Associate Vice President, People

The Humane League

22h•Remote

About The Position

The Humane League (THL) is seeking an Associate Vice President of People to provide comprehensive senior leadership across its People functions. This critical role will directly drive THL's global impact by ensuring that people strategies are scalable, resilient, and deeply aligned with the mission to end the abuse of animals raised for food. The ideal candidate will have significant progressive, senior-level HR experience, expert knowledge of US and non-US employment laws, and a proven track record in mission-driven organizations. This role requires a strong commitment to THL's mission, a leadership style focused on empowerment, open communication, and accountability, and an understanding of global workforce dynamics. The Associate VP of People will develop and implement effective systems, policies, and procedures, serve as a collaborative business partner to the Senior Leadership Team, and oversee strategic planning and budgeting for the People function. This is a full-time, remote position based in the USA, Canada, Denmark, Ecuador, Hungary, Ireland, Netherlands, Norway, Peru, or the United Kingdom, requiring occasional international travel and potential work outside standard hours to facilitate global collaboration.

Requirements

Progressive advanced to expert-level People/Human Resources leadership experience in values-driven roles focused on setting direction for the People function.
Significant People leadership experience in a non-profit or other mission-driven organization, with a strong, unwavering commitment to the organization’s values and mission.
Proven ability to direct entire departments with a focus on strategic leadership, shaping and reinforcing an inclusive organizational culture, and translating goals into actionable plans while effectively managing and empowering senior-level direct reports.
Extensive working expertise in compliance, risk management, and the ethical application of HR policies in a global context.
Significant experience managing international employment, compliance, and cultural nuances (non-U.S. presence), alongside a strong background of federal and state labor laws (U.S. presence).
Expert knowledge and significant People leadership experience in organizations successfully utilizing indirect employment models (e.g. PEO and EOR).
Demonstrates advanced, senior-level strategic thinking by developing and implementing transformative HR strategies that drive organizational success and align with broader organizational goals, vision, and culture.
Adept at articulating the People team's vision and goals, ensuring clear communication of top-level strategic priorities across all levels, and fostering a culture of open dialogue and feedback.
Highly skilled at writing HR policies, including procedures for hiring and workplace complaints.
Able to communicate changes and navigate complex topics with sensitivity, providing appropriate context and maintaining confidentiality when necessary.
Excels in addressing systemic interpersonal challenges and leading organizational culture initiatives.
Leads by example, promoting empathy and trust-building as fundamental components of organizational relationships and partnerships, and through exercising active listening skills and mentoring team members on developing emotional intelligence.
Open to giving and receiving employee feedback in a supportive and encouraging manner, seeing constructive criticism as an opportunity for growth and improvement.
Leads initiatives that enhance collaboration at the senior level to form and maintain strategic alignment and partnerships.
Drives collaborative efforts to achieve organizational objectives and enhance overall performance, with expert skills in fostering mutual understanding and buy-in within the organization.
Excels in approaching and addressing challenges through cross-functional collaboration and strategic thinking.
Able to identify the root of an issue and effectively resolve conflict, demonstrating emotional intelligence and understanding while ensuring solutions align with organizational values and goals.
Oversees high-level data analysis initiatives across all People Team functions, capitalizing on data-driven insights to drive strategic decisions, actualize the People Team vision and goals, and improve employee experiences.
Drives organizational adaptation and fosters innovation, shaping organizational responses to market changes and global workforce trends.
Influences the development of standards for proactive leadership while inspiring and motivating business units to take on a proactive mindset.

Responsibilities

Lead and mentor the People team, providing senior-level guidance, coaching, and strategic direction to ensure excellence across all People functions.
Develop and drive the organization’s overarching global People and Culture vision, leveraging advanced data analysis and cutting-edge best practices to inform strategic HR decisions and optimize the employee experience globally.
Oversee and lead large-scale internal system and process optimization across all People functions, including talent acquisition, performance management, employee relations, learning and development, employee engagement, compensation, benefits, and global HR functions, maintaining an unwavering focus on equity, compliance, efficiency, and an exceptional employee experience.
Lead the development of the organization’s comprehensive employee handbook and other critical organizational policies and procedures, ensuring compliance with best practices for both U.S. staff and global workers.
Integrate international labor standards into operational practices to ensure consistency and alignment with strategic objectives, particularly in regions where staff are employed through indirect models (PEO, EOR, etc.).
Serve as the top-level expert on complex, multi-jurisdictional employment matters, guiding global compensation, benefits, and statutory compliance.
Cultivate a high-accountability, high-agency environment where employees feel empowered, trusted, and effective in their roles, fostering a culture of agency, mutual understanding, and continuous growth.
Champion Equal Employment Opportunity initiatives within the People function and across the organization, ensuring all policies and practices promote an inclusive workplace.
Drive employee engagement and retention strategies, ensuring the People team effectively supports managers in fostering healthy, productive working relationships.
Oversee the strategic planning and budgeting for the People function and are responsible for near-to-mid and long-term business results.
Serve as a collaborative business partner to the Senior Leadership Team and other leaders in the organization, ensuring your department meets organizational needs and delivering top-tier expertise on critical matters across talent management strategy, organizational design, and change management.