Director of Human Resources - Junior Achievement of Wisconsin

Spano Pratt•Milwaukee, WI

9d•$100,000 - $125,000•Hybrid

About The Position

Junior Achievement of Wisconsin (JA Wisconsin) is seeking a Director of Human Resources to serve as its senior HR leader and a trusted strategic partner to the CEO. This role is responsible for driving the organization's people strategy, culture, and organizational effectiveness. As a key member of the leadership team, the Director will balance strategic vision with hands-on execution, leading all aspects of Human Resources while building scalable systems, developing leaders, and fostering a high-performing, values-driven workplace. This 'player-coach' role aligns talent, culture, and workforce strategy with organizational priorities, guides change, strengthens employee engagement, and ensures operational excellence across all HR functions. The Director partners closely with leaders throughout the organization to enhance organizational capability, develop future talent, and create an exceptional employee experience that supports JA Wisconsin's mission, growth, and long-term success. Junior Achievement USA is the nation's largest organization dedicated to giving young people the knowledge and skills they need to own their economic success, plan for their future, and make smart academic and economic choices. JA's programs focus on work readiness, entrepreneurship, and financial literacy. JA Wisconsin is the region’s premier business-connected educational provider, working with school districts to integrate and scale experiential learning, reaching over 120,000 students annually. The organization is also expanding its efforts to support young adults struggling with independent living after school.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in human resources, business administration, or a related field.
7+ years of progressive HR experience, including senior-level leadership responsibility.
Experience as the lead HR professional in a mid-sized organization (<150 employees) is preferred.
Experience in a non-profit organization is preferred.
Demonstrated success building HR programs, infrastructure, and processes from the ground up.
Strong knowledge of employment law, employee relations, compensation, and talent management.
Proven experience in change management and organizational development.
Excellent interpersonal, communication, and conflict-resolutions skills.
Ability to maintain confidentiality and handle sensitive information with discretion.
Proficiency in HRIS systems, ADP Workforce Now preferred, and Microsoft Office Suite.
HR certification (e.g. SHRM-CP, SHRM-SCP, PHR, SPHR) preferred.

Nice To Haves

Experience as the lead HR professional in a mid-sized organization (<150 employees)
Experience in a non-profit organization
ADP Workforce Now proficiency
HR certification (e.g. SHRM-CP, SHRM-SCP, PHR, SPHR)

Responsibilities

Serve as a strategic thought partner and trusted advisor to the CEO and leadership team.
Develop and execute a comprehensive people strategy aligned with organizational priorities and growth plans.
Lead workforce planning, organizational design, and succession planning efforts.
Establish scalable HR frameworks, systems, and processes to support a growing, multi-location organization.
Use data, insights, and business acumen to inform decision-making and influence organizational direction.
Partner with Finance on budgeting, compensation strategy, and workforce investments.
Champion a strong, cohesive organizational culture across all locations.
Design and implement initiatives to improve employee engagement, retention, and overall employee experience.
Coach and support leaders on performance management, employee relations, and team effectiveness.
Develop and facilitate leadership development programs that strengthen management capability.
Lead engagement assessments and translate insights into actionable plans.
Lead and support change management efforts tied to organizational growth, transformation, and strategic initiatives.
Build readiness and adoption strategies for new programs, structures, and processes.
Support leaders and employees through change while maintaining trust, clarity, and alignment.
Establish strong communication and feedback loops to promote transparency and engagement.
Maintain direct ownership and accountability for all HR functions, including employee relations, performance management, compensation, benefits, compliance, talent acquisition, onboarding, policy development, and employee development.
Balance strategic leadership with hands-on execution in core HR processes and day-to-day needs.
Ensure compliance with all federal, state, and local employment laws and regulations.
Develop, maintain, and continuously improve HR policies, procedures, and the employee handbook.
Oversee payroll processing, and directly perform recruiting activities, HRIS administration, reporting, and employee records management.
Independently manage health, retirement, and wellness programs provided through Junior Achievement USA, including local implementation, compliance, employee education, and issue resolution, ensuring a seamless employee experience within a multi-entity model.
Evaluate and implement HR systems, tools, and process improvements to increase efficiency and scalability.
Design and execute talent acquisition strategies to attract and retain high-quality talent.
Build structured onboarding, performance management, and career development programs.
Implement succession planning and internal talent development practices.
Monitor workforce trends and proactively recommend talent and retention strategies.
Provide leadership and oversight for administrative functions, facilities, or related operational support areas, as needed.
Identify and implement opportunities to improve organizational efficiency and service delivery.
Collaborate cross-functionally to enhance overall organizational performance and effectiveness.