Director of People and Culture

Job Description

American Civil Liberties Union of Colorado (ACLU-CO) seeks to hire an experienced human resources professional for a newly created position – Director of People and Culture. We are looking for an emotionally intelligent and dynamic team player with expertise in:

• Performance management and professional development
• Employee relations and engagement
• Equity, diversity, inclusion, and belonging
• HR policy and procedure development and implementation
• Benefits administration and compliance

The Director of People and Culture will lead on office culture practices and provide expertise and support in the areas of Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging (EDIB), Performance Management, Employee Relations and Engagement, Policy and Procedure Development, and HR Compliance. This position reports to the Deputy Director and will work out of the organization’s office in Denver, CO.

The Director of People and Culture works across the organization to lead, alongside the senior leadership team, and to provide a vision for the ACLU-CO human resources program. This position is the organization’s first dedicated HR role. As such, the position is primarily responsible for codifying an HR infrastructure and introducing best practices that allow the organization to deliver people-centered processes regarding HR administration, recruitment and onboarding, employee relations and retention, training and professional development, workplace culture practices, and internship and fellowship programs

The ideal candidate will be ready to hit the ground running and execute their duties with a high degree of emotional intelligence, confidentiality, and collaboration and a proven ability to build and sustain relationships. The Director for People and Culture is a true ‘people person’ with an intense passion for supporting great teams and helping them thrive.

American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) is the nation’s foremost defender of constitutional rights and civil liberties. ACLU of Colorado, the Colorado affiliate of the ACLU, is the state’s guardian of freedom, working in the courts, in the legislature, and in communities across the state to protect and advance civil rights and civil liberties for all. Founded in 1952, ACLU of Colorado is a strong, growing organization with thousands of members, supporters, and activists. For more information about the work of the ACLU of Colorado and the civil rights and civil liberties principles we uphold, please visit our website at www.aclu-co.org.

Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion

ACLU of Colorado is an equal opportunity employer. We value a diverse workforce and promote an inclusive culture. We believe that having a board, staff, and volunteer base with diverse personal and professional backgrounds enhances our ability to meet our mission and creates an environment where all members of our community can thrive. We strongly encourage applications from people of color, immigrants, women, people with disabilities, members of the LGBTQ community, those who have been formerly incarcerated, and other members of underrepresented and marginalized groups.

ACLU of Colorado does not discriminate on the basis of race, ethnicity, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, national origin, marital status, citizenship status, disability, veteran status, and record of arrest or conviction. We are committed to providing a work environment free from discrimination and harassment.

Key Responsibilities Recruitment and Hiring

• Oversee recruitment and hiring process; build on current processes to attract quality diverse candidates at every level
• Develop talent pipelines with higher education and community partners
• Build and maintain systems to track and communicate with candidates
• Implement and continually improve employee onboarding and new hire training process, ensuring that employees feel welcomed, informed about their benefits and organization processes, and are prepared to excel in their roles
• Oversee employee offboarding; participate in the exit interview process
• Build comprehensive internship and fellowship program
• Oversee and monitor independent contractor process

Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging

• Work with staff at all levels to develop and implement strategies to increase equity, diversity, inclusion, and belonging within the organization
• Partner with staff at all levels to implement strategies for employee engagement and retention
• Help ensure that ACLU-CO is an equitable and inclusive workplace where all employees feel valued and can thrive through training, coaching, and overall strategy and practice

Performance Management and Professional Development

• Refine and manage performance review process
• Refine and manage professional development program; collaborate on suggestions for individual training that will enhance growth and development
• Participate in coaching, counseling, and advising management and staff to ensure resolution of employment related matters
• Prepare and analyze HR metrics and provide reports that support decision making in specified areas
• Create and /or update policies, procedures, and guidelines, as needed
• Function as liaison to internal committees and working groups

Benefits Administration and Development

• Along with Staff Accountant, manage employee benefits program
• Implement new and enhance existing staff recognition and reward programs
• Maintain knowledge of industry trends and employment legislation and regulations; ensure adherence to federal, state, and local legal requirements, advise management on needed actions to remain compliant
• Keep abreast of industry knowledge and trends by participating in conferences and educational opportunities, reading professional publications, maintaining professional networks, and participating in professional organizations

Qualifications:

• Minimum of five years of experience in human resources field
• Experience and demonstrable ability to work closely and productively with people from various racial, ethnic, socioeconomic, educational, religious, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or expression, and generational backgrounds
• Experience with or willingness to learn about harm reduction strategies, trauma-informed practices, and restorative justice
• Experience with mediation and facilitation
• Demonstrable understanding of issues affecting constituencies of the ACLU-CO, including, but not limited to, anti-Blackness, structural racism, gender policing, and issues affecting immigrant communities
• An advanced ability to maintain absolute confidentiality, exercise sound independent judgment, and exhibit high levels of integrity and discretion
• An ability to establish credibility and be decisive while maintaining positive employee relationships in service to the mission
• Demonstrated knowledge and understanding of employment law and compliance requirements and HR best practices
• Demonstrated experience developing and implementing HR policies and programs; SHRM, HRCI, or similar HR certification preferred, but not required
• Demonstrated experience coaching and advising management and staff in an HR capacity
• Thorough understanding of HR policies and procedures, and knowledge of Federal and State regulations, including FLSA, FMLA, COBRA, ADA, HIPAA, and EEO laws and regulations
• Familiarity with all aspects of HR, including compensation, recruitment, benefits, performance management, professional development, training, etc.
• Excellent interpersonal, written and verbal communication skills are essential
• Strong organizational and analytical skills
• Ability to lead meetings and presentations, and ability to interface with all levels of staff with tact and diplomacy
• Team player who inspires collaboration, lifts up the work of others, and maintains balance and perspective with patience and a sense of humor
• Ability to advocate for both staff and management
• Highly proactive style of work, with a demonstrated track record of developing innovative approaches
• Proficiency with Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint required
• Commitment to civil rights and civil liberties principles and the mission and goals of the ACLU

Compensation and Benefits:

Salary range is $75,000-$80,000, and within pay scale parameters of the nationwide ACLU and the Denver area nonprofit sector. Benefits include medical and dental insurance, life and long-term disability insurance, 401k contribution, and paid vacation and holidays.

Due to risks from COVID-19, the ACLU of Colorado closed its office and implemented a mandatory work-from-home policy beginning on March 16, 2020. The work-from-home policy currently remains in effect. Some of our work nevertheless requires some staff members to go to office on occasion, and we have taken precautionary measures to ensure the safety of staff while in the office. While the work-from-home policy remains in effect, the Director of People and Culture would be expected to conduct the vast majority of their duties from home, but there may also be some responsibilities that could necessitate limited office visits. We anticipate that once it is safe to lift the work-from-home policy, the Director of People and Culture, like most ACLU-CO staff, will work partially in-office and partially from home.

To Apply:

Send a cover letter, resume, and references in an email with “Director of People and Culture, ACLU of Colorado” in the subject line to [email protected]. No phone calls please.

Applications will be accepted until the position is filled.

After September 1 ^st , please check the ACLU of Colorado website: https://aclu-co.org/about-us/work-aclu/ for position status.

ACLU of Colorado is an equal opportunity employer. We value an equitable and inclusive workforce and culture and are continuously working toward becoming and remaining an anti-racist, equitable organization. ACLU of Colorado encourages applications from all qualified individuals without regard to race, ethnicity, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, national origin, marital status, citizenship status, disability, veteran status, and record of arrest or conviction. The ACLU encourages candidates from non-dominant communities to apply.

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