2024-183 Vice President, People and Culture

ABOUT OCEAN CONSERVANCY 

Ocean Conservancy works to protect our ocean from today’s greatest global challenges. Together with our partners, we create evidence-based solutions for a healthy ocean and the wildlife and communities that depend on it. 
  
POSITION SUMMARY 

Ocean Conservancy seeks an experienced people-centric, forward-thinking human resources executive with demonstrated leadership and expertise in organizational development and change management. The Vice President enhances and implements the comprehensive People and Culture strategy that continues to build out the People and Culture infrastructure, refining human resources policies, practices and processes while also strengthening our organizational culture and commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). The Vice President is responsible for ensuring consistency in policies and efficient systems in all human resources areas, including recruiting, learning and development, performance management, compensation, benefits, legal compliance, and DEI. The Vice President is a trusted advocate for employees and strategic partner with leadership who inspires and cultivates a welcoming employee experience that supports our employees’ ability to thrive and reflects our social norms while supporting the advancement of the OC mission. This leader plays a critical role in advancing Ocean Conservancy’s commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion by developing and shaping the strategic vision to align with Ocean Conservancy’s goals and objectives.  

The ideal candidate brings a high level of emotional intelligence with a collaborative, constructive and results-oriented leadership style. They are flexible and creative in addressing challenges and identifying solutions. The Vice President brings exceptional communication skills and an advanced understanding on supporting HR through technology. 

As a member of the Executive team, the Vice President, People and Culture works closely with other Executive team members to provide organizational leadership and strategic direction while ensuring alignment and integration of Ocean Conservancy’s programs and acts as a resource for other Vice Presidents and departments. The position is based in Washington, D.C. with occasional travel to regional offices, and leads a small team of experienced people and culture professionals.  
 
PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES 

Vision and Strategy

• Serves as a thought partner and strategic leader to the executive leadership team in addressing human resources and employee-related matters. 
• Positions Ocean Conservancy as a “best place to work” by strategizing with the Chief Brand and Communications Officer on an employer brand strategy and corresponding implementation plan. 
• Develops, implements, and leads the long-term strategy focused on internal equity, diversity and inclusion initiatives with clear, actionable, and sustainable goals for the institution. 

Managing Teams and Budgets

• Leads a team of people and culture professionals and provides ongoing coaching and development while creating and promoting a positive, collaborative, and inclusive work environment. 
• Oversees the development and execution of effective work plans, budgets and revenue projections to ensure success. 

Collaborative Spirit

• Partners with the Executive Team to build a collaborative, healthy and sustainable culture. 
• Develops, socializes and implements organizational development and change management initiatives. 
• Maintains the role of an institutional leader in cultivating talent.

Implementation and Impact

• Implements and continues to evolve the People and Culture processes and programs with best practices in recruiting, learning and development, performance management, compensation, benefits, legal compliance and DEI. 
• Defines development and learning paths for staff. 
• Reviews, assesses, and strengthens Ocean Conservancy’s human resources policies, systems and procedures to consistently reflect the institution’s strategy, values, culture and commitment to justice, equity, diversity and inclusion.  
• Continually assesses the competitiveness of all programs and practices against the relevant comparable organizations and industries. 
• Defines, measures and reports clear metrics to assess demographics and equity, programs, processes, benefits offerings and employee experience.  

REQUIRED SKILLS/QUALIFICATIONS/EXPERIENCE 

• 15 or more years of professional human resources experience with significant depth in the various functional disciplines of human resources, including eight or more years of demonstrated success in an executive human resources leadership role. Nonprofit experience a plus.
• Strong technical experience with the tools and resources supporting the human resource’s function and best practice understanding in human resources; in-depth knowledge of employment laws and regulations.  
• Skilled in human resources data analytics and possess a working knowledge of human resources information systems and current human resources trends.  
• Exceptional cultural competency and interpersonal communication skills. 
• Proven skills in facilitation, training, conflict resolution and equity-informed mediation skills. 
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills in English.  
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and exercise extreme discretion. 
• Experience in defining and leading organizational development and change management initiatives successfully.  
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively with diverse teams, collaborate across disciplines and with a variety of stakeholders.  
• Trusted and respected people leader with experience engaging and motivating individuals and teams to success; demonstrates collaborative problem-solving and coaching skills, patience, and an inclusive leader mindset. 
• Flexible leader with a strong understanding of and commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion and with demonstrated history of building diverse, inclusive, and engaged teams, and managing individuals with diverse identities.  
• Proven record developing and implementing diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives. 
• A strategic thinker who can bring the vision, creativity, energy, discipline, and commitment needed to enhance Ocean Conservancy’s culture. 
• Outstanding relationship builder with a track record of building authentic relationships with team members at all levels of an organization. 

EDUCATION/TRAINING 

• Bachelor’s degree preferred or equivalent relevant work experience. Master’s degree is a plus. 

COMPENSATION

Ocean Conservancy is committed to equity in its pay practices and posts expected salary ranges for each of its positions. Compensation will be commensurate with the candidate’s specialty skills, years of experience, location, and unique background. The expected salary range is $180,565 to $225,653. We would welcome the opportunity to connect with potential candidates whose salary requirements may be outside of the expected range.

TO APPLY

If you think you’d be a great fit for the job and are interested in joining Ocean Conservancy’s team, please apply here.

HYBRID WORK ENVIRONMENT

Ocean Conservancy embraces a hybrid work environment, which allows our staff the flexibility to work virtually and in-person while building strong connections across the institution.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Ocean Conservancy provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.

This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.

We encourage applicants who have a diverse level and range of relevant skills and experiences to apply. A 100% match is not required. We want to support employees’ career growth and in return, our employees help Ocean Conservancy grow into a stronger, more inclusive organization.