Head of People - Seattle

Ascend Partner Firms•Bellevue, WA

About The Position

Ascend is seeking a Head of People to support a local partner firm by developing and leading talent programs that attract and retain highly engaged professionals who can become future leaders. The role oversees People/Human Resources and administrative operations, including talent acquisition, employee engagement and relations, performance management, and learning and development. It enables business growth by devising and deploying strategic initiatives that provide effective HR solutions for the partner firm. The Head of People advises firm leadership on strategic human capital needs, develops and executes a data- and research-informed people strategy, and adapts priorities to the firm’s talent needs and the competitive accounting industry. The role leads employee services and compliance, develops People KPIs, and partners with Ascend and firm leaders on professional development, performance management, compensation, talent retention, and integrations of newly acquired assets.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university.
Track record of supporting People- and/or Talent-focused objectives with clear, effective, and actionable strategies.
Superior emotional intelligence and influencing skills.
Outstanding oral and written communication abilities.
Excellent leadership attributes and the capacity to inspire and motivate cross-functional teams.
Strong organizational, critical-thinking, and prioritization skills.

Responsibilities

Advise the leadership team on the business’s strategic human capital needs.
Develop and execute a data- and research-informed human capital strategy aligned with the firm’s strategic plan.
Maintain understanding of the firm’s talent needs and accounting-industry dynamics, refreshing strategic outcomes as needed.
Collaborate with leadership to deploy programs for talent attraction and retention, professional development, and integration of newly acquired assets.
Use compensation data and relevant market analysis to develop standardized pay scales.
Drive continuous improvement, address and mitigate talent-related risks, and stay current on relevant regulations, policies, and industry protocols.
Oversee employee services, including benefits enrollment, employee relations, and payroll, and respond proactively and promptly to employee questions.
Manage internal communications about People matters so information is clear, accessible, and actionable.
Manage compliance for personnel matters, including hiring and termination procedures.
Lead the development and monitoring of People KPIs, identifying leading indicators and addressing issues proactively.
Build Academy programs and comprehensive training in partnership with Ascend People leadership.
Direct semiannual performance evaluations using role scorecards and create supportive feedback loops for employees.
Teach managers effective performance management and bonus evaluation strategies.
Partner with Ascend’s Head of Professional Development to implement role- and level-specific learning pathways using existing resources.
Ensure the firm has strong performers in key roles needed to drive future growth.