Head of People & Culture, HR

ZEISS Group

Head of HR transforming North American people operations at ZEISS, a global optics and optoelectronics technology leader. Advising executives, harmonizing HR services, and leading regional HR teams.

Posted 8/5/2026full-timeWhite Plains • New York • 🇺🇸 United StatesLead💰 $210,000 - $260,000 per yearWebsite

Core Competencies

Role fit

Core Competencies

Use this summary to align your resume positioning with the role.

Demonstrates extensive HR leadership experience with a focus on transformation, workforce planning, and employee relations. Proven ability to influence at the executive level and drive strategic HR initiatives that align with business performance.

Highest-signal resume keywords

HR Transformation LeadershipWorkforce PlanningEmployee Relations ManagementData-Driven Decision MakingExecutive Stakeholder Engagement

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills

HR OperationsTalent ManagementTotal RewardsOrganizational DesignShared Services TransformationM&A IntegrationProcess StreamliningGovernance FrameworksPerformance Metrics DevelopmentChange Management

Soft Skills

Emotional IntelligencePersuasive CommunicationRelationship BuildingInfluencing SkillsTeam Motivation

Industry Keywords

Global HR LeadershipMatrixed OrganizationManufacturingTechnologyIndustrial EnvironmentC-suite EngagementSustainability IntegrationPsychological SafetyEmployee Resource GroupsKnowledge Management

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Serve as the senior HR voice for North America and shape and execute the regional people strategy
Advise the President of ZEISS Business Services NA and senior regional leadership
Represent North America on the Global HR Leadership team and localize global HR initiatives
Build community across the North American HR team to improve knowledge transfer, talent visibility, mobility, and best-practice sharing
Lead HR transformation initiatives, including operating model redesign, service delivery evolution, and capability building
Deploy globally led HR programs with regional fit in partnership with global Centers of Excellence
Drive continuous improvement, process streamlining, digitization, and an AI-first approach
Harmonize HR policies, standards, and processes across segments while accounting for regional and business nuances
Provide strategic HR partnership to business leaders across ZEISS North American segments and functions
Lead workforce planning, organizational design, and talent pipeline efforts
Oversee employee relations across US and Canadian operations
Lead, develop, and inspire HR Business Partners, HR Functional Managers, and specialist practitioners
Champion ZEISS culture, belonging, inclusion, psychological safety, and employee resource groups
Establish governance frameworks, knowledge management practices, KPIs, SLAs, and service excellence standards
Manage executive stakeholder relationships, governance forums, briefings, and cross-functional collaboration
Fulfill required company officer responsibilities and participate in the CZI pension and 401(k) Fiduciary Committee
Lead performance reporting, metrics, SLA development, service charters, and regional functional strategy execution
Provide executive support and coaching for ZBS leadership team members

Requirements

What you’ll need

15+ years of progressive HR experience
At least 5 years in a senior regional or enterprise-level HR leadership role
Proven track record leading HR transformation, including operating model change, M&A integration, or large-scale organizational redesign
Experience operating in a matrixed, global organization, ideally in manufacturing, technology, or an industrial environment
Deep expertise across talent, total rewards, employee relations, HR operations, and workforce planning
Track record driving Shared Services transformation and streamlined HR processes across internal business units
Executive presence and ability to influence at C-suite level without direct authority
Strong commercial acumen connecting people strategy to business performance
Data-driven mindset and ability to translate workforce analytics into actionable insight
Comfort operating in ambiguity and leading through change
Experience navigating dual reporting structures or shared-services environments is a strong differentiator
Ability to set strategy, analyze data, develop innovative ideas, balance organizational change, and create achievable implementation plans
Ability to set challenging goals, drive results, adapt to uncertainty, and lead through complex situations
High integrity, transparency, consistency, sound judgment, and risk awareness
Ability to attract and recruit talent, motivate teams, delegate effectively, manage performance, and develop others
Strong relationship-building, emotional intelligence, and clear, persuasive communication
Ability to inspire trust, influence stakeholders, and create a shared sense of purpose
Commitment to integrating sustainability, societal, and environmental factors into strategy

Benefits

Comp & perks

Performance bonus or sales commissions
Medical plans
Retirement savings plan
Paid time off
Further development opportunities
Equal Employment Opportunity
Diversity-focused workplace