Director of People & Culture

Open positions at Cara•Chicago, IL

5d•Hybrid

About The Position

As the Director of People & Culture, you will be the heart of driving our organization’s mission to fuel a national movement to eradicate relational and financial poverty through a culture that is inclusive, supportive and allows all employees to thrive. You’ll have the unique opportunity to shape the employee experience, foster a culture of belonging, and lead organizational development initiatives that empower our team to transform lives. This role is ideal for an HR professional who brings experience in organizational development and a genuine desire to enhance the human side of our growing staff community. You’ll work closely with Cara Collective’s executive team, leadership and staff to cultivate a culture that is both innovative and supportive, guiding our people as we expand our impact. Your influence extends to key areas such as building Cara’s employee culture, developing leaders across the organization, promoting inclusive practices, facilitating cultural integration across our entities, ensuring compliance with employment regulations, and more. You will have a comprehensive scope in this role, encompassing not only Cara but also its affiliated social enterprise, Cleanslate, and any future social enterprises. You will be uniquely positioned to implement people, culture and HR best practices across the entire organization, contributing to the overall success and sustainability of Cara Collective's mission.

Requirements

At least 5 years of experience as a senior leader of human resources and people & culture with demonstrated success, preferably in a nonprofit or social enterprise environment
An established professional track record of developing and motivating others, acting with integrity, thinking strategically, and driving results within a positive workplace culture.
High accountability for strict deadlines; high attention to detail; ability to manage multiple tasks in a fast-paced environment.
A passion for creating a diverse, equitable, and inclusive work environment.
Excellent communication skills and a collaborative mindset.
Proficiency with HRIS systems.
Strong knowledge in labor relations, compliance, and change management.
A collaborative spirit and ability to work with senior leadership.

Responsibilities

Drive full cycle recruitment, onboarding, retention and succession planning initiatives for Cara and its social enterprise(s) to ensure the organization continues to attract and retain top talent.
Oversee the company’s Career Pathing strategy and execution.
Lead professional development, job and career training efforts for employees and managers.
Oversee employee benefit programs, ensuring they remain a vital component of all that makes Cara Collective a desirable place to work.
Oversee the organization’s semi-annual employee performance evaluation process, including managing the process and training leaders on how best to conduct them.
Lead periodic salary analyses to ensure Cara Collective stays on target relative to market compens.
Administer employee surveys; develop key performance indicators and benchmarks to evaluate and manage organizational performance.
Lead a total team of 4 individuals and provide coaching, mentorship and growth opportunities.
Serve as a member of Cara Collective’s Leadership Team, and a strategic thought leader for organizational culture & development and people development.
Collaborate with COO and the rest of Executive team on development and implementation of organizational strategic plans and programs.
Oversee HR initiatives and projects in the context of Cara Collective’s strategic priorities.
Serve as a trusted advisor and confidant to staff at all levels, offering guidance on professional development, conflict resolution, and organizational growth.
Partner with leadership to support organizational change initiatives, guiding employees through transitions while maintaining morale and productivity.
Cultivate a positive, inclusive, and collaborative workplace culture that aligns with our values and mission.
Foster a growth mindset and champion innovation, helping teams adapt to new tools, systems, and ways of working.
Advocate for a healthy work environment, offering creative solutions for team-building, mental health support, and professional development.
Manage organizational compliance with federal, state and local legislation pertaining to all personnel matters; maintain knowledge of industry trends in this area.
Make recommendations to executive management as necessary.
Communicate with employees regarding changes in statutory regulations or the organization's personnel policies and procedures.