Seattle, WA

Director/Senior Director, People and Operations, Philanthropy Northwest

The Organization

ABOUT PHILANTHROPY NORTHWEST

For more than 40 years, Philanthropy Northwest has served as a leader, collaborator, and partner, working side-by-side with our members and partners in Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Washington, and Wyoming, to show the power and potential of philanthropy. Through shared learning, networking, and action, we connect Northwest philanthropies of all types. We bring our members and partners together to learn, grow, and become stronger and more united through convenings, events, cohorts, funder tables, collaboratives, and civil discourse. We build more resilient, equitable and inclusive communities through our work by strengthening philanthropy’s impact and engaging in policy issues that address racial equity in communities.

Our work includes four core programs: 1) The Learning Network, a regional community providing opportunities for emerging and established philanthropy leaders to connect, learn and grow; 2) Democracy and advocacy, a team focused on public policy issues impacting the communities we serve and promoting democracy within the philanthropic sector and beyond; 3) The Giving Practice, a national consulting team bringing customized solutions, deep regional relationships and national expertise to support organizations navigating philanthropy’s changing landscape; 4) An incubation platform for innovative philanthropic projects.

OUR CULTURE

  • We elevate the field of philanthropy by identifying opportunities, taking smart risks, challenging our assumptions, experimenting creatively, listening actively, engaging in conversations and learning through action and reflection.
  • Strong relationships power our work at every level; we build them with care and nurture them attentively.
  • We embrace and encourage diversity, equity and inclusion in our community and continuously seek to bring new perspectives into our organization and our networks.
  • We are a learning organization that invests in supporting the ongoing growth of our individuals, our team and our community.
  • We value high quality work that is grounded in deep mutual respect, healthy work/life balance, clear communication, humor and joy.

Position Overview

THE JOB
We are looking for a skillful people and operations leader to oversee our people-centered culture and operations. This pivotal role will ensure everyone on our team is engaged and high performing through strategic human resources and streamlined and efficient operations, including organizational development, talent acquisition and onboarding, employee learning and development, performance management, employee policies, IT infrastructure, facilities, and workplace norms and accommodations to optimize the work of employees. This role will work to continually develop a culture that reflects our commitment to racial equity and social justice, strong employee performance, and learning so employees feel a sense of belonging and can do their best work. This position will work closely with the management team and report to the CEO.

PRIMARY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Human Resources and Talent Management

  • Work with management team to promote and steward an adaptive people-centered culture focused on advancing racial equity and social justice, strong employee performance and engagement, and learning.
  • Oversee ongoing performance management systems; train and coach supervisors in supervisory skills, including giving/receiving feedback, coaching, performance reviews and work planning.
  • Lead all aspects of our people practice/human resources, including:
    • Ensure all practices and processes reflect our values of diversity, equity, and inclusion.
    • Serve as point person for HR compliance and stay up to date on relevant employment laws.
    • Maintain and ensure consistent implementation of employee handbook, personnel files and HRIS.
    • Recruit and onboard new team members and manage exits.
    • Oversee and continually develop employee compensation packages.
    • Serve as mediator in employee relations, as needed.
    • Oversee and implement employee events, such as trainings, retreats, enterprise-wide staff meetings, and annual holiday gathering.
    • Manage employee professional development; support employees with goal setting and development in their respective role.
  • Oversee annual staff committees.
  • Oversee PNW’s internal DEI committee and liaise between committee and management team.

Technology and Office Infrastructure

  • Oversee office infrastructure including both the physical and virtual workplace; ensure all employees have the hardware and software they need to work productively.
  • Partner with the operations manager to ensure maintenance and integrity of computer network and e-mail system, including outsourced IT support personnel.
  • Oversee the purchase and maintenance of new and/or upgraded equipment and ensure vendors of capital equipment are efficient and meeting our needs.
  • Ensure all operational systems and procedures are up-to-date and managed smoothly and professionally.
  • Apply a DEI lens in the selection and retention of all vendors.
  • Oversee and negotiate the office lease and any leasehold improvements; optimize workspace layout and accommodations.
  • Supervise an operations manager.

Special Projects

  • Provide support, if needed, with grant development, tracking and reporting.
  • Oversee the PNW job board and ensure it is meeting revenue goals.
  • Manage PNW’s current fiscal sponsorships and expand this line of business to new and relevant sponsorships.
  • Serve as project manager for special initiatives, as needed.

Candidate Qualifications:

  • Minimum 8 years of experience overseeing strategic human resource and/or operations within an organization.
  • Experience and knowledge in the philanthropy and/or nonprofit sector with a nuanced understanding of the issues in philanthropy, including but not limited to advancing racial equity and social justice, grantmaking, partnering with community, and public policy and advocacy.
  • Passionate about people with strong emotional intelligence and interpersonal skills, and the ability to develop relationships and trust with employees.
  • Experience leading diversity, equity, and inclusion work in an organization or a team.
  • Track record of developing and maintaining organizational systems and processes to optimize a workforce.
  • Knowledge and experience with organizational development, change management, and workforce planning.
  • Knowledge of Federal, State, and regional employment laws and comfort translating to employee policies.
  • Comfort managing conflict with thoughtful mediation skills.
  • Strong skills in project management with a high level of organization and strong attention to detail.
  • Highly skilled in facilitation, both in person and virtual.
  • Strong oral, written and online communication skills.
  • Comfort with ambiguity, flexibility, and adapting to shifting priorities and plans.
  • Experience and demonstrated ability to work effectively and collaboratively with a wide range of diverse stakeholders.
  • Inquisitive and curious orientation; flexible with a get-it-done spirit, and the ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment with many moving parts.

How To Apply

Application Contact: HR@philanthropynw.org

Application Instructions:
Please submit a resume and cover letter in ONE document to HR@philanthropynw.org and include YOUR NAME + “Director/Senior Director, People and Operations” in the subject line. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Please include in your cover letter the following: 1) Why are you uniquely qualified for this role? 2) Your desired salary requirement?

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