Director of Human Resources

Cato Institute•Washington, DC

34m•$140,000 - $160,000

About The Position

Cato Institute, a libertarian think tank conveniently located in downtown Washington, DC, is seeking an experienced Director of Human Resources to help develop and manage our growing staff of scholars and administrative support personnel (now about 210 staff). This senior management level position will oversee recruitment, benefits administration, compliance with labor law, human resource policy and procedures, performance review process, salary administration, and employee relations. In addition, the Director of Human Resources will work closely with the CFO and Chief of Staff to develop strategies, policies, and initiatives associated with training and development and other human resources activities for the entire organization. This position will report to the CFO and will have three direct reports, consisting of two managers and one assistant. A qualified candidate will have at least seven years’ experience as a Human Resource professional, expertise in labor law (particularly with FLSA, FMLA, some immigration policies and procedures), a strong work ethic, a proactive and collaborative nature, experience in organization and cultural change management, and philosophical alignment with Cato Institute’s mission. The projected salary range for this role is $140,000 - $160,000 per year. Compensation is based on the successful candidate's educational background, experience, and skills. TO BE CONSIDERED FOR THIS POSITION, YOU MUST COMPLETE THE TALENT MARKET APPLICATION! About Cato The Cato Institute is a public policy research organization—a think tank—dedicated to the principles of individual liberty, limited government, free markets, and peace. Its scholars and analysts conduct independent, nonpartisan research on a wide range of policy issues. Cato Institute is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Requirements

At least seven years of HR management experience, preferably in not-for-profit organization
Mission aligned with an understanding the values of our libertarian culture; ability to successfully apply those ideals throughout this function
BA/BS in Human Resources Administration, Business Administration, or a related field strongly preferred
Deep understanding of core HR processes and labor law
Excellent oral and written communications skills
High degree of proficiency in MS Office – Word, PowerPoint, Excel
Experience and proficiency in use of HRIS (currently using Paylocity)
Proactive, collaborative, team-oriented
Thorough knowledge of the general principles and practices of human resources administration
Knowledge of and experience with sound techniques in all aspects of human resources management, including a proven track record in hiring judgment
Demonstrated ability to develop long-term plans and programs and to evaluate work accomplishments
Ability to establish and maintain effective relationships with management staff, employees, and network partners
Ability to communicate effectively with employees and outside contacts at all levels (both in oral and written form) and handle multiple tasks simultaneously
Excellent planning and organizational skills, as well as attention to detail
Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, team-oriented work environment
Ideal candidate embraces AI and actively seeks opportunities to use it to streamline processes and improve operational efficiency
Proven experience leading and managing multi-state payroll and benefits compliance in a highly regulated environment

Responsibilities

Define, document, and provide oversight and management of the recruitment, new employee onboarding, and separation processes
Drive adoption, compliance, and continuous improvement of the individual performance management process
Administer and continuously improve the salary, title, and raise process
Become an expert super-user of the HCM system (Paylocity)
Drive adoption and use of HR online self-service tools
Ensure compliance and on-time reporting in accordance with IRS, DOL, and other government regulators
Set, communicate, and drive adherence and alignment to the organization’s policies, processes, and procedures; review and make recommendations annually
Handle employee relations and personnel issues, consult with legal counsel as appropriate or as directed by Senior Management.
Oversee benefits administration and compliance managed by the Human Resources Manager
Recommend, evaluate, and coordinate staff development opportunities for staff
Support general operations of the organization, help maintain a strong organizational culture