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Sr Director Human Resources

Clarios · Milwaukee, WI · Full time

Posted Sep 9, 2026 · We last checked this listing on Oct 6, 2026

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Likely interview questions for this role

Written from this job description, not a generic list. Each one notes what the interviewer is really checking.

About your past

Tell me about a time you helped a business scale headcount quickly. How did you protect talent quality while hiring fast?

What they are checking: Whether they can grow talent density during rapid expansion without lowering the bar.

Tell me about a culture you deliberately shaped. What did you change and how did you know it worked?

What they are checking: Whether they can build culture through concrete practices, which this role is measured on.

Describe a hard conversation you had with a senior leader about their own leadership.

What they are checking: Whether they can be a real partner who tells executives uncomfortable truths.

You need to be hands-on now but strategic later. Tell me about a time you did both at once.

What they are checking: Whether they are willing to do execution work themselves while still building for the future.

What would you do

You would be the first senior HR leader for a new business unit. What would you build in the first ninety days, and what would you leave for later?

What they are checking: Whether they can prioritize HR foundations in a start-up phase instead of copying a mature corporate playbook.

You report to the business unit president with a dotted line to the CHRO. Tell me how you would handle it if they wanted different things.

What they are checking: Whether they can manage a dual reporting line honestly while keeping trust on both sides.

How would you attract data center and connected services talent who could work at a tech company instead?

What they are checking: Whether they understand competing for scarce technical talent against tech employers.

If the new HQ ends up in Dallas, how would you set up HR presence while the team is still spread out?

What they are checking: Whether they can build a people function across locations during a period of change.

About the work

How do you design an HR policy framework for a business entering new markets with different labor rules?

What they are checking: Whether they can build governance that fits local regulations while matching company standards.

How would you measure the success of HR in a fast-growing unit beyond hiring numbers?

What they are checking: Whether they can define HR outcomes like leadership capability and readiness to scale.

How would you design compensation and incentives for a new business that needs to move fast?

What they are checking: Whether they can build rewards that support growth goals while staying fair and sustainable.

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The full job description

As published by Clarios.

What you will do- The HR Leader in this position will have holistic responsibility for all Human Resources aspects for the Data Centers & Connected Services business. This role will be accountable for building the leadership, talent, and cultural foundations required to scale a high-growth business and support the organization's ambitious expansion objectives. The role combines hands-on execution in the start-up phase with strategic capability-building as the organization grows. The HR Leader will partner closely with the leadership team to help accelerate our expansion into emerging energy storage, connected solutions, vehicle fleet, and data center markets. A strategic partner to the President of the business unit, the role will design and implement HR frameworks, policies, governance, and talent practices aligned with local regulations, cultural dynamics, and Clarios’ long-term growth objectives. Success in this role will be measured by both HR outcomes and the quality of the culture, leadership capability, talent density, and the organization's ability to scale rapidly. The HR Leader will report directly to the President of the business unit and has a functional reporting line to the CHRO of Clarios. The location will be our new HQ for this business. The Dallas region is a strong consideration. How you will do it- • Be a Business Partner to the President Data Centers & Connected Services, and her/his team delivers strategic HR leadership in the areas of organizational development, talent acquisition and retention, performance management, succession planning, benefits and compensation, employee relations, labor relations, diversity and inclusion, labor laws/legal compliance, and training and development programs. • Act as a trusted advisor and coach to the President and leadership team on leadership capability, succession, team effectiveness, organizational performance and change management • Design and implement the organizational structure for the business unit, defining reporting lines, role clarity, and workforce plans aligned with business strategy, embedding Clarios’ values and adapting to local market realities. • Develop and drive People Strategy in support of business and enterprise strategies; manage labor relations. • Partner with business leaders to ensure hiring decisions evaluate both capability and cultural fit, helping build a team that reflects and reinforces the desired organizational culture. • Own and drive the development of a high-performing, engaged, and accountable culture that enables rapid growth, strong execution, collaboration, and continuous development across the organization; • Work with global and regional teams to provide perspectives and action plans on how best to evolve company leadership, culture and strategy to ensure organizational effectiveness and design. • Develop and maintain HR reporting and analytics, providing insights on workforce planning, hiring, turnover, performance, engagement, and capability development. • Help ensure succession needs are met by offering counsel on employee engagement, leadership, training and development in order for the Company to remain well positioned for meet future challenges. • Partner with global and local Talent Acquisition team on all talent goals and objectives; Lead workforce planning for the business unit, and drive the development of local talent pipelines. • Create collaborative relationships with key leaders as well as the regional and global HR team. • Monitor and ensure the Company’s compliance with federal, state, and local employment laws and regulations, and recommend best practices; review and modify policies and practices to maintain compliance in partnership with legal and labor relations team. • Reinforce and evolve the Company’s existing HR and employment policies ensuring awareness and consistency, in cooperation with HR business partners, leadership and legal counsel. What we look for - Required • Minimum bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business or related field required • At least 10 years of progressive HR experience • Well-rounded HR leadership experience acting as a true partner to the business • Demonstrated ability to lead cross-functional teams • Significant experience in an international manufacturing/industrial company • Expertise across the entire HR activity portfolio • Strategic skillset and demonstrated experience with developing and implementing HR strategy • Experienced in setting up and driving talent management and people development • Excellent negotiation, presentation and communication skills with employees at all levels including senior mgmt. level • Highly collaborative, able to quickly establish credibility and trust within the organization • Ability to challenge the status quo in a constructive and tactful yet determined manner • Demonstrated experience building and sustaining high-performance cultures in growth-oriented organizations. • Track record of attracting, assessing, and developing talent for both performance and cultural alignment. *** The location will be our new HQ for this business. The Dallas region is a strong consideration. *** #LI-KD1 What you get: • Medical, dental and vision care coverage and a 401(k) savings plan with company matching – all starting on date of hire • Tuition reimbursement, perks, and discounts • Parental and caregiver leave programs • All the usual benefits such as paid time off, flexible spending, short-and long-term disability, basic life insurance, business travel insurance, and Employee Assistance Program • Global market strength and worldwide market share leadership • HQ location earns LEED certification for sustainability plus a full-service cafeteria and workout facility • Clarios has been recognized as one of 2026's Most Ethical Companies by Ethisphere. This prestigious recognition marks the fourth consecutive year Clarios has received this distinction. Who we are: Clarios is the force behind the world’s most recognizable car battery brands, powering vehicles from leading automakers like Ford, General Motors, Toyota, Honda, and Nissan. With 18,000 employees worldwide, we develop, manufacture, and distribute energy storage solutions while recovering, recycling, and reusing up to 99% of battery materials—setting the standard for sustainability in our industry. At Clarios, we’re not just making batteries; we’re shaping the future of sustainable transportation. Join our mission to innovate, push boundaries, and make a real impact. Discover your potential at Clarios—where your power meets endless possibilities. Veterans/Military Spouses: We value the leadership, adaptability, and technical expertise developed through military service. At Clarios, those capabilities thrive in an environment built on grit, ingenuity, and passion—where you can grow your career while helping to power progress worldwide. All qualified applicants will be considered without regard to protected characteristics. Equal Employment Opportunity: We recognize that people come with a wealth of experience and talent beyond just the technical requirements of a job. If your experience is close to what you see listed here, please apply. Diversity of experience and skills combined with passion is key to challenging the status quo. Therefore, we encourage people from all backgrounds to apply to our positions. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, status as a protected veteran or other protected characteristics protected by law. As a federal contractor, we are committed to not discriminating against any applicant or employee based on these protected statuses. We will also take affirmative action to ensure equal employment opportunities. Please let us know if you require accommodations during the interview process by emailing Special.Accommodations@Clarios.com . We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and value diversity in our teams in terms of work experience, area of expertise, and all characteristics protected by laws in the countries where we operate. For more information on our commitment to sustainability, diversity, and equal opportunity, please read our latest report . We want you to know your rights because EEO is the law. A Note to Job Applicants: please be aware of scams being perpetrated through the Internet and social media platforms. Clarios will never require a job applicant to pay money as part of the application or hiring process. To All Recruitment Agencies : Clarios does not accept unsolicited agency resumes/CVs. Please do not forward resumes/CVs to our careers email addresses, Clarios employees or any other company location. Clarios is not responsible for any fees related to unsolicited resumes/CVs.

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