Human Resources Director
Oakland, CA / Washington, DC / Remote
People – People /
Regular - Full Time /
Remote
Job Title: Human Resources Director
Department: People
Location: Oakland, CA, Washington, DC, or Remote. This position requires an ability to travel.
Reports To: Chief People Officer
Supervises: Up to 5 direct reports
Context: At the Sierra Club, we believe in the power of interdependence. Together, we remain committed to the fight for a healthy climate built on a foundation of environmental, racial, economic, and gender justice – a future where all people benefit from a healthy, thriving planet and a direct connection to nature. As the climate crisis and deeply entrenched systemic racism all fuel injustice, we will continue to fight for a bold, transformational agenda that recognizes the interconnectedness between our planet, our humanity, and our future. By recognizing that our destinies are tied, we continue to name that all things are fundamentally connected, and the overlap between ecology, race, gender, and representative government will move to either advance our collective humanity or to oppress it. Sierra Club has close to 800 staff across the country and a network of 64 local chapters that are led and fueled by thousands of volunteers. We are also proud to be a unionized employer, with three labor unions representing more than half of our employees.
Scope: Reporting to the Chief People Officer and partnering with the Director of Employee Experience, the HR Director administers or oversees the administration of compensation, benefits, and leave; disciplinary matters; disputes and investigations; performance and talent management; HRIS administration.
The Director is responsible for mentoring and managing members of the People team and works diligently to establish and grow a culture of mutual feedback and accountability, as well as leading on delivery of key aspects of the work.
Job activities include but are not limited to:
- Help lead the People Function. Partner with the Chief People Officer and Director of Employee Experience to outline departmental goals and strategic aims. Maintain knowledge of trends, best practices, regulatory changes, and new technologies in human resources, talent management, and employment law; apply this knowledge to communicate changes in policy, practice, and resources to upper management. Assist with developing the departmental budget.
- Administer People Operations. Oversee compensation, benefits, leave, and HRIS administration. Field and fulfill information requests. Work closely with Labor Relations, Legal, Finance, and Operations on cross-department initiatives. Monitor and ensure the organization’s compliance with federal, state, and local employment laws and regulations, and recommended best practices; review and modify policies and practices to maintain compliance.
- Lead Employee Relations & Investigations. Collaborate with stakeholders at all levels to develop strategies and processes that deliver compassionate and effective outcomes to Investigations and Employee Relations matters. Identify and address gaps, risks, and other opportunities with our approaches to Investigations and Employee Relations. Help to address the most sensitive, complex, and confidential employee issues.
- Help build and maintain a welcoming, supportive, and thriving culture that reflects Sierra Club’s organizational values. Champion the organization’s core values and serve as a key catalyst in growing culture and systems centered in belonging, dignity, justice, and joy (BDJJ framework by Decolonize Design). Support and build successful teams, identifying and motivating high performers, and navigating difficult conversations. Build relationships with staff at all levels grounded in trust and authenticity.
- Supervise members of the People team. Establish and maintain a collaborative, service-oriented team to deliver efficient, professional, and compassionate HR results. Strive to ensure a team culture of open, honest communication and mutual feedback. Establish standards and priorities for team members. Ensure the development and training of team members. Prepare and conduct performance evaluations. Make hiring, salary, promotion, and termination decisions. Conduct regular check-ins with each direct report. Coach, support, and mentor with a particular focus on ensuring thoughtful engagement on personnel matters and consistent application of HR policies and practices.
The successful candidate must demonstrate the following skills, experience and competencies:
- Extensive professional Human Resources experience and certification. Experience in all HR verticals is desirable. Experience working with organizational leadership to achieve strategic HR goals. Experience leading HR functions at large organizations. Senior-level certification from SHRM or HRCI desired.
- Superb Relational Skills & Effective Communicator. A track record of developing trustworthy working relationships between staff, volunteers, management and unions- across all levels and identities. Exhibit a high level of emotional intelligence and cultivate trusting and collaborative relationships with individuals and groups. Foster relationships that support individual and collective ability to grow, thrive, and work effectively together. A decisive communicator, practice intentional, active listening, and have the ability to remain non-judgmental, and patient.
- Experience Managing Staff and Teams. You've worked across cultural lines on a dispersed team and you have the ability to operate in complex situations. Experience developing and leading organization-wide people programs. Track record of building and maintaining a positive and supportive organizational culture in a dynamic environment; trauma-informed and people-centered approach to problematic interpersonal issues; coaching and mentoring direct reports, peers, and leaders on effective talent management practices. Advanced relational and interpersonal skills to include: coaching and skill-building, communication, navigating and resolving conflict, giving and receiving feedback.
- Able to operate in accordance with reporting and disclosure practices. Excellent judgment and a high level of discretion, especially when handling sensitive and confidential information. Working knowledge of the legal and social implications of maintaining confidentiality.
- Committed to evolution. You are committed to continuously deepening and evolving your own understanding of systems of oppression through study, openness, and humility. And you easily recognize your own relationship to privilege and power, examining and shifting your behaviors as appropriate.
- Uplifting and additive. You see mistakes as opportunities for growth; problems as catalysts for solutions, and inspire others along the journey. You carry a constructive approach, can-do attitude, a sense of humor, and authentic kindness wherever you go.
- Thorough knowledge of current state and Federal employment laws, and record-keeping requirements.
$155,000 - $175,000 a year
Compensation and Benefits
The salary range for this position is $155,000 - $175,000 annually.
The Sierra Club offers a competitive salary package commensurate with skills and experience plus excellent benefits that include medical, dental, and vision coverage, and a retirement savings 401(k) plan.
This is a category #2, exempt, non-represented, confidential, managerial, and supervisory position.
Sierra Club values the expertise and talents of foreign nationals. Sierra Club sponsors both nonimmigrant and immigrant visas when certain criteria are met, based on immigration laws and organizational needs. Such sponsorship is at the discretion of the Department Head and Sierra Club People Department in consultation with the employee’s manager. The Sierra Club cannot guarantee the approval of a visa petition. The Sierra Club is an equal opportunity employer committed to workforce belonging.
To Apply
The Sierra Club provides equal employment and advancement opportunities to all staff members. Employment decisions are based on merit, qualifications, lived experience and skills. The Sierra Club does not discriminate in employment opportunities or practices on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, immigration status, socioeconomic status, ancestry, age, size, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, familial status, veteran status, disability, AIDS/HIV status, medical condition, prior conviction, arrest history, traits historically associated with race, including, but not limited to, hair texture and protective hairstyles, or any other characteristic protected by law.
The Sierra Club values applicants who are people that identify as Black, Indigenous, and other minoritized groups; women; queer, transgender, gender non-conforming, and gender fluid people.
Explore, enjoy and protect the planet.
