The Nature Conservancy (TNC) is in the midst of its most significant and important evolution in a generation as we shift from focusing primarily on land and water protection to addressing global problems that affect people and nature around the world. This evolution requires a similar shift in our culture, leadership, and HR systems and processes. The Field Programs team is at the center of this shift, providing critical strategic HR tools, services, and advice to leaders across TNC. More specifically, HR Business Partners and the Field Programs team provide strategic guidance and support to managers and employees in the following areas: People Development and Career Pathways, Strategy Development, Change Management/ Organizational Design, Performance Improvement, Employee Relations & Risk Management, and HR Processes, Systems, and Tools. The Global Director, Human Resources Field Programs manages a team of HR Business Partners and generalists to provide excellent service, collaborate with colleagues across TNC, and accelerate the implementation of our organizational priorities.
The Director plays a key role in developing and implementing the people strategy and practices across the organization. The role provides leadership, management and coaching to HR Business Partners working at international, regional, functional and operating unit levels. The Director oversees a large network of operations staff across the organization to design and implement priority HR projects and initiatives. The Director leads high risk, unusual employee relations cases and sensitive internal situations, and serves as the HR liaison to the Diversity & Inclusion, Ethics & Compliance and HR Legal teams to develop & administer HR standards, Policies & Procedures. The Director also serves as the HR Business Partner to the Conservancy’s Executive Team, which includes up to 50 staff in the Office of the President and Chief Conservation Office. This position oversees a program area of 15 staff, directly supervises 8-10 HR Business Partners in different locations throughout the US, and manages an annual budget of $2.6M. The Director serves on the People Leadership Team and reports directly to the Chief People Officer.
Strategic Leadership
- Partner closely with the People Management Team, HR Business Partners, and Senior Leaders to identify annual priorities for the Field Programs team.
- Conduct performance analyses on existent strategies, procedures, and policies, identifying areas for improvement and developing actionable and sustainable solutions where needed. Lead the Annual People Survey team to analyze data, benchmark year on year and produce an Action Plan to address areas of concern.
Management and Team Building
- Manage a team of HR Business Partners and HR Generalists and support them to develop in their roles and careers and to implement their individual and collective priorities.
- Create and use consistent management processes, such as quarterly project reviews, team retreats, and 1:1 meetings.
- Develop the team’s acumen in change management, organizational design, and internal consulting to complement their HR expertise.
- Interact with the network of Directors of Finance and Operations (DFOs) to build their capabilities to implement HR strategies in their respective business units. Assess each unit against HR goals; perform gap analysis of HR skill sets, and develop/implement plans to build skills & field capacity.
- Design and conduct semi-annual trainings for Directors of Operations.
Executive Support
- Provide strategic HR support to the Office of the President and Chief Conservation Office. Build strong and lasting relationships with executive team members and senior leaders throughout the organization. Collaborate with these individuals to spearhead the development of HR field strategies.
Employee Relations and Compliance
- Work closely with the People Team, regional attorneys, and regional staff to develop successful work processes and ensure legal compliance abroad.
- Design standardized HR policies & procedures, methods of documenting performance, management of internal investigations, termination procedures, severance plans, and performance management guidelines across all operating units and functional areas. Lead the effort to strengthen compliance processes and manage risk associated with job eliminations, group lay-offs, and terminations for cause or other disciplinary actions and high-profile situations. Develop and maintain the Conservancy’s severance agreement template, review and approve all outgoing severance agreements. Oversee EEOC investigations and claims.
- Work closely with the Ethics and Compliance Office to ensure that all HR policies and procedures are regularly reviewed and continue to reflect both up-to-date employment laws and best practices.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
- 10 years related experience as a senior leader in HR. (Advanced degree in Human Resources Management or related discipline and SPHR certification may be required.)
- This role requires a strong understanding of the HR fundamentals & employment laws (i.e., FLSA, FMLA, EEO, HIPAA, ADA, ERISA, COBRA and other federal and state laws covering discrimination and equal opportunity employment).
- Experience at director level in Field Programs or Employee Relations. Strong client service orientation and ability to produce results in a high-performing environment.
- Strong business acumen and ability to work well across different functions in order to integrate HR and business strategies.
- Excellent interpersonal skills and strong competency in working effectively across differences of race, class, gender and other power dynamics in a global organization.
- Effective problem-solving ability.
- Strong project management skills and ability to manage complex projects with multiple stakeholders.
- Experience in managing and coordinating the work of 7-10 HR professionals.
- Experience in working directly with senior leadership on HR issues.
PREFERRED KNOWLEDGE/SKILLS:
- Bachelor’s degree and a minimum of 10 yrs. leadership experience in an HR AVP, deputy or senior director, or director role. Advanced degree in Human Resources Management or related discipline and SPHR certification preferred.
- Proven experience working in a global, multi-cultural organization with a decentralized business model. Nonprofit experience preferred.
- Multi-lingual, multi-cultural, cross cultural background and experience an asset.
- Superior management skills, including ability to motivate, coach/mentor, lead, set objectives and manage performance of a multi-disciplinary HR team. Ability to foster an environment of creativity and professional growth in a complex, multi-cultural environment.
- Strategic thinker with sound technical skills, analytical ability and good judgment.
- Exceptional listening skills and ability to relate to, influence, and coach employees of all levels in the organization.
- Excellent interpersonal communication (written and verbal English), negotiation and presentation skills. Ability to deal effectively, tactfully and honestly with all levels of management and staff.
- Courageous and persuasive; comfortable in advising senior leaders.
- Creative individual with high ethical standards and skilled in managing confidential information.
- Proficient in personal computing skills and electronics communications.
- Ability to travel up to 30%, both within the United States and internationally.
- Willingness to develop a working knowledge of relevant conservation issues and to make a commitment to Conservancy goals and methods.
COMPLEXITY/PROBLEM SOLVING:
- Highly diverse work involves participation in the formulation and evaluation of broad policies and/or long-term programs or decision making, which typically have broad organizational impact.
- Ability to design, implement and direct multiple projects, setting deadlines and ensuring program accountability.
- Ability to work in a decentralized, collaborative and non-hierarchical environment.
- Ability to think strategically, creating strategies and plans locally and organization wide.
- Ability to communicate a compelling and inspired vision or sense of core purpose.
- Cultivates the creative ideas of others, projecting potential outcomes. Experiments to find creative solutions.
DISCRETION/LATITUDE/DECISION-MAKING:
- Ability to make good decisions based on analysis, wisdom, experience, and judgment.
- Significant opportunity to act independently within broad program goals.
- Decisions may affect organization’s image, both public and with staff.
- Decisions may have maximum financial and/or legal impact on the organization.
RESPONSIBILITY/OVERSIGHT – FINANCIAL AND SUPERVISORY:
- Broad management and leadership responsibility. Recruit, retain and manage high quality and effective staff, including responsibility for performance management and staff development.
- Overall responsibility for ensuring that TNC complies with policies and other legal (EEOC, OFCCP, HIPAA, etc.) requirements.
- Will serve as leader for projects and coordinate the work of others.
- Responsibility to work within scope of program’s strategic goals.
COMMUNICATIONS/INTERPERSONAL CONTACTS:
- Communicates professionally, effectively, diplomatically, honestly and sensitively with a wide variety of management and staff of different cultures for the purpose of developing, negotiating and/or implementing programs and projects.
- Commands attention, can change tactics midstream, and manage group processes during presentations or discussions.
- Ability to analyze available information for the purpose of coordinating efforts, planning and implementing projects.
- Ability to consistently demonstrate professional, positive and approachable attitude/demeanor. Discretion and sensitivity in handling confidential information.
- Ability to work effectively with and through others in a geographically dispersed, multicultural organization.
- Knowledge of cultural differences and ability to practice cultural sensitivity in a work environment.
The Nature Conservancy offers competitive compensation, 401k or savings-plan matching for eligible employees, excellent benefits, flexible work policies and a collaborative work environment. We also provide professional development opportunities and promote from within. As a result, you will find a culture that supports and inspires conservation achievement and personal development, both within the workplace and beyond.