Director of Culture and Employee Experience
hace 3 días
Grand Rapids
Job Description:\n\nDescription: Job Title: Director of Culture & Employee Experience Department: Employee Experience Reports To: Chief Culture & Community Officer FLSA Status: Exempt Approved By: Dwelling Place Chief Officers Approved Date: October 2025 Summary: The Director of Culture & Employee Experience strengthens the organization’s capacity, culture, and performance by leading strategic human resources initiatives, operational systems, and compliance frameworks. Working in close partnership with the Chief Culture & Community Officer (CCCO) and other senior leaders, this role ensures that internal policies, workforce strategies, and nonprofit operational practices are cohesive, equitable, and aligned with organizational goals. The Director drives continuous improvement through data-informed decision-making, cross-departmental collaboration, and a focus on staff development, accountability, and organizational resilience. The ideal candidate combines strategic insight with operational excellence and a deep commitment to fostering a high-performing, inclusive workplace that advances the organization’s mission. Essential Duties and Responsibilities include the following. Other duties may be assigned. Human Resources & Organizational DevelopmentProvide strategic oversight of Human Resources policy, workforce planning, and staff development initiatives.Lead succession planning and workforce analytics to strengthen leadership pipelines and organizational health.Guide recruitment, retention, and performance systems that advance appreciation and wellness priorities.Use Human Resources metrics (turnover, retention, engagement) to inform leadership decisions and culture strategy.Partner with Employee Experience staff and the CCCO on equitable pay, benefits, and professional development strategies.Manage and oversee daily Human Resources concerns, alongside HR staff. Policy, Process, & Compliance Oversee creation and continuous improvement of policies and procedures that ensure consistency and accountability.Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local regulations (EEO, FLSA, ADA, FMLA, OSHA, etc.).Conduct nonprofit operational audits and risk reviews to safeguard accuracy, safety, and mission alignment.Maintain oversight of compliance frameworks to meet funder, regulatory, and accreditation standards. Culture, Change, & Communication Lead organizational change efforts that strengthen alignment, engagement, and operational excellence.Serve as a culture-carrier and strategic partner to the CCCO, modeling inclusive and collaborative leadership.Partner with Human Resources and Marketing to ensure internal communications are transparent, consistent, and mission driven.Champion a culture of continuous learning, innovation, and accountability.Oversee organization-wide training that builds leadership capacity and reinforces core values. Operational Strategy & Resource Management Partner with the CCCO and leadership team to align operational priorities with strategic goals and organizational culture.Anticipate challenges and identify opportunities to modernize systems and strengthen resilience.Lead the design and monitoring of operational systems, dashboards, and KPIs that track organizational performance.Translate strategic initiatives into actionable plans that improve efficiency and cross-department coordination.Support department-level implementation of initiatives that ensure alignment and measurable results.Develop and manage department budgets in partnership with Finance to ensure fiscal responsibility and strategic alignment.Collaborate with Human Resources and Finance on compensation analysis, benefits design, and workforce cost forecasting.Engage in utilizing operational data (HR, IT, performance, engagement) to shape decision-making.Coordinate (HR, IT, performance, engagement) cross-department projects that improve collaboration and efficiency.Identify cost-saving measures and implement systems to improve operational and financial performance. Supervisory Responsibilities Supervises one or more employees, including but not limited to HR, IT, and Employee Experience Staff. Carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the organization's policies and applicable laws. Responsibilities include interviewing, hiring, and training employees; planning, assigning, and directing work; appraising performance; rewarding and disciplining employees; addressing complaints and resolving problems.Requirements: Competencies To perform the job successfully, an individual should demonstrate the following competencies:Job Knowledge - Competent in required job skills and knowledge; Exhibits ability to learn and apply new skills; Keeps abreast of current developments; Requires minimal supervision; Displays understanding of how job relates to others; Uses resources wisely.Analytical - Synthesizes complex or diverse information; Collects and researches data; Uses intuition and experience to complement data; Designs workflows and procedures.Problem Solving - Identifies and resolves problems in a timely manner; Gathers and analyzes information skillfully; Develops alternative solutions; Works well in group problem solving situations; Uses reason even when dealing with emotional topics.Technology Leadership - Leverages technology for improved efficiency and growth; Tracks emerging technologies; Determines organizational implications of major technology trends; Assesses risks and benefits of adopting new technologies; Addresses implementation and change management issues.Managing People - Includes staff in planning, decision-making, facilitating and process improvement; Takes responsibility for subordinates' activities; Makes self available to staff; Provides regular performance feedback; Develops subordinates' skills and encourages growth; Solicits and applies customer feedback (internal and external); Fosters quality focus in others; Improves processes, products and services.; Continually works to improve supervisory skills; Fosters cooperation; Defines team roles and responsibilities; Supports group problem solving; Acknowledges team accomplishments.Financial Responsibility - Understands financial targets and budget goals; Incorporates financial analysis into strategic decisions; Implements operating budget flexibly to address changing priorities; Creates sound business cases to support expenditures; Promotes conservation of organizational resources.Strategic Thinking - Develops strategies to achieve organizational goals; Understands organization's strengths & weaknesses; Analyzes market and competition; Identifies external threats and opportunities; Adapts strategy to changing conditions.Planning/Organizing - Prioritizes and plans work activities; Uses time efficiently; Plans for additional resources; Sets goals and objectives; Organizes or schedules other people and their tasks; Develops realistic action plans Safety and Security - Observes safety and security procedures; Determines appropriate action beyond guidelines; Reports potentially unsafe conditions; Uses equipment and materials properly.Adaptability - Adapts to changes in the work environment; Manages competing demands; Changes approach or method to best fit the situation; Able to deal with frequent change, delays, or unexpected events.Initiative - Volunteers readily; Undertakes self-development activities; Seeks increased responsibilities; Takes independent actions and calculated risks; Looks for and takes advantage of opportunities; Asks for and offers help when needed.Innovation - Displays original thinking and creativity; Meets challenges with resourcefulness; Generates suggestions for improving work; Develops innovative approaches and ideas; Presents ideas and information in a manner that gets others' attention.General Competency - To contribute to the Dwelling Place mission, each employee must possess skills beyond the technical requirements for the position. An employee must also demonstrate the ability and capacity to work with others in a manner that fosters trust, cooperation, and a positive team esprit de corps. Dwelling Place expects each employee to maintain high ethical standards in their interactions with customers, other staff, vendors, and the public generally. Dwelling Place employees are also expected to be dependable, to be respectful of others, to use sound judgment, to seek out new opportunities for learning and to communicate effectively with others.Employees must abide by all Dwelling Place policies including but not limited to the Dwelling Place Code of Ethics and personnel policies. Qualifications To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.Demonstrated success in managing HR compliance, workforce planning, and organizational culture initiatives.Strong understanding of employment law, HR systems (Paylocity or equivalent), and benefit administration.Experience supervising multiple functional areas (HR, IT, Marketing, Operations).Proven track record in policy development, cross-departmental collaboration, and strategic execution.Excellent interpersonal, problem-solving, and communication skills with an ability to navigate sensitive workplace issues with discretion and empathy.Commitment to the mission and values of Dwelling Place, including equity, inclusion, and community-centered development. Education and/or Experience Master’s degree in Human Resources, Nonprofit Management, Business, or Public Administration preferred. PHR/SPHR, SHRM-CP, or SHRM-SCP certification strongly preferred. Minimum 5+ years of progressive operational and HR leadership experience, preferably in nonprofit, housing, or community development sectors.Commitment Skills Sets high standards of performance; pursues aggressive goals and works hard/smart to achieve them; strives for results and success; conveys a sense of urgency and brings issues to closure and be adept at multitasking while maintaining accountability for complete and timely work performance. Demonstrates strong organizational, project management, and problem-solving skills.Communication Skills Outstanding communication and people skills needed to interact and coordinate with staff across different departments. Superior negotiation skills for both internal and external purposes.Language Skills Ability to read, analyze, and interpret the most complex documents. Ability to respond effectively to the most sensitive inquiries or complaints. Ability to write speeches and articles using original or innovative techniques or style. Ability to make effective and persuasive speeches and presentations on controversial or complex topics to top management, public groups, and/or boards of directors. Bilingual (fluent in Spanish) is preferred.Mathematical Skills Ability to calculate figures and amounts such as discounts, interest, commissions, proportions, percentages, area, circumference, and volume. Ability to apply concepts of basic algebra and geometry.Reasoning Ability Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.Computer Skills To perform this job successfully, an individual should have knowledge of Property Management Software; Database software; Internet software; Excel; Outlook; and Word.Professional Licenses, Certificates, Registrations Valid Michigan Driver’s License; Project Management Certification preferred; SHRM-CP/SCP or similar accreditation preferred.Other Skills and Abilities Masterful organizational and leadership skills, backed by previous professional success.Other Qualifications Must be willing to work occasional evenings and weekends as needed to complete the requirements of the position. Must be able to travel as required for the position. Physical Demands The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this Job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee is frequently required to sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel and reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl and taste or smell. The employee must regularly lift and /or move up to 10 pounds, frequently lift and/or move up to 25 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus. Work Environment The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions. While performing the duties of this Job, the employee is occasionally exposed to outside weather conditions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. Many Dwelling Place staff take advantage of the hybrid remote work policy which generally allows staff to work from home up to two days per week. Additional remote time is available upon advance approval by the supervisor and Human Resources. Certain restrictions apply, qualified candidates may request a copy of the full policy which is included in the personnel manual. Employees must abide by all Dwelling Place policies including but not limited to the Dwelling Place Code of Ethics and personnel policies. Compensation & Benefits We offer a comprehensive, market-competitive compensation package, benchmarked against industry standards to attract top talent. Our compensation philosophy is to match or exceed industry averages.