Director of People & Culture

What We’re Looking For: Position Overview

IMPACT STATEMENT | How does this position advance our vision and mission?

Equality Ohio is looking for our first Director of People & Culture (DoPC), a newly created position to deepen our investment in our people - both staff and Board - and support our ongoing internal evolutions to better reflect our values of equity, racial justice, and inclusion. 

The person in this new role will have a unique opportunity to shape, design, and deploy innovative, equity-focused, and wide-scale internal shifts. Our organization is in the midst of two foundational transitions: the establishment in 2023 of our staff bargaining unit, a member of the Chicago & Midwest Regional Joint Board of Workers United, and an ongoing executive leadership transition. Our board has secured a team of seasoned consultants to simultaneously recruit our next visionary, dynamic, and values-aligned leader; lead our day-to-day operations; and conduct deep assessments of our internal culture, structures, and programmatic priorities. The assessments have identified the need to invest deeply in our organization by creating and recruiting a position dedicated to our people, infrastructure, and operations.

The DoPC will lead a wide range of core organizational planning and operational functions, including (1) creating and implementing organizational and change management strategies, staffing plans, and internal initiatives; (2) nurturing an inclusive, equity-focused organizational culture; (3) overseeing financial management and budgeting operations; and, (4) designing and implementing human resource systems, policies, and procedures that are rooted in and informed by EO’s vision and mission, values, and collective bargaining agreement. 

This full-time, exempt position will report to our Interim Executive Director until our permanent leader is selected (anticipated Late Summer 2024). The DoPC will collaborate closely with our incoming Executive Director, serve as a member of our senior leadership team, participate as a member of our newly established staff JEDI (Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion) committee, and be a critical partner at our Labor Management Committee. Additionally, this position will overseethe Board of Directors support efforts and staff the Board Finance & Administration and Governance Committees. 

Position Details

SUPERVISOR | Executive Director

SALARY RANGE | $85,000-90,000

CLASSIFICATION | Full-Time Exempt 

LOCATION | Ohio-based, in-state location is flexible. We have physical offices in Columbus and Cleveland, and we are a hybrid remote / in-person work environment.

START DATE | September 2024

DUTIES | What are the activities, responsibilities, and deliverables of this position?

• Our People & Culture
• Administer human resources policies and procedures and the collective bargaining agreement (CBA) in a manner that will maintain and improve EO’s organizational culture.
• In consultation with the Executive Director, set staffing and compensation plans and employee retention goals. 
• Develop and implement an innovative talent acquisition vision, establishing the best recruitment practices and building a pipeline of talent for future roles with a focus on diversity.
• Implement and continue to improve EO’s new standard hiring, onboarding, and termination processes.
• Update and maintain EO’s employee handbook, which needs a full-scale refresh to incorporate the CBA and ensure the infusion of current best practices. 
• Create new and improve existing leave request protocols and other benefits established in the CBA.
• Serve as a management representative on EO’s Labor Management Committee where management and our bargaining unit partner to foster a healthy workplace and ensure compliance with our collective bargaining agreement.
• Support EO’s senior leadership team in employing staff management best practices, navigating hiring processes, onboarding and offboarding staff, and conducting annual performance reviews.
• Design and implement new staff performance review processes as outlined in the CBA and in consultation with the Executive Director.
• Serve as a member of EO’s newly established cross-departmental Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (JEDI) Committee, which fosters a culture of JEDI at Equality Ohio for current and future staff.
• Craft and launch an integrated culture and engagement strategy that aligns all staff with the vision and strategic direction of the organization and ensures EO is a high-performing, successful workplace deeply rooted in our values and purpose.
• Work collaboratively with the senior leadership team and departments to implement and integrate culture initiatives into everyday operations.
• Serve as HR contact for all employees; proactively engage employees to improve working relationships, build morale, and increase productivity and retention.
• Develop and implement a plan for transparent communication with employees to keep them informed of organizational benefits, events, successes, and challenges.
• Manage and resolve complex employee relations issues; when necessary, conduct effective, thorough, and objective investigations.
• Oversee the Director of Finance & Special Projects in their work to provide logistical support to the Board of Directors, including:
• Setting the board meeting and committee meeting schedules.
• Coordinating logistical planning for all in-person board meetings and retreats. 
• Maintaining appropriate access to board records and working documents. 
• Staff the Board Finance & Administration and Governance Committees and participate in quarterly board meetings as needed. 
• Our Infrastructure & Operations

• Design and implement annual budgeting processes to ensure EO’s budgets are accurate, realistic, and reflect our organizational priorities. This work will also include:
• Creating department-specific budgets.
• Coordinating with the Board Finance & Admin Committee to identify budgetary and financial management goals.
• Participating in the budget rollout to the Boards of Directors in preparation for formal adoption.
• Coordinating with the development team and finance staff to prepare income projections.
• Ensuring department leads and relevant team members understand their department budgets and, in partnership with the Development Team, the related departmental funding streams.
• Assisting the Development Department in preparing budget documents for grant funders as needed.
• Ensure EO and our team have the tools, resources, and shared usage agreements to effectively coordinate our work.
• Assess and recommend improvements to standardize, unify, and improve our internal communications processes, expectations, and systems.
• Continue ongoing efforts to reorganize and establish new protocols for file retention, Google Drive organization, and file naming conventions.
• Oversee the selection of and transition to a new online HR platform to better meet the needs of our evolving team.
• Oversee the Director of Finance & Special Projects in their work to:
• Supervise the Finance and Administration Assistant.
• Perform billing and financial management functions.
• Ensure timely and accurate preparation of financial reports.
• Conduct annual financial audits.
• Secure and deploy employee benefits as outlined in the CBA and employee handbook. 

• Shared Organization Responsibilities
• Upholding and advancing Equality Ohio’s vision, mission, and values. 
• Participation in internal staff meetings, including weekly TouchPoints, monthly staff meetings, equity trainings, and periodic retreats and strategic planning sessions.
• Adapting to and utilizing internal communications and document retention protocols and platforms.
• Providing content and expertise to inform grant proposals, reports, and funder communications as needed.
• Learning and using the Every Action system as needed.

Requirements

Who We’re Looking For: Qualifications, Skills, Profile, & Work Environment

QUALIFICATIONS | What backgrounds, skills, and experiences are we looking for?

Candidates are required to be/have:

• Unwavering commitment to addressing the needs and respecting the lived experiences of diverse LGBTQ+ Ohioans
• Commitment to Equality Ohio’s vision, mission, and values, with a particular focus on racial justice
• Awareness of the issue priorities, policy battles, and experiences of LGBTQ+ Ohioans
• Minimum five (5) years of HR generalist experience, with extensive exposure to benefits administration, employee relations, performance management, recruitment, online HR platforms, training and development, and experience consulting and educating senior management on HR-related topics
• Minimum of three (3) years of direct supervisory/personnel management experience       
• Willingness to jump into complex internal dynamics with a fresh, empathetic, and collaborative approach to problem-solving
• Demonstrated commitment to advancing and embedding equity and inclusion within programs, practices, and policies
• Flexible in developing and managing systems in a growing organization 
• Ability to both build from scratch and refine / refocus / improve pre-existing systems, structures, policies, and protocols
• Familiarity with strategic planning, including compensation practices, data analysis, organizational diagnosis, and development
• Experience designing, developing, and supporting organization-wide talent management programs that cover performance management, talent development, coaching, succession planning, data analytics, and relationship management.
• Working knowledge of federal, state, and local laws and regulations affecting employer practices and compliance requirements
• Experience in revising or developing new HR policies and procedures to meet changing organizational needs and to support the desired organizational culture 
• Understanding of current HR trends in compensation, benefits, and performance evaluation frameworks
• Resourceful and capable of finding creative solutions - thinking beyond current systems and approaches while recognizing the impact of decisions and actions on the entire organization
• Experience building inclusive and engaged workplaces and cultural awareness and sensitivity with a lens on queer, racial, and gender equity
• Conflict resolution skills, the ability to manage difficult situations confidently and calmly, and the ability to coach and counsel management and employees
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to partner effectively with various internal and external stakeholders
• Strong project management skills and the ability to balance competing and disparate priorities and deadlines
• Budget development and resource management experience
• Expert  implementer and consensus builder, especially when introducing new systems and tools into an organization
• Excellent oral and written communication skills 
• Excels in collaborating and working in a team environment 
• Working knowledge of various online collaboration tools and file storage systems
• Self-starter, able to work independently, and enjoys crafting and implementing new initiatives
• The flexibility, humor, and humility to thrive in a fast-paced hybrid remote and in-person environment.
• Recognizes a unionized staff as an equalizer and not as a point of tension

We prefer but do not require the following qualifications and skills:

• Direct experience working at an LGBTQ+ or trans-focused movement organization, especially experience implementing cultural and benefits management that recognizes the unique needs of the LGBTQ+ community
• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related field
• SHRM-SCP, PHR, or SPHR certification
• Demonstrated success implementing new HR-related technology across an organization
• An understanding that the process of changing hearts and minds is not overnight or immediate, which is a core element of our theory of change
• Experience in managing organizational change, especially during periods of growth or transition and/or in a fully remote environment.
• Specific expertise in our key online collaboration platforms, including GSuite and Google Drive, Zoom, Slack, Signal, and Every Action
• Spanish speaker

Equity Commitment

Studies have shown that women, nonbinary folks, and People of Color are less likely to apply for jobs unless they believe they meet every single one of the qualifications as described in a job description. We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive organization and are most interested in finding the best candidate for the job. That candidate may be one who comes from a background less traditional to our field of work, and that’s okay. We strongly encourage you to apply, even if you don't believe you meet all the qualifications described.

People of color, LGBTQ+ people, and those with gender-expansive identities are strongly encouraged to apply. 

Equality Ohio does not discriminate on any basis, including sex, age, class, gender identity or expression, ethnicity, ancestry, military status, genetic information, marital status, physical or mental ability or disability, race, religion, sexual orientation; access to public benefits and/or housing voucher assistance; other sources of income that do not conflict with the fundamental values or needs of the organization; veteran status; criminal record provided the past convictions do not impact funding, the organization’s values and mission, the employee’s ability to perform their core job duties, and licensing requirements; or any other characteristic protected by law.

Benefits

• Salary Range: $85,000-90,000
• Benefit Package
• Generous time off package, including four (4) weeks combined paid time off (vacation, sick, etc.), ten (10) paid holidays, fifteen (15) days of paid organizational shutdown breaks
• Health and vision insurance with minimal employee contribution ($105 per month + $105 per month for optional family coverage)
• Employee-paid dental insurance
• Paid Family Leave and sabbatical opportunities based on length of service 
• FSA with employer $25 per month contribution
• Employer-paid life insurance 
• Access to optional employee-paid insurance coverage, including long-term disability coverage.
• 403-B plan with 1% employer matching
• Digital security services. 
• Multiple stipend opportunities, including Bring Your Own Device, cell phone, internet, and professional development stipends.