Background:

Player 15 Group is the sports, entertainment and real estate operating and investment company that owns and operates the Phoenix Suns (NBA), Phoenix Mercury (WNBA), Valley Suns (G League) as well as operations of its arena, Footprint Center in downtown Phoenix.

Position Summary:

Under the leadership of the Executive Vice President, Chief People & Operations Officer, the Head of People & Culture will provide comprehensive Human Resources leadership for the Player 15 Group, including the Phoenix Suns, Phoenix Mercury, the Valley Suns, the Footprint Center, and any future acquisitions.  This pivotal role requires a visionary HR executive responsible for the comprehensive oversight of day-to-day HR functions while nurturing a unified "one-team" culture that seamlessly integrates sports and business functions.

As the senior HR leader, this individual will be responsible for developing and implementing strategies that align HR practices with organizational goals. The Head of People & Culture will set the strategy for a team of 10+ HR professionals and ensure compliance, efficiency, and alignment with business objectives. The focus will be on driving core HR functions such as employee relations, recruitment, performance management, compensation and benefits, organizational development, and workforce planning. This leader will bring strong business acumen and problem-solving capabilities, working closely with department heads to develop practical, results-driven solutions that meet evolving business needs.

The Head of People & Culture will be responsible for optimizing HR processes through data-driven insights to enhance performance, ensure legal and regulatory compliance, and improve employee lifecycle management. With a focus on operational excellence, this role encompasses everything from talent acquisition to retention strategies, ensuring that HR initiatives directly contribute to the organization's success. In addition to day-to-day management, the Head of HR will act as a strategic advisor to senior leadership, ensuring that the HR function not only supports but also drives organizational growth. While fostering an inclusive and cohesive culture, this position requires hands-on, tactical HR management to ensure the smooth execution of strategies essential to the long-term health and sustainability of the Player 15 Group.

This is an ideal position for a seasoned HR leader who is equally comfortable in both strategic advising and tactical execution, with a strong focus on business enablement, team member engagement, and HR operations and compliance. The successful candidate will have demonstrated success in leading HR teams, implementing HR best practices, and delivering measurable results in fast-paced, dynamic environments.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Hone, evaluate, and communicate a clear HR strategy and vision that aligns with the Player 15 Group’s goals and values, fostering engagement across all departments and teams;

• Provide HR leadership and project management expertise in the following areas: full-time and event day employee recruiting, employee relations, performance management and coaching, benefits and compliance, compensation, and learning and development;

• Collaborate across all employee levels, addressing conflicts quickly and fairly, and communicating transparently;

• Lead all employee relations matters with Player 15 Group team members; enhance process and reporting capabilities;

• Partner with leaders on developing short- and long-term people strategies and establish an annual goal setting process to ensure alignment to business groups’ strategic priorities;

• Provide coaching, counseling, and advice to guide leaders and team members with regards to HR programs, practices, policies, legislation and regulatory requirements including interpretation of policy, identification of risk, impact to the business and recommended solutions;

• Formulate and recommend policies and processes that support both organizational and departmental strategic business objectives;

• Align and measure HR objectives to ensure compatibility with corporate goals, vision and mission; Provide proactive and strategic HR business solutions to support the organization’s goals;

• Lead organizational design initiatives and strategize with the leadership team to ensure structure, process, rewards, metrics, and talent align with the overall business strategy;

• Stay on top of the latest HR best practices and methodologies within sports/entertainment, venue management, media, and high-tech digital industries;

• Comply with all current governmental, legal and reporting requirements;

• Devise effective employee engagement and retention strategies that resonate and encourage team member growth and development;

• Develop a best in class recruiting function, including identifying key recruiting metrics, implementing innovative and sustainable processes and technology, and actively measuring client satisfaction and success;

• Oversee and enhance the new hire orientation program;

• Partner with DEI team to drive a culture of inclusion and ensure training, awareness, and accountability across the organization;

• Drive adoption of HR programs, activities, and events and measure and evaluate success and impact of key initiatives, including learning and development, compliance trainings, and employee engagement activations;

• Serve as HR team liaison to the NBA and WNBA, and partner with league representatives to deliver and execute on league calls, programs, and initiatives.

Qualifications, Skills and Education Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree preferred; SHRM-(S)CP certification preferred;

• 5+ years of experience leading and managing high performing people teams required

• 7-10+ years of experience in Human Resources, preferably in sports, entertainment, hospitality, or related field with prior experience overseeing both strategic and operational HR functions. (Highly qualified candidates from other industries will also be considered);

• Demonstrated expertise in employee relations, employee recruiting and retention, benefits administration, staffing, and compensation;

• Demonstrated success in organizing a company for improved efficiency, while planning for the future management needs of a fast-growing, collaborative, and performance based environment;

• Demonstrated expertise with employer branding and marketing strategies;

• Ability to work in an environment of continuous change and development;

• Ability to work independently as well as lead and inspire large teams of employees from cross-departmental backgrounds;

• Strong communication skills. Ability to balance multiple opposing client interests, and demonstrate business insight, organizational savvy and credibility while challenging senior clients to deliver superior employee and organizational results;

• Strong analytical and diagnostic skills. Ability to analyze data, understand trends and develop recommendations for action based on analysis and surveys;

• Highly organized, process and detail oriented; strong project management skills with focus on analytics/reporting and associated story-telling;

• Working knowledge of general employment and labor law, including hiring practices, wage and hours, labor relations, etc.

Player 15 Group in the News:

July 17, 2024

Phoenix Mercury unveil new ‘crown jewel’ practice facility

April 16, 2024

Phoenix Mercury Ink WNBA-Leading Jersey Patch Sponsor Deal

February 15, 2024

Ishbia tells McAfee about his hands-on approach to Suns ownership

February 13, 2024

Ishbia Creates Suns, Mercury Parent Company to Set Stage for Expansion

February 13, 2024

Phoenix Suns acquire rights to G League team. Now all 30 NBA teams own or operate a franchise

July 17, 2024

Phoenix Mercury unveil new ‘crown jewel’ practice facility

April 16, 2024

Phoenix Mercury Ink WNBA-Leading Jersey Patch Sponsor Deal

February 15, 2024

Ishbia tells McAfee about his hands-on approach to Suns ownership

February 13, 2024

Ishbia Creates Suns, Mercury Parent Company to Set Stage for Expansion

February 13, 2024

Phoenix Suns acquire rights to G League team. Now all 30 NBA teams own or operate a franchise