Director of People and Culture
About The Position
The Director of People and Culture leads the organization’s people function and helps shape a workplace where team members can do their best work in service of the organization’s mission. As a member of the leadership team, this role sets direction for hiring, employee support, development, retention, HR systems, and compliance. The position combines strategic HR leadership with practical support for senior leaders and individual team members. The Director advises the Chief Operating Officer and senior leaders on people strategy, organizational design, and workforce planning; leads organizational change; and uses HR data and staff feedback to guide decisions. The role champions an inclusive, respectful culture and oversees engagement, recognition, retention, wellbeing, and equity-centered practices. The position oversees HR policies and compliance, administers Paylocity and payroll-related processes, and manages relationships with external HR, legal, payroll, and benefits partners. It leads recruitment and onboarding, employee relations and performance management, compensation and benefits programs, and staff learning, leadership development, succession planning, and career pathways. Other duties may be assigned.
Requirements
- At least 7 years of progressive HR experience, including at least 3 years in a leadership or management role.
- Strong knowledge of employment law and HR best practices.
- Demonstrated ability to advise senior leaders and lead organization-wide initiatives.
- Excellent communication, relationship-building, and organizational skills.
- Ability to handle confidential matters with professionalism and sound judgment.
- Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related field, or equivalent experience.
Nice To Haves
- Experience in a nonprofit or mission-driven organization.
- HR certification such as SPHR, SHRM-SCP, PHR, SHRM-CP, or similar.
- Experience with Paylocity or a similar HRIS/payroll platform, compensation design, and benefits administration.
- Track record of advancing equity-centered and inclusive HR practices.
Responsibilities
- Serve as a member of the leadership team and advise the Chief Operating Officer and senior leaders on human resources and people strategy, organizational design, and workforce planning.
- Develop and lead a people and culture strategy that supports organizational goals and reflects organizational values.
- Use HR data and staff feedback to identify trends, measure impact, and guide decisions.
- Lead organizational change efforts with clear communication and care for staff.
- Champion a positive, inclusive, and respectful workplace culture across teams and sites.
- Design and lead staff engagement, recognition, retention, and wellbeing initiatives.
- Embed equity-centered practices across hiring, pay, development, and advancement.
- Serve as a trusted resource for staff questions about policies, benefits, leave, and workplace practices.
- Oversee HR policies, procedures, and the employee handbook, keeping them current, clear, and consistently applied.
- Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local employment laws and nonprofit regulations.
- Serve as lead administrator for Paylocity, partnering with its support team to maintain accurate, secure, and confidential employee data and make full use of the platform’s tools.
- Manage relationships with external HR, legal, payroll, and benefits partners.
- Lead recruitment strategy and the full hiring process, from workforce planning through offer.
- Partner with hiring managers on equitable, inclusive recruitment and selection practices.
- Build an onboarding experience that welcomes, informs, and prepares new employees for success.
- Coach and equip supervisors and managers on performance management, feedback, and team leadership.
- Lead employee relations matters, including investigations and resolutions, with discretion and fairness.
- Own and continually improve the performance review and goal-setting process.
- Lead compensation strategy, including salary structures, benchmarking, and pay equity reviews.
- Oversee benefits programs, renewals, and open enrollment, and evaluate offerings for competitiveness and value.
- Build training, professional development, and leadership development programs for staff at all levels.
- Support succession planning and internal career pathways.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
Benefits
- Health, dental, and vision insurance
- Flexible spending plan
- Life, short-term, and long-term disability insurance
- 401(k) match up to 4%
- Generous PTO plan
- 13 paid holidays
- Employee referral program
- Paid parental and medical leave
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Director
