Desired Job Title
Senior HR Business Partner / HR DirectorHuman Resources Business PartnerHR Professional /Restaurant ConsultantLocation Preference
RemoteOn-SiteHybridLocation: Denver, CO
Open to relocation: Yes
Michael J. Hernandez
Denver
Work Preference
Summary
Senior HR leader with 15+ years of progressive experience partnering with C-suite, Board-adjacent leaders, and senior management teams across multi-site, high-volume, and union-influenced environments. Proven ability to lead and develop HR Business Partners, design and execute enterprise people strategies, and provide final authority on complex employee relations matters. Deep expertise in workforce planning, organizational design, change management, DEI strategy, and leadership development. Known for sound judgment, calm leadership under pressure, and aligning people practices to business outcomes. Extensive travel experience supporting geographically dispersed teams.
Overview
2026
2026
years of professional experience
1
1
Certificate
Work History
Senior HR Business Partner / HR Director
Meow Wolf
01.2022 - Current
- Serve as senior strategic HR leader and trusted advisor to executive leadership, General Managers, and enterprise stakeholders within a complex, multi-site, unionized organization.
- Lead, coach, and develop a cross-functional HR organization of approximately 45 team members, including HR Managers, Business Partners, Coordinators, Talent Acquisition, Learning & Development, and DEI practitioners.
- Hold final decision-making authority on complex employee relations matters across all exhibition operations, including investigations, corrective action, terminations, grievances, and union-related issues.
- Partner with C-suite leaders on workforce planning, labor modeling, and budget strategy, directly influencing staffing structures, cost containment, and operational sustainability.
- Designed and launched a centralized Learning & Development function, establishing leadership training, performance management frameworks, and manager capability programs.
- Co-founded and led a DEI council (“The Voice”), creating a sustainable structure for employee advocacy, inclusion initiatives, and leadership accountability.
- Led multiple end-to-end change management initiatives, including reorganizations, leadership transitions, policy redesigns, and workforce reductions, ensuring compliance, transparency, and thoughtful execution.
- Acted as senior HR presence during union negotiations, layoffs, executive transitions, and crisis response.
- Traveled regularly to support leaders and HR teams on-site, ensuring consistency, trust, and effective people practices across locations.
Human Resources Business Partner
Target Corporation
01.2016 - 01.2022
- Served as senior HR Business Partner supporting large, multi-location retail operations, advising Store Directors and District leadership on talent strategy, engagement, and organizational effectiveness.
- Led and developed a team of approximately 16 HR professionals, including HR Managers and support staff across a geographically dispersed district.
- Designed and implemented a regional Diversity & Inclusion strategy, aligning enterprise priorities with local workforce needs and improving representation and engagement.
- Redesigned the employee lifecycle and development framework, strengthening internal mobility, leadership readiness, and retention.
- Created structured learning journeys for leaders and team members, ensuring consistent capability development at scale.
- Implemented and facilitated a quarterly performance calibration and review process, improving fairness, clarity, and data-informed talent decisions.
- Partnered with senior leaders on workforce planning, labor forecasting, and change initiatives during periods of operational transformation.
- Served as escalation point for complex employee relations matters, balancing business objectives, employee experience, and legal compliance.
HR Professional /Restaurant Consultant
Hospitality & Consulting Leadership
- Organizations include: Honey Butter Fried Chicken, One Off Hospitality Group, Alinea Group, Historic Taos Inn
- Led HR and people operations across fine dining, casual dining, and hospitality organizations.
- Managed managers and frontline teams while advising owners and executive leaders on people strategy.
- Built HR infrastructure, training programs, compliance systems, and engagement initiatives from the ground up.
- Supported organizations through growth, restructuring, and operational transitions.
- Embedded people-first cultures grounded in service excellence, accountability, and inclusion.
- Prior Experience
Education
Bachelor of Arts - Economics & English
University of North Carolina At Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, NCMBA - Human Resources Management
Stanford University
Palo Alto, California, CA05-2028
Skills
- Executive & Board-Level HR Partnership
- HRBP Team Leadership & Development
- Multi-Region Workforce Strategy
- Employee & Labor Relations (Union & Non-Union)
- Workforce Planning, Labor Modeling & Budgeting
- Organizational Design & Change Management
- Talent Management & Succession Planning
- Learning & Development Program Design
- DEI Strategy & Inclusive Culture Building
- Employment Law, Compliance & Risk Mitigation
- People Analytics & Data-Driven Decision Making
Certification
- PHR | SHRM Certified
- Project Management Professional (PMP)
- ECornell Certificates: Diversity, Equity & Inclusion; Labor Relations; Compensation & Benefits
- Cicerone Certified (Beer & Beverage Expertise)
Timeline
Senior HR Business Partner / HR Director
Meow Wolf
01.2022 - Current
Human Resources Business Partner
Target Corporation
01.2016 - 01.2022
HR Professional /Restaurant Consultant
Hospitality & Consulting Leadership
Bachelor of Arts - Economics & English
University of North Carolina At Chapel Hill
MBA - Human Resources Management
Stanford University
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
- Extensive experience supporting geographically dispersed teams through frequent travel
- Deep background in hospitality, service excellence, and employee experience
- Comfortable leading through ambiguity, rapid change, and complex organizational dynamics