D

Derse

Face-to-face marketing agency and exhibit builder

Human Resources Generalist

Full-Time
No salary listed
Senior
Bachelor's
Milwaukee, WI, USA
In PersonMust reside within the Milwaukee office; travel to support Human Resources initiatives across Derse offices is required.
People & HRCompensation & Benefits

About the job

Requirements
  • A bachelor's degree in a related discipline and 5–7+ years of experience in Human Resources are required.
  • Prior experience leading total rewards programs, employee orientations, and payroll supervision is required.
  • Exposure to handling Family and Medical Leave Act, Americans with Disabilities Act, and workers' compensation cases is beneficial.
  • Ability to work under minimal supervision in a fast-paced environment while supporting multiple locations.
  • Strong analytical skills with the ability to research, compile, and interpret data in a logical format and perform in-depth analysis.
  • Ability to travel to support Human Resources initiatives across Derse offices.
Responsibilities
  • Administer all employee benefit programs, including health, dental, life, disability, 401(k), and profit-sharing plans.
  • Evaluate employee-benefit costs annually, including healthcare cost containment, utilization review, and insurance claim costs.
  • Lead strategy planning and present communications for benefit programs to improve employee engagement and understanding.
  • Own the open-enrollment process, including building and testing the open-enrollment site in the human resources information system, communicating with staff, and sharing results and post-enrollment metrics with management.
  • Create and distribute total rewards statements that emphasize the value of employee benefit packages.
  • Maintain knowledge of and comply with COBRA, FMLA, ADA, HIPAA, ACA, ERISA, and other applicable laws, and file appropriate reports with state and federal agencies.
  • Administer COBRA, FMLA, and ADA programs across all Derse offices, including maintaining human resources tracking for FMLA and workers' compensation.
  • Launch and monitor the wellness program and notify employees of yearly goals and objectives.
  • Review and communicate wellness-program participation levels and their effect on the insurance premium-sharing percentage.
  • Manage employee-benefit-program and union-related fringe costs, and process and approve related bills and invoices.
  • Plan and conduct new-hire orientations for assigned divisions and departments.
  • Manage the new-hire process within the human resources information system to maintain employee records properly.
  • Process payroll for all salaried personnel on a biweekly basis and oversee German payroll.
  • Maintain knowledge of governmental regulations, reporting requirements, and legal requirements affecting company policies and human resources practices, including wage-and-hour and FLSA regulations, to ensure compliance.
  • Assist with administration of Derse's 401(k) and profit-sharing plans, including audits and annual notices.
  • Respond to inquiries regarding policies, procedures, and programs.
  • Complete MRA and industry-related surveys covering benefits, turnover, and salary.
  • Complete federal, state, and local annual reports, including EEO-1 and California data reporting.
  • Manage work-related injuries and required reporting while guiding employees.
  • Serve as a member of the Milwaukee/Corporate Social Events Committee.
  • Lead company charitable and fundraising activities, including United Way.
Desired Qualifications
  • Human Resources-related certification.
  • Exposure to handling FMLA, ADA, and workers' compensation cases.

About the company

D

Derse

View
Website

Derse is a face-to-face marketing agency and exhibit builder that creates live experiences for about 500 clients each year in more than 60 countries. The company handles end-to-end work in-house—strategy, creative, account management, and production—to design exhibits, events, and environments that connect brands with customers. Its global reach, long history (75 years), and ability to serve small businesses up to Fortune 500 companies set it apart from competitors. By delivering comprehensive, on-site experiences through a full team ready to plan and produce, Derse aims to inspire brands, stay relevant, and drive measurable results for clients.

Company Size

201-500

Company Stage

N/A

Total Funding

N/A

Headquarters

Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Founded

1948

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Simplify Jobs

Simplify's Take

What believers are saying

  • September 2026 Oak Creek groundbreaking unlocked Derse's largest-ever $48 million expansion.
  • August 2026 WEDC approved up to $1.25 million tax credits for growth.
  • October 1, 2026 David Sudjian joined leadership, strengthening experiential-events expansion and operations.

What critics are saying

  • Oak Creek opens late 2027; any construction slip disrupts Milwaukee and Waukegan operations.
  • $48 million headquarters and 65 hires pressure margins if client demand softens.
  • Experiential marketing rivals like Sparks and Freeman keep poaching healthcare accounts and senior talent.

What makes Derse unique

  • Derse blends exhibit building, events, and environments across U.S. and Europe.
  • Private family ownership lets Brett Haney prioritize decades, not quarterly exits.
  • Healthcare specialist hires Jon Ellms, Carrie Johnson, and Corinna Chan deepen regulated-program execution.

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Benefits

  • Remote Work Options
  • Hybrid Work Options

Company News

Derse
Oct 1st, 2026
David Sudjian joins Derse leadership, marking new possibilities for brand experiences and growing operations.

David Sudjian joins Derse leadership, marking new possibilities for brand experiences and growing operations. Derse | October 1, 2026 David Sudjian, Chief Strategic Advisor, Experiential Events, brings his perspective and energy to Derse, where he will strengthen operations, advance brand experience capabilities, and help shape Derse's next phase of business expansion. Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA - September 30, 2026 - Derse announces that industry veteran David Sudjian has joined its leadership team, bringing extensive experience in experiential marketing to help shape the company's next chapter of growth and fuel its expansion. Sudjian joins Derse as Chief Strategic Advisor, Experiential Events, marking a new chapter in his accomplished career, which encompasses more than 35 years of leadership, growth, and innovation. As Chief Strategic Advisor, Sudjian will provide internal guidance to Derse's executive leadership, initially focusing on events, enterprise planning, organizational priorities, and long-term experiential and event marketing strategy. "I'm returning to what has always mattered most to me: leading with purpose, mentoring the next generation, and helping build world-class teams with cultures that become the envy of the industry," said Sudjian. "I'm excited by the opportunity to join Derse and build on its culture of putting 'we' before 'me,' and to work alongside exceptional teams to create lasting value and phenomenal results for our clients." Building on its strengths, investing in its people. At a time when greater complexity across the experiential marketing industry calls for deeper expertise, Derse is building its teams and advancing its capabilities to help clients move forward with confidence, bringing together the people, perspectives, and support that make every experience valuable across exhibits, events, and environments. "I'm energized to return to an industry that has defined so much of my career - and to do so with Derse at such an important moment for experiential marketing," said Sudjian. "The industry is in the middle of a dynamic transformation, and this role allows me to bring more than 35 years of strategic leadership to an organization focused on thoughtful growth and outstanding client outcomes." Sudjian brings his vast perspective and energy to Derse. Known for helping organizations evolve, strengthen operations, and advance brand experience capabilities, he will help shape the company's next phase of business expansion and elevate its impact across the experiential events landscape. "Throughout my career, culture has been a hallmark of my leadership," he said. "I believe exceptional work begins with valuing every individual, listening to every perspective, and remaining accessible at every level of an organization. I couldn't be more excited for this next chapter." Deep industry expertise and a natural fit for Derse. For Derse, the appointment is as much about shared values as it is about industry experience. "Being privately held gives us the freedom to think long-term, invest in our people, and build lasting client relationships," said Brett Haney, Derse CEO. "David understands the value of that approach. His experience and leadership style make him a natural fit for Derse's culture and for the direction we're headed. He's built a reputation for strong leadership and deep industry knowledge, and we're excited for the impact he'll make at Derse." About Derse. Headquartered in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Derse is a family-owned experiential marketing agency and exhibit builder with more than 650 employees across seven full-service divisions in the U.S. and Europe. For over 75 years, Derse has created award-winning exhibits, events, and environments in more than 50 countries, earning recognition as one of the most respected companies in the industry. Experiences Matter at Derse. Learn more at www.derse.com. Media contact.

Exhibit City News
Sep 1st, 2026
Derse breaks ground on new Wisconsin headquarters.

Derse breaks ground on new Wisconsin headquarters. * September 1, 2026 Derse broke ground Thursday, Aug. 27, on a 300,000-square-foot global headquarters and client experience center in Oak Creek, Wisconsin, advancing the largest single investment in the company's history. The facility at 10300 South Oakview Parkway is scheduled to open in November 2027. More than 225 employees will work at the site, which will become Derse's largest facility worldwide, surpassing its current largest operation in Dallas. The groundbreaking moves forward a headquarters expansion that Derse first announced in 2025. The project will consolidate the company's Milwaukee headquarters and division with its Waukegan, Illinois, operation while expanding production, warehousing, client, and employee space. Derse will continue to operate an Illinois office in Northbrook, near Chicago O'Hare International Airport. Brett Haney, chief executive officer of Derse, told attendees at the groundbreaking that the search leading to Oak Creek took years and involved numerous potential sites. Haney credited Jim Paetsch, who is retired from Milwaukee 7, with helping during a search that included sites in nine municipalities across four counties. Haney said the effort stretched across roughly eight years, with the pandemic occurring in the middle of the process. "It's been literally eight years, guys, with a pandemic in the middle of it," Haney said. "We should all be proud that we've been able to build the company to get to this point." Wisconsin backs project with $1.25 million tax credit program. The Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) is supporting the project with a $1.25 million performance-based state income tax credit program, according to remarks at the groundbreaking. State and regional economic development officials joined Derse leadership and Oak Creek representatives for the ceremony. Haney said Oak Creek officials actively pursued the project and recognized the value of the jobs that would come with it. "When it opens, we'll have over 225 employees working at this facility," Haney said. "One of the reasons I think Mayor Dan and Andrew Vickers and all of the staff from Oak Creek rolled the red carpet out for us is we have high-end, family-supporting jobs, and that means a lot to a community." Oak Creek Mayor Dan Bukiewicz described the development as part of the city's evolution from a farming community into a center for industrial and corporate investment. He said city officials had considered other potential developments for the property but waited for a project they believed fit the site. Derse ultimately selected Oak Creek after considering multiple communities. The decision also keeps the company's global headquarters in southeastern Wisconsin, where Derse traces its roots to 1948. New headquarters built around clients and employees. Beyond its size, the Oak Creek headquarters is intended to change how Derse serves clients and brings its teams together. Plans include a customer experience center, conference areas, walking paths, a workout room, and other employee amenities. Derse also expects to introduce new capabilities from the facility, although Haney did not disclose details during the ceremony. "The customer experience center, the employee amenities, the walking paths, the workout room, the conference centers, the new capabilities that we are working on that are going to be launched out of this new facility is going to be industry leading," Haney said. The project follows years of company growth that pushed Derse toward the capacity of its existing Milwaukee and Waukegan operations. When Derse first announced the expansion in June 2025, the company said both facilities were nearing capacity and had less than 36 months remaining on their leases. At the time, Derse outlined plans for expanded production and warehousing capabilities, training areas, collaborative spaces, and a dedicated experience center where clients, vendors, and employees could interact with the company's work. The company also said the larger operation would increase its capacity to handle high-volume and complex client programs. From a garage business to a global operation. The groundbreaking adds another chapter to a company that began far differently from the operation Derse runs today. James F. Derse founded the business in 1948 as a sign-painting operation in the back of his mother's garage. Over the following decades, the company expanded into outdoor advertising, interior and exterior signage, and tradeshow exhibit design and construction. Haney highlighted another turning point during his remarks: the 1989 purchase of the company from Jim Derse by his father, Bill Haney, along with Bill McNamara and Dan VanderSanden. "It's been incredible growth," Haney said, crediting their vision and leadership with helping establish the company Derse has become. Today, Derse designs, builds, and manages tradeshow exhibits, events, and branded environments for clients through operations in the United States and Europe. The Oak Creek headquarters will bring part of that history together under one roof while providing additional room for future growth. Haney also hinted that the headquarters project will not be Derse's last major announcement in the near term. "We have some other exciting announcements related to the growth of the company in the next few months," Haney said. "I don't like to be cryptic, but I'm going to say just stay tuned." Derse is a privately held experiential marketing company that designs, builds, and manages exhibits, events, and branded environments. Founded in Milwaukee in 1948, the company serves clients through a network of offices and production facilities in the United States and Europe. Learn more at derse.com. Don Svehla is publisher of Exhibit City News and Mr. Tradeshow Communications, LLC. His career has spanned more than three decades in tradeshow publishing, business-to-business media, industry directories, and show-floor operations. Before becoming a publisher, he worked with Giltspur Associates in tradeshow installation and dismantle, traveling extensively and building relationships across the industry. He has a BA in advertising and public relations from Columbia College Chicago. He can be reached at [email protected] or on LinkedIn.

Derse
Aug 31st, 2026
Derse breaks ground on new international headquarters in Oak Creek.

Derse breaks ground on new international headquarters in Oak Creek. Derse | August 31, 2026 The $48 million project represents its commitment to remain privately held, grow client services, and invest in employees. Breaking ground on what's next. Derse broke ground for its new international headquarters, a plan that will bring its Milwaukee and Waukegan divisions together under one 300,000-square-foot roof and give its teams more room to collaborate, create, and produce the most engaging brand experiences in the world. Operating for 78 years, Derse is a complete face-to-face marketing company with significant expertise in experiential marketing and measurement. Derse designs, builds, and manages trade show exhibits of all sizes, creates events that make lasting impressions, and turns business environments into immersive experiences. The expansion will create 65 new jobs, expand services for clients, and provide additional capacity for highly complex exhibit, event, and environment programs. Construction is underway, with over 225 employees moving into the new Oak Creek building by late 2027. The headquarters will include an industry-leading experience center, new collaboration areas, space for training, and expand Derse's capabilities in both capacity and service offerings. With the ability to further expand the building up to 250,000 square feet, the site allows Derse to confidently plan for future growth. From vision to reality. The process started in 2018 but was put on hold because of the pandemic. Since then, Derse has expanded into a 650-person company with operations across the U.S. and Europe, outgrowing their current corporate headquarters. The dream of developing the 31-acre-site at the Oakview Business Park became possible due to the dedication of Derse's teams and clients. Derse represents one of the last privately held, family-owned exhibit partners of their size. Looking forward, Derse will remain committed to this ownership model and will continue to put their employees, clients, and partners before outside investors. "We try to think in decades, not in quarters and months, and the core of it really is our three-legged stool philosophy - we consistently try to balance what's best for the employees of this organization, our clients, and the company itself," said Derse CEO Brett Haney. "It's not always easy to do, but that's our mission, and through that mission, we've built a great company with happy employees, thriving families, and loyal clients." The move strengthens Derse's commitment to providing high-end, family-supporting jobs in southeast Wisconsin. "I'm very proud of Derse's midwestern roots," said Haney. "I've had the privilege of being able to travel most of the world because of our business, and I can tell you the work ethic, the family values, and the ability to raise a good family in the Midwest is second to none." Strengthening its southeast Wisconsin community. The project wouldn't be possible without Derse's strong partnerships with the City of Oak Creek, the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC), and the Milwaukee7 (M7) Regional Partnership. "We thought the universe would put us in the right spot, at the right time, with the right people," said Oak Creek Mayor Dan Bukiewicz. "That's exactly what happened one cold February day when we walked into Derse a couple of years ago. I knew it was a world-class company. I knew the work they did. I knew they had a long history. What I didn't know was how dedicated they were to their working staff and to their craft itself." The WEDC is supporting the project with up to $1.25 million in performance-based state income tax credits, contingent upon the number of jobs created and capital investment. "The state is standing behind you," said WEDC CEO and Secretary John Miller. "The people here are standing behind you. And the community is standing behind you. This is an absolute shining example of the success that we have when we work together and roll up our sleeves. We are excited to see what Derse becomes, and we congratulate you on your past success and even more success in the future." For more than 78 years, Derse has continued to evolve alongside their clients and industry. The new headquarters advances Derse's ability to create winning experiences with their clients for decades to come. Key facts: * The new international headquarters will be 300,000 square feet, with 250,000 square feet available for further expansion. * It will create 65 additional jobs and move over 225 employees into the new building. * Construction is expected to be completed by late 2027. * It will be the largest Derse facility in the world. * It will include an industry-leading experience center, new collaboration areas, space for training, and expand Derse's capabilities in both capacity and service offerings. * The WEDC is supporting the project with up to $1.25 million in performance-based state income tax credits. About Derse. Headquartered in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Derse is a family-owned experiential marketing agency and exhibit builder with nearly 600 employees across seven full-service divisions in the U.S. and Europe. For over 75 years, Derse has created award-winning exhibits, events, and environments in more than 50 countries, earning recognition as one of the most respected companies in the industry. Experiences Matter at Derse. Learn more at www.derse.com. About the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation. The Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) leads economic development efforts for the state by advancing and maximizing opportunities in Wisconsin for businesses, communities and people to thrive in a globally competitive environment. Working with more than 600 regional and local partners, WEDC develops and delivers solutions representative of a highly responsive and coordinated economic development network. Visit wedc.org to learn more. Media contact.

EIN News
Aug 27th, 2026
Derse plans major expansion in Oak Creek.

Derse plans major expansion in Oak Creek. August 27, 2026, 22:53 GMT WEDC is supporting the project with $1.25 million in business tax credits MADISON, WI. AUG. 27, 2026 - Derse, Inc., will build a new international headquarters in Oak Creek, a move that will prepare the company for long-term growth and create 65 new jobs. Derse is a family-owned experiential marketing agency and exhibit builder for trade shows and events with locations in the United States and Europe. They design, build, and manage trade show exhibits, events, and environments for clients and have been recognized as an industry leader. The $48 million project is the largest in the company's nearly 80-year history and will consolidate two of the company's eight existing locations into a 300,000-square-foot-facility on a 31-acre site with the Oakview Business Park in Oak Creek. The Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) is supporting the project by authorizing up to $1.25 million in performance-based state income tax credits. The actual amount of the tax credits is contingent upon the number of jobs created and the amount of capital investment during the period. "It's exciting that Derse has chosen to expand and build its world headquarters here in Wisconsin," said John W. Miller, secretary and CEO of WEDC, the state's leading economic development organization. "Derse's decision shows a commitment not only to being a leader in the trade show and event industry, but also to our state and its culture of innovation." Derse held a groundbreaking celebration Thursday at the site in Oak Creek. Employees and operations at the company's Milwaukee and Waukegan, Ill., locations will move to the new headquarters, which will initially include a 60,000-square-foot office space and a 240,000-square-foot production and warehouse area. The site will also allow for future expansions of up to 250,000 square feet. Construction is expected to be completed by late 2027. "We're building for what's next. Not just for us, but for our network of clients and partners who rely on us to bring creative visions to life," said Brett Haney, CEO of Derse. "With both of our current facilities in Waukegan and Milwaukee nearing capacity due to company growth and both facilities having less than 36 months left on their leases, we found ourselves needing significantly more space in the Midwest that this major investment will allow for. This new facility would represent growth and would expand and enhance our ability to service clients, create more room for creative collaboration, and invest in the futures of our employees-all while staying deeply grounded in the values that got us here. Our vision for our new headquarters will be that it is the industry-leading facility for employees and customers in the United States." The new facility will offer collaboration areas, a presentation stage, space for training, and production and warehousing capabilities. Legal Disclaimer: EIN Presswire provides this news content "as is" without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the author above. You just read: August 27, 2026, 22:53 GMT Distribution channels: EIN Presswire's priority is author transparency. We do our best to weed out false and misleading content. The content above is the sole responsibility of the author who makes it available. If you have any complaints, kindly contact the author above.

WisBusiness
Aug 27th, 2026
Wisconsin Economic Development corp.: Derse plans major expansion in Oak Creek.

Wisconsin Economic Development corp.: Derse plans major expansion in Oak Creek. WEDC is supporting the project with $1.25 million in business tax credits MADISON, WI. AUG. 27, 2026 - Derse, Inc., will build a new international headquarters in Oak Creek, a move that will prepare the company for long-term growth and create 65 new jobs. Derse is a family-owned experiential marketing agency and exhibit builder for trade shows and events with locations in the United States and Europe. They design, build, and manage trade show exhibits, events, and environments for clients and have been recognized as an industry leader. The $48 million project is the largest in the company's nearly 80-year history and will consolidate two of the company's eight existing locations into a 300,000-square-foot-facility on a 31-acre site with the Oakview Business Park in Oak Creek. The Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) is supporting the project by authorizing up to $1.25 million in performance-based state income tax credits. The actual amount of the tax credits is contingent upon the number of jobs created and the amount of capital investment during the period. "It's exciting that Derse has chosen to expand and build its world headquarters here in Wisconsin," said John W. Miller, secretary and CEO of WEDC, the state's leading economic development organization. "Derse's decision shows a commitment not only to being a leader in the trade show and event industry, but also to our state and its culture of innovation." Derse held a groundbreaking celebration Thursday at the site in Oak Creek. Employees and operations at the company's Milwaukee and Waukegan, Ill., locations will move to the new headquarters, which will initially include a 60,000-square-foot office space and a 240,000-square-foot production and warehouse area. The site will also allow for future expansions of up to 250,000 square feet. Construction is expected to be completed by late 2027. "We're building for what's next. Not just for us, but for our network of clients and partners who rely on us to bring creative visions to life," said Brett Haney, CEO of Derse. "With both of our current facilities in Waukegan and Milwaukee nearing capacity due to company growth and both facilities having less than 36 months left on their leases, we found ourselves needing significantly more space in the Midwest that this major investment will allow for. This new facility would represent growth and would expand and enhance our ability to service clients, create more room for creative collaboration, and invest in the futures of our employees-all while staying deeply grounded in the values that got us here. Our vision for our new headquarters will be that it is the industry-leading facility for employees and customers in the United States." The new facility will offer collaboration areas, a presentation stage, space for training, and production and warehousing capabilities. About the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation The Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) leads economic development efforts for the state by advancing and maximizing opportunities in Wisconsin for businesses, communities and people to thrive in a globally competitive environment. Working with more than 600 regional and local partners, WEDC develops and delivers solutions representative of a highly responsive and coordinated economic development network. Visit wedc.org or follow WEDC on Twitter @WEDCNews to learn more.