HR Business Partner, Retail

About Leap:

At Leap, we believe the future of retail is omnichannel and the next generation of brands belong in neighborhoods, not just on screens. Today, the Leap platform powers retail across over 100 stores for 50 brands with ambitions of scaling to thousands of stores and hundreds of brands.  We don’t just operate stores, we bring brands to life - with built in advantages powered by data, systems and scale. Whether you’re based at our NYC headquarters or on the front lines at one of our stores, we are one team with aligned goals. We move with disciplined urgency to solve the challenging complexities of retail, ensuring that every store we launch and operate is high-performing and every shopper always feels welcomed.
 

While our platform provides the data and infrastructure across our +100 stores, our people are the key to our success. We are looking for smart, energized individuals who are ready to act as owners and help us build our platform - both in-store and at HQ. So, come take this leap with us and help us rewrite the future of retail.

The Role:

Leap's retail stores are the heart of our business, and the people who work in them are what make every brand come alive. The HR Business Partner, Retail supports the effectiveness of our people strategy and the day-to-day realities of a fast-moving, multi-state retail workforce.

This role partners directly with Retail Directors and multi-unit Retail Managers to provide thoughtful HR counsel, navigate employee relations issues with care and integrity, and help build a culture where our retail teams feel heard, supported, and set up to grow. 
 

You're not just an advisor, you're a builder, helping shape what a high-performance retail people experience looks like at scale.
 

This role is classified as L4 and encompasses all competencies associated with this level.
 

Role Location:

This role is based in New York City, with the expectation to be in-office at least three days a week.

Core Responsibilities:

Employee Relations

• Serve as the primary employee relations (ER) resource for retail employees across multiple states, ensuring every concern is handled with speed, fairness, and consistency.
• Lead workplace investigations end-to-end, from initial intake through findings, documentation, and resolution.
• Respond to employee grievances and inquiries with care, balancing employee advocacy with sound business judgment.
• Identify patterns in ER activity and proactively surface risk or opportunity to HR leadership and retail operators.
• Maintain thorough, compliant documentation on all ER matters.

Business Partnership & Counsel

• Serve as a trusted advisor to Retail Directors and multi-unit Managers on people-related matters, from performance conversations, to team culture, to difficult separations.
• Provide consistent, practical guidance on policy interpretation, compliance requirements, and HR best practices.
• Partner with Managers to build confidence and capability in giving feedback, addressing performance, and navigating challenging team dynamics.
• Support organizational change and workforce transitions with clear communication and thoughtful change management support.
• Ensure consistent application of Leap's policies and procedures across the retail footprint.

Measures of Success:

• Timely, compliant, and well-documented resolution of all employee relations matters.
• Strong, trust-based relationships with Retail Directors and multi-unit Managers.
• Improved Manager capability in handling people issues independently and confidently.
• Consistent application of HR policy and employment law across the retail footprint.
• Reduced retail turnover through proactive engagement and targeted interventions.

Candidate Requirements

• 4–7 years of HR experience, with a strong focus on employee relations, ideally in a retail or high-volume, hourly workforce environment.
• Hands-on experience conducting workplace investigations and managing complex ER cases.
• Working knowledge of multi-state employment law, including wage and hour, leave, and anti-discrimination practices.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, you build credibility fast and hold difficult conversations with confidence.
• Ability to operate independently across a geographically dispersed organization.
• PHR/SPHR or SHRM-CP/SCP preferred; experience with UKG or similar HRIS a plus.

Salary Range Transparency

A reasonable estimate of the current base salary range for this position is $105,000 - $125,000.  All corporate roles are eligible for annual cash bonuses and equity awards based upon performance and other factors. Actual compensation offered will depend on a variety of job-related factors which may include geographic location, work experience, education, and skill level.

What We Offer

Leap offers a competitive total rewards package, which includes:

• Healthcare benefits (medical, dental, vision) 
• Hybrid work culture (NYC office location)
• Flexible time off (paid company holidays, unlimited paid time off, sick leave, parental leave) 
• Access to company perks (commuter benefits, 401K, paid sabbatical, employee discounts at Leap stores, employee referral bonus, telecom reimbursement) 
• Employee Assistance Program

Work Authorization

Applicants must be able to provide valid U.S. work authorization. Visa sponsorship is strictly limited to mission-critical dependencies that cannot be fulfilled through local recruitment efforts.

Leap EEO Statement

However you identify, whatever your path to get here; Leap celebrates diversity and is committed to maintaining a safe, rewarding and inclusive environment where Leapers thrive individually and as a team. In order to achieve our mission, building the world's largest network of branded retail stores – powered by data, systems and scale; we need to work hard to foster a diverse community to support the brands and customers we serve. These aren't just words, this is who we are. We know that our differences are what make our organization special and are paramount to our culture. Your age, skin color, beliefs, sexual orientation, nationality, disability, parental status, vet status, gender identity are valued.

Thank you for your interest in this opportunity! Unfortunately, due to the high volume of inquiries received, we may not be able to respond to all applicants.