Director, People and Culture

The Opportunity

Sustainable Conservation seeks an experienced and innovative human resources professional who is people-centric, understands the importance of a healthy work culture, and develops strategies to advance practices that support both. Working in partnership and collaboration across a small but dynamic organization, the Director, People and Culture brings expertise and creativity to our existing employment-related programs. They also prioritize efforts to cultivate a diverse, equitable, and inclusive work environment, including one that is currently remote and anticipated to be hybrid post-pandemic.  

Reporting Relationship  This position reports directly to the Chief Executive Officer. Leadership starts at the top and our CEO receives top ratings year after year. 

Primary and Specific Responsibilities 

Recruiting: Directly manage the organization’s recruiting process, including defining and implementing strategies to attract, hire, and retain top talent across the organization with a focus on building a diverse and inclusive team. Partner with others to develop job descriptions, define core competencies, prepare announcements, and determine outreach strategies. Manage review and selection process, conducting initial screens, coordinating interviews, and arranging debriefs, applying anti-bias practices and providing training as needed. Conduct reference checks and finalize and communicate terms of offer in collaboration with the CEO and program.  Develop and oversee the new hire orientation process in collaboration with program teams and departments to ensure a positive onboarding experience.  

Culture Building: Collaborate with Leadership and all staff to cultivate a culture consistent with the organization’s external approach of partnership and collaboration, and in alignment with its diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) commitments. Keep a finger on the pulse of staff morale by conducting periodic and annual surveys. Lead or facilitate group discussions around any surfacing issues, organizational changes, and best practices for well-being at work. Identify and bring in outside resources as appropriate to provide group training or individual coaching. Help plan and organize staff activities and gatherings (online and in-person) to foster a sense of community and connection. 

Job Performance, Engagement, and Professional Development: Review and modify as appropriate the organization’s annual performance review process; communicate and explain process to others as needed. Assist with developing effective feedback, development plans, and corrective actions as appropriate, reinforcing consistent and equitable practices. Provide guidance and coaching to supervisors to address employee engagement, retention, behavior, and performance concerns. Ensure all staff have clear professional development goals and help to identify training resources when needed. Create systems to track progress and outcomes related to professional development activities and objectives. 

Employee Relations: Ensure all HR practices are people-centric, consistent, and DEI-aligned. Provide coaching and guidance to supervisors concerning medical and disability leaves, ADA accommodations, workers comp, and other potential claims. Respond to grievances or complaints, and work with outside legal counsel as appropriate. 

Conflict Resolution/Mediation: Provide guidance and coaching to resolve problems and address issues in a timely manner. Promote and facilitate effective conflict resolution as requested. Communicate Sustainable Conservation’s conflict resolution policy to new hires and to other staff as necessary. Mediate internal disputes where appropriate or make recommendations for outside assistance. 

Employment Policy: Develop, update, and communicate employment policies to establish positive employer-employee relationships, promote a high level of employee morale, and ensure compliance with federal and state laws and regulations. 

Compensation and Benefits: Partner with CEO in decisions concerning the organization’s benefit programs and compensation structures. Participate in compensation and benefit surveys as needed and make recommendations to ensure Sustainable Conservation is competitive in attracting and retaining top talent. Develop internal salary ranges for all positions and ensure consistency and equity in making salary decisions. 

Oversee all aspects of employee health/welfare benefit plans and other related benefit programs, including group plan renewal process as well as individual enrollments, terminations, and special claims situations (e.g., workers comp, or LTD). Additionally, ensure information related to 401(k) is communicated annually and as new hires become eligible. 

Organizational Development: In partnership with CEO and other senior staff, evaluate needs and strategies for restructuring within programs or departments. Partnership efforts include creation of new positions, succession planning, addressing training needs, changes in roles or reporting relationships, plans for expansion into other geographic areas, and applying a DEI lens to all efforts. 

Required Experience, Skills, and Traits 

An experienced human resource professional with 5-10 years hands-on experience across the full range of human resources functions, ideally from working in a small to mid-size organization.  

Bachelor’s degree or a relevant combination of skills and experience. SPHR or PHR certification a plus. 

Non-profit experience preferred, commitment to our mission and approach essential. 

Strong, unwavering commitment to DEI, paired with prior related training; experience developing and implementing consistent, equitable policies and practices. 

Excellent listening skills; leads with curiosity and inquiry and refrains from making assumptions. 

Experience coaching others in best practices on managing performance toward clear goals, objectively evaluating/supporting progress, identifying strengths, and providing feedback that motivates rather than defeats. 

Experience working with all levels of staff, with the ability to coach others on effective interpersonal communications, and conflict prevention and resolution. 

Experience leading and facilitating meetings and/or workshops. 

Possesses a good understanding of federal and California employment law with experience interpreting and guiding others in its application, without being officious, to ensure compliance and reduce exposure; knows when to consult legal counsel. 

Strong, clear verbal and written communication skills; good at synthesizing and explaining policies and practices. 

Skilled in using Microsoft Office applications; experience with SharePoint/O365 a plus. 

Healthy sense of humor, flexible attitude, and a balanced perspective extremely helpful. 

What We Offer 

A competitive compensation package based on experience, fully paid health insurance benefits (for employee, with contribution toward dependent coverage), generous match on 401(k), vacation, sick leave, plus the week between Christmas and New Year’s Day as holiday leave. Our best benefit is our culture. Our talented staff is collaborative, dedicated, and caring. We believe in practicing our values in how we do our work and with each other. 

Sustainable Conservation is an equal opportunity employer and strongly encourages qualified individuals from all backgrounds to apply to our job openings. 

TO APPLY:  Please e-mail your cover letter and resume to Jobs@suscon.org and reference Director, People and Culture in the Subject line.