Director of Employee Experience & Engagement

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• Job Title
  
  

Director of Employee Experience & Engagement

• Location
  
  

Austin, TX

• Department
  
  

Corporate / Administrative & Support

• FLSA Status
  
  

Exempt

Acadian Companies is seeking a dynamic. people-first Director of Employee Experience & Engagement. This role is a strategic partner and cultural champion who will lead the design and execution of programs that shape the employee journey, while improving engagement, retention, and the overall experience throughout the employee lifecycle. This leader will be a part of the Human Resources management team, reporting directly to the Vice President of Human Resources, and will work cross-functionally with Recruiting, Education, and Operations to ensure all team members feel valued, supported, and connected to the organization's mission.

Key Responsibilities Include

Employee Experience Design

• Develop and execute a comprehensive employee experience strategy, integrating key moments across the entire employee lifecycle.
• Partner with internal teams to streamline onboarding, performance feedback, internal mobility, recognition, and exit experiences.
• Continuously assess and evolve the employee journey, using data, feedback, and insights to drive improvements.
• Ensure experiences reflect the unique needs of our team members.
  
  

Engagement & Culture

• Lead the organization's engagement strategy, including surveys, analysis, reporting, and engagement action planning.
• Partner with division and department leaders to translate insights into measurable actions and continuous improvement.
• Champion company culture and values, ensuring they are reflected in all programs, communications, and daily interactions.
• Coach leaders at all levels on engagement drivers, manager impact, and communication best practices.
• Measure and report on engagement KPIs to inform workforce strategy.
  
  

Onboarding & Retention Programs

• Partner with training and development staff to enhance onboarding initiatives that accelerate time-to-productivity and reinforce cultural values.
• Create scalable programs that improve retention, recognition, and career satisfaction for high-turnover roles.
• Oversee internal mobility programs that support employees' professional development and career goals and create seamless and meaningful transitions along Acadian's various career paths.
• Proactively connect with employees at career crossroads who may be exploring other opportunities to help them discover meaningful internal career paths that align with their passions and keep their talent within the organization.
  
  

Listening & Communication

• Establish and manage listening channels (e.g., surveys, stay and exit interviews, focus groups, etc.) to understand employee needs.
• Collaborate with internal communications to deliver messaging that resonates with both frontline and corporate audiences.
• Elevate employee voice into strategic decision-making.
  
  

Leadership Enablement & Change Support

• Support leaders through training and toolkits that reinforce accountability for team culture and engagement.
• Provide change management guidance during organizational transitions, ensuring employee-centered approaches to communication and rollout.
• Serve as a trusted advisor to executive leadership on employee morale and organizational health.
  
  

Qualifications

• Strategic thinker with 5+ years of HR, employee experience, or organizational development experience.
• Bachelor's degree required. Human Resources, Industrial-Organizational Psychology, or a related education preferred.
• This role requires frequent travel to all operational areas and estimated between 50%-75%.
• Data-driven decision maker with strong analytical and storytelling skills.
• Proven track record of improving culture, engagement, and retention through thoughtful, data-informed programs.
• Empathetic and inclusive leader who fosters trust, collaboration, and psychological safety.
• Strong project management and cross-functional partnership skills.
• Passionate about people, purpose, and creating great places to work.
• Familiarity with engagement and EX platforms preferred.
  
  

Apply Now