, supporting leaders and employees across multiple regions. This role leads a team of HR professionals and is responsible for leading initiatives that drive team performance, employee engagement, talent development, workforce planning, employee relations, and HR operational excellence. The Senior Manager HR will contribute to the development and execution of HR strategies that elevate organizational effectiveness and align with both North America (NAM) and Global HR programs and policies. In close partnership with Retail business leaders and the HR Director, the Senior Manager helps shape and execute HR strategies that support business goals, foster a culture of recognition and fairness, and empower employees to reach their full potential.

Key Responsibilities

Employee Relations

• Lead resolution of complex employee relations matters, ensuring alignment with adidas policies and legal compliance.
• Partner with the Employee Relations Director to analyze trends and guide corrective action strategies.
• Provide coaching and guidance to leaders on labor and employment issues, fostering a consistent and positive employee experience.
• Manage sensitive cases including EEOC, DOL, ADA accommodations, and unemployment issues.

Talent Development & Workforce Planning

• Collaborate with Regional Directors, District Managers, and Retail Back Office leaders to drive performance management, succession planning, and employee development.
• Monitor organizational health and identify trends to inform strategic HR initiatives.
• Support staffing plans and internal talent pipelines to meet growth demands.
• Partner with Talent teams to build diverse, high-performing talent pools.
• Create and deliver training programs to enhance leadership capabilities and promote self-sufficiency.

HR Strategy & Administration

• Lead cross-functional HR projects and initiatives that support business goals.
• Act as a consultative partner to retail leaders, ensuring HR programs are understood and effectively implemented.
• Support organizational design and change management efforts.
• Serve as a liaison between business needs and HR systems, ensuring operational efficiency.
• Provide meeting support including content development and facilitation at regional and district levels.

Culture & Engagement

• Partner with HR Director to drive cultural transformation and change management initiatives.
• Promote a culture of recognition, fairness, and respect across all levels of the organization.
• Assist in developing communication strategies that reinforce company values and mission.

Key Relationships

• Retail HR Team
• Retail Back Office & Store Leadership
• Loss Prevention
• Talent Acquisition & Talent Partnering
• Compensation & Benefits
• Legal, Controlling, and Global HR Teams
• Local and Regional HR Managers & Specialists

Knowledge Skills and Abilities

• Proven ability to influence and build credibility with senior leaders and stakeholders across all levels of the organization.
• Demonstrated experience in leading, developing, and inspiring a team of HR professionals to deliver high-impact results.
• Strong business acumen with a deep understanding of retail sales drivers, financial metrics, and operational priorities.
• Expertise in employee relations, organizational development, and performance management, with the ability to coach through complex and sensitive issues.
• Exceptional interpersonal, communication, and conflict resolution skills, with a high level of emotional intelligence and professionalism.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving capabilities to assess data, identify trends, and develop strategic HR solutions.
• Ability to evaluate organizational effectiveness and recommend HR strategies that drive performance and engagement.
• Comfortable managing high workloads and competing priorities in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.
• High level of discretion and integrity in handling confidential and sensitive information.
• Demonstrated ability to lead change, make difficult people decisions, and support cultural transformation initiatives.
• Adept at working independently while collaborating effectively within a global, cross-functional HR team.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint); experience with SAP HR and database systems is a plus.
• Ability to connect with and support a diverse range of individuals and personalities across regions and functions.
• Strong planning and execution skills with a pragmatic, solutions-oriented mindset.

Requisite Education and Experience / Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Psychology, or a related field; equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered.
• 6-8 years of progressive HR experience, ideally within a large, matrixed, and multinational organization.
• Prior experience in retail or a relevant consumer-facing industry strongly preferred.
• Strong understanding of HR practices across employee relations, talent development, organizational design, and workforce planning.
• adidas offers robust and progressive medical, including HSA (Health Savings Account) with employer funding or FSA (Flexible Spending Account) options, dental, vision, prescription drug coverage, adoption, with surrogate and fertility support, short and long-term disability, and basic life and AD&D insurance, which can be supplemented with employee-paid coverage. Employees are able to enroll in adidas' 401k plan and Stock Purchase Plan with employer match. Full-time employees are eligible for education assistance and generous Leave policies including 12 weeks of paid parental leave.
• Employees are eligible to earn an annual bonus based on both company and personal performance. Employees accrue prorated flexible time off in the amount .4388 hours per day that increases with years of service, twelve paid holidays throughout the calendar year and Service Time Off during milestone years.
• The anticipated low and high end of the base pay range for this position is $115-$155. Actual salary will be based on various factors, such as a candidate's experience, qualifications, skills and competencies, and proficiency for the role.
• This role is 100% remote from your home office. The working location of this position is New York, NY.
• Though our teammates hail from all corners of the world, our working language is English.