Human Intelligence Jobs in Missouri (NOW HIRING)

Starlight is Kansas City’s oldest and largest outdoor performing arts organization, stewarding a $20M+ annual budget and a year-round staff of 45+ full-time employees alongside hundreds of seasonal team members and volunteers. At a civic treasure and cultural destination, Starlight presents Broadway musicals, concerts, special events, and community programming that collectively reach hundreds of thousands of guests each year through more than 100 events annually. 

The Director of Human Resources ensures Starlight is a workplace where talented people want to come, stay, and thrive. This role leads the HR function – as a department of one – and owns the functional backbone of the employee lifecycle: recruitment, onboarding, compliance, compensation administration, and performance systems, with particular emphasis on the high-volume seasonal hiring and onboarding cycle. This role supports (rather than leads) culture and engagement initiatives, all-staff communications, and organization-wide programming, partnering closely with the CEO and leadership team who set that direction. This role balances strategy with tactical hands-on delivery, leveraging vendors, technology, cross-departmental leaders, and personal capacity rather than direct staff.  

Required Accountabilities + Deliverables 

Talent Acquisition & Recruitment  

• Lead workforce planning efforts in partnership with the CFO and department heads, providing recommendations regarding staffing needs and recruitment priorities. 
• Own and continuously improve recruitment, onboarding, training, and offboarding processes, with particular focus on scaling for Starlight's high-volume seasonal hiring cycle.  
• Ensure Starlight attracts diverse, mission-aligned talent through innovative sourcing and employer branding.  

Culture & Engagement  

• Support the CEO and leadership team in reinforcing organizational values through day-to-day HR practices and touchpoints.  
• Serve as a steward of inclusive and equitable people practices, helping translate organizational values into consistent day-to-day HR processes. 
• Support CEO- and leadership-led initiatives to strengthen employee engagement, recognition, and retention, administering related programs and tracking outcomes.   
• Coordinate logistics, data collection, and reporting for organization-wide culture/engagement surveys, with action planning led by the CEO and leadership team.  
• Coordinate logistics and content support for all-staff meetings and organization-wide communications led by the CEO and leadership team.  

Performance & Development  

• Administer and continuously improve performance review tools and cycles, in partnership with the CEO and CFO; train managers on effective feedback and coaching.  
• Lead and mediate conversations relating to disciplinary situations, conflict resolution, and performance improvement. 
• Identify leadership development and training needs across the organization.  
• Partner with CFO + CEO on succession planning and career pathways.  

Compensation & Benefits  

• Support CFO in ensuring compensation philosophy and practices are competitive and equitable.  
• Manage relationships with payroll/benefits vendors; ensure compliance and employee understanding of benefits offering.  
• Coordinate employee leave administration and worker’s compensation claims. 

Compliance & Risk  

• Maintain HR policies and handbooks, updating as required by changing employment laws.   
• Ensure consistent and equitable compliance with federal and state employment law and labor regulations and enforcement of company policies.  
• Ensure consistent documentation and risk management in employee relations.  
• Understand risk without becoming risk adverse; and effectively judge when to escalate matters for legal counsel. 

The above listing is not all-inclusive; other duties may be assigned to meet evolving organizational needs. 

Preferred Knowledge, Skills & Abilities 

• Strong breadth and depth of HR technical expertise across the full employment lifecycle. 
• Proven HR generalist background with proficiency with HRIS systems and data-driven HR practices.  
• Strong business and strategic acumen – understand business models, and effectively translates organization strategy to people strategy. Established as credible business partner. 
• Strong emotional intelligence and influence including interpersonal and coaching skills; trusted advisor to leaders and staff alike.  
• Outstanding communication skills – verbal, interpersonal, and written. Including proven skills in navigating conflict and facilitating difficult conversations. 
• Strong judgment and decision making – effectively navigates gray areas and exercises appropriate discretion and confidentiality. 
• Skilled in balancing compliance with culture-building; and balancing empathy with fairness. 
• Able to thrive as a team of one or two, leveraging vendors and managers rather than direct staff. 
• Strong operational excellence and follow-through; with capability and mindset to toggle and prioritize across a wide spectrum of tactical to strategic issues 
• Familiarity with nonprofit/arts sector a plus.  

Reports to: Chief Finance Officer (CFO) 

Member of: Finance + Administration Team 

Supervises: No more than one 

Classification: Full-time/Exempt | Salary Range: $81,700 – $96,000 

Preferred Education and/or Work Experience 

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Organizational Development, or related field. SPHR certification a plus. 
• 7–10 years of progressively responsible HR experience, with at least 3 years in a leadership role. 

Working Conditions & Physical Requirements 

• Primarily office-based during standard business hours (Monday–Friday), with some evening and weekend work required during performances and special events. This includes an on-site presence across an outdoor campus, including extended periods of walking, standing, and working in varying weather conditions. 
• Due to the nature of Starlight’s business, after-hours availability and timely communication is required in urgent or emergency situations. 

Come join an organization that offers the following three-tier benefits package:

Starlight Physical Wellness

•      Medical, Dental and Vision Insurance paid by employer
•      Short-Term and Long-Term Disability
•      Awarded Silver level certification from KC Chamber of Commerce for 2025 Healthy KC Workplace Wellness 

Starlight Emotional Wellness

•      Paid Time Off (up to 10 days in first year)
•      Paid Holidays (including Thanksgiving, winter holiday (Dec. 25-Jan. 1) and 5 floating holidays of your choice)
•      Employee Assistance Program
•      Personal Leave of Absence up to 4 weeks
•      Flexible remote work schedule up to 2 days a week (eligible employees)

Starlight Financial Wellness

•      401(k) Retirement Savings Program
•      Life Insurance
•      Family Leave up to 4 weeks at 100% pay
•      125 Cafeteria Plan
•      Starlight Perks & Discounts including show tickets and concession discounts

If you are interested in being considered for this position, submit your application online at: https://secure.ipsonline.net/ta/STARLIGHT.careers?CareersSearch=&lang=en-US or at Starlight’s West Ticket Office, next to Gate 3, Mon-Fri, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Please visit our website for more information regarding Starlight employment.

Starlight Theatre Association is an Equal Employment Opportunity organization. We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to age, race, color, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, protected veteran status, and other statuses protected by law. 

Starlight supports an environment that values and respects the experiences and contributions of its employees, volunteers, partners and community members. We encourage and welcome applicants of groups that are historically underrepresented in the American theatre industry.

For more information about our accessible workplace, including disability accommodations for the application process and beyond, please email starlightjobs@kcstarlight.com