Human Resources Director Americas

Cognite operates at the forefront of industrial digitalization, building AI and data solutions that solve some of the world’s hardest, highest-impact problems. With unmatched industrial heritage and a comprehensive suite of AI capabilities, including low-code AI agents, Cognite accelerates the digital transformation to drive operational improvements.
Our moonshot is bold: unlock $100B in customer value by 2035 and redefine how global industry works.

We thrive in challenges. We challenge assumptions. We execute with speed and ownership. If you view obstacles as signals to step forward - not step back - you’ll feel at home here. Join us in this venture where AI and data meet ingenuity, and together, we forge the path to a smarter, more connected industrial future.

Cognite is seeking a Human Resources Director (Americas) to serve as the principal Employee Relations partner and HR advisor for the Americas organization. This role is optimal for someone who can design simple, scalable solutions while maintaining the stakeholder influence and business acumen to drive adoption and impact.

• Serve as the principal employee relations leader for the Americas, acting as trusted advisor to regional and global leadership while aligning business priorities with compliant, scalable people practices across a multi-state footprint
• Drive organizational synergy by partnering with global counterparts (Norway/India) and local specialists (PBPs, OD, and People Ops). You will ensure that global standards for leadership and policy are translated into seamless, accountable workflows that enhance the local employee lifecycle.
• Scale global People initiatives within the Americas by balancing execution rigor with a deep understanding of the U.S. landscape. You will act as a strategic contributor to the global People function, ensuring that regional nuances enhance—rather than hinder—organization-wide alignment and excellence.

• Review, assess, and continuously improve existing People policies and the U.S. employee handbook, ensuring clarity, accessibility, compliance, and alignment with Cognite's culture and values
• Design and implement pragmatic, user-friendly policies that are simple to understand and straightforward to execute—avoiding unnecessary complexity while maintaining legal rigor and business relevance
• Translate complex employment law and regulatory requirements into clear, actionable guidance for managers and employees
• Drive consistency and scalability in policy application across geographies, partnering with global peers to harmonize where appropriate while respecting local legal requirements
• Partner with Legal to ensure policies effectively mitigate risk while supporting a high-trust, high-performance culture

• Own employee relations across the Americas, including complex investigations, corrective actions, performance management, and terminations, ensuring fairness, consistency, and compliance with local legislation
• Maintain deep, current expertise in U.S. federal employment law and multi-state regulations, with emphasis on Texas and Arizona compliance requirements
• Design and continuously refine risk‑mitigation frameworks and investigation protocols to proactively address compliance risks across jurisdictions
• Partner strategically with Legal on sensitive employee matters, litigation prevention, and regulatory compliance initiatives
• Execute terminations and sensitive HR interventions with composure, discretion, and alignment with legal requirements

• Oversee immigration matters, and compliance with Department of Homeland Security requirements in partnership with internal and external Legal where required
• Manage global mobility arrangements for U.S.
  
  -based employees on international assignment

The ideal candidate brings the credibility, judgment, and perspective of a senior HR leader, paired with the agility and curiosity of a practitioner who values being close to the work. You will play a pivotal role in scaling the HR…