Manager of Human Resources

Purpose This is a hands-on leadership role at Citadel Aviation’s Lake Charles facility, the Manager of Human Resources owns the day-to-day HR operation of the site, leads and develops an HR team that supports the broader business, and serves as the primary owner of employee relations for Lake Charles from intake through resolution. This role calls for a leader who is part operator, part coach, part investigator. The right person is visible and present: on the floor with technicians and leads, in the room with operations leadership, and at the table with HR peers across Citadel Aviation. They lead with curiosity, hold a high standard, and leave every person they work with stronger than they found them. Reporting to the Sr. Director of Human Resources and partnering closely with the VP of Operations for Lake Charles and other key site leaders, this is a critical seat as Citadel Aviation grows. Essential Job Functions Site HR Operations: Lake Charles Run daily HR delivery in Lake Charles across maintenance, engineering, and support functions, including onboarding, offboarding, leave administration, policy execution, and compliance. Be visible and accessible on the floor. Build genuine trust with technicians, leads, and supervisors so issues surface early and get resolved well. Partner closely with the VP of Operations for Lake Charles and other key site leaders on workforce planning, staffing decisions, and the people implications of operational changes. Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local employment law, including the requirements of an FAA-regulated, drug-and-alcohol-tested workforce. Drive operational excellence: clean processes, accurate records, fast cycle times, and a quality bar the team is proud of. Employee Relations: Lake Charles Serve as the primary owner and lead investigator for all employee relations cases at the Lake Charles site. Conduct prompt, thorough, and well-documented investigations that include interviews, evidence gathering, findings, and clear written recommendations. Partner with the Sr. Director of HR on matters with legal exposure; know when to escalate and when to resolve. Coach managers through performance management, PIPs, corrective action, and separations with consistency and care. Build and maintain the ER case management system; report trends and root causes to senior leadership quarterly. Own and continuously improve the Lake Charles complaint-handling process from intake through triage, documentation, resolution, and closure. Team Leadership Lead, coach, and develop three direct reports spanning recruitment, total rewards, and workforce development. Set clear goals and KPIs, run consistent 1:1s, and hold the team to a high standard of accountability and technical expertise. Build a learning culture: stretch assignments, cross-training, and visible career paths so each team member is measurably better a year from now. Be a multiplier. Remove blockers, share credit, give honest feedback, and make the team the strongest in any room. Cross-functional & Strategic Partner with the Sr. Director of HR on enterprise initiatives such as HRIS transition, governance, pay equity, leadership development, and multi-site alignment. Represent HR in Lake Charles site leadership meetings and contribute to enterprise-level decisions. Use data such as turnover, time-to-fill, ER trends, and engagement to inform decisions and influence leadership conversations. Minimum Qualifications or Experience Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business, or a related field (or equivalent experience). 7+ years of progressive HR experience, including 2+ years directly leading an HR team. Demonstrated mastery of employee relations: investigations, documentation, and defensible decision-making. Working knowledge of federal employment law (Title VII, FMLA, ADA, FLSA, ADEA, NLRA) and Louisiana-specific employment law. Excellent written communication; investigation reports and case files that hold up to scrutiny. A track record of building and developing high-performing teams. Preferred Qualifications or Experience SHRM-SCP or SPHR certification. Experience supporting multi-site HR operations. Experience in a manufacturing, industrial, MRO, aviation, or other safety-sensitive, regulated environment. Familiarity with modern HRIS platforms. Supervisory Responsibilities Directly supervises the HRBP–Recruitment, HRBP–Workforce Development, and Total Rewards Administrator. Carries out su