Director, People and Culture

World Central Kitchen, Inc. (WCK) seeks a talented and committed Director, People and Culture to provide leadership for our entire global team. Part of a growing People team, the successful candidate must be a true expert in people relations and culture building management, experienced in implementing strategic plans that build proactive strategies, solutions, and guidelines that ensure the people's experience and leadership effectiveness are at its peak.

This is an exciting opportunity for an individual with a strong background in people relations, performance, and talent development, who also has experience in supporting teams in challenging, fast-paced, and ever-changing environments. The ideal candidate should have a passion for guiding and leading innovative and socially responsible people practices, alongside excellent communication and interpersonal skills. They will need to oversee sensitive and confidential information with utmost discretion while fostering a positive, high-performance culture. Experience in sectors such as military, emergency response, culinary, humanitarian, or event management, where adaptability and resilience are key, is highly desirable. This role will focus on ensuring that teams are equipped to navigate complex and evolving operational demands.

This new role will report to the Chief People Officer (CPO) and work in concert with the People team and senior leaders across our growing global organization. This role requires a sincere commitment to WCK’s mission and the expertise and empathy to provide effective leadership while promoting and enabling a fair and inclusive workplace.

This position is for a full-time exempt hybrid role, located in Washington DC. The role will require onsite presence at our headquarters office for a minimum of 3 days per week.

Key Duties & Responsibilities: 

• Provide expert-level guidance, advice, and support to People colleagues, executives, and people managers across WCK.
• Foster a culture of inclusion and drive engagement through the design and implementation of innovative and impactful initiatives as a trusted adviser with all levels of leadership in providing continuous training and development regarding how to encourage positive staff interactions and communication.
• Innovate and execute the annual cycle of goal setting, career and development planning, ongoing performance check-ins, and mid-year and year-end performance assessments and our feedback.
• Design and deliver learning and development programs and initiatives, including leadership development programs, to build a pipeline of effective leaders at all levels of the organization, fostering a culture of continuous learning and development.
• Collaborate with leadership to champion organizational change, workforce planning, and succession planning.
• Utilize data-driven insights and analytics to assess talent trends, identify areas for improvement, and make data-informed decisions to optimize talent management programs and processes.
• Champion diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives and best practices, integrating DEI principles into all aspects of talent management to foster a diverse and inclusive workplace.
• Lead change management efforts related to talent management initiatives, ensuring effective communication, stakeholder engagement, and organizational readiness for change.

Other Duties: This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive list of activities, duties, or responsibilities for the position. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice. All positions are required to perform any additional tasks assigned by the supervisor.

Requirements

• Minimum of 8-10 years of People experience required in a global organization, demonstrating a track record of progression.
• Proven expertise in successfully establishing and expanding culture-building initiatives globally.
• Demonstrated strong knowledge of global People practices, employment laws, and regulations.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to maintain confidentiality and sensitivity.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to gather and evaluate information from various sources.
• Strategic mindset with the ability to identify global people trends and propose innovative solutions and optimize existing systems.
• Ability to multitask and prioritize in a fast-paced and dynamic environment.
• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Human Resources or a related field. SPHR, SHRM-SCP certified preferred.
• A roll-up-your-sleeves, can-do attitude to do what it takes to get the job done.
• Valid passport and the ability to travel globally at short notice.
• Valid US employment authorization.

Preferred candidates will be multilingual, have a profound comprehension of global People practices, experience as a Senior People Business Partner, exceptional leadership abilities, and the capacity to navigate intricate organizational structures.

Application & Cover Letter
This application requires a cover letter that explains your interest in this position and in working for WCK. Applications without a letter will not be considered.

References and Background Checks
To help ensure the safety of our communities and our teams, our selection process will include reference and background checks, subject to any legal or regulatory requirements.

Equal Opportunity
WCK is an equal opportunity employer committed to inclusion and diversity and to ensure equal opportunity for all applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, or other protected characteristics.

Applicants must be authorized to work for any employer in the United States. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of employment at this time.

E-Verify
For US based employment, WCK participates in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S. Employers can only use E-Verify once you have accepted a job offer and completed the Form I-9. Please view the E-Verify posters here with important information.

Para empleados en los EEUU, WCK participa en E-Verify y proporcionará al gobierno federal la información de su Formulario I-9 para confirmar que usted está autorizado para trabajar en los EE.UU.. Los empleadores sólo pueden utilizar E-Verify una vez que usted haya aceptado una oferta de trabajo y completado el Formulario I-9. Haz clic aquí para ver los carteles de E-Verify con información importante.

No recruiters or agencies, please.

Benefits

WCK offers competitive compensation and great benefits including:

• Zero premium medical, dental, and vision plans including for dependents within 30 days
• 403(b) retirement account with 50% match up to 8% of employee salary deferrals within 30 days
• 100% employer-sponsored group life and disability insurance within 30 days
• Responsible Paid Time Off which includes vacation, sick, and personal leave plus paid holidays
• Growth Opportunities
• Employee Assistance Programs
• Annual salary reviews and other benefits as detailed in the Personnel Manual

Salary Range: $120,000 - $145,000 USD

Why Join Us?

Innovative Environment: Be part of a forward-thinking team that values creativity and innovation.

Global Impact: Your work will have a direct impact on building a diverse and talented global team.

Professional Growth: Opportunities for continuous learning and career development.

Dynamic Team: Work with a supportive and enthusiastic team that values collaboration and fun.

If you’re ready to bring your unique talents to a role that’s as challenging as it is rewarding, we’d love to hear from you. Apply today and let’s build the future of World Central Kitchen together!

WCK is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.

Join us in being a part of WCK's global talent journey!