Director of People and Culture

ORGANIZATION:

Rainier Scholars is a comprehensive academic enrichment program that supports students of color over a 12-year journey – from 5th grade to college graduation. We seek to serve those who are most under-represented on college campuses and have the most significant number of barriers to achieving a college education: 85% qualify as low-income, 90% would be the first in their family to earn a college degree. Our program offers rigorous academics, leadership development and personalized support for scholars, providing access to educational pathways and myriad opportunities previously unimagined.

With a budget size of $10 million, a staff team of 50+ full-time employees and 675+ scholars and families whom we currently serve in Seattle and Tacoma, Rainier Scholars has established a positive brand for our unwavering commitment to education, proven success rate, and sustainable impact. We grow new generations of diverse college graduates, career professionals, and community leaders.

POSITION SUMMARY:

This role is vital in supporting the organization’s operations by aligning workforce management with business goals and fostering an inclusive, engaged, and value-driven organizational culture. The Director of People and Culture role combines strategic leadership with hands-on HR management in areas like talent acquisition, employee relations, performance management, compliance, and overall culture strategy. The Director serves as a cultural steward, leading initiatives reinforcing the mission, strengthening employee connections, and ensuring a compliant work environment. This role supervises the HR and Operations Manager, providing guidance and support in compliance with HR administration and labor law.

KEY DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

Strategic HR Leadership (30%)

• Partner with the COO and senior leaders to design and execute innovative HR strategies that fuel organizational growth and mission alignment.
• Lead initiatives to enhance workplace culture, champion diversity, equity, and inclusion, and foster employee engagement.
• Provide expertise in talent development, change management, workforce planning, and leadership development.

Performance Management (20%)

• Implement a robust performance management system emphasizing continuous feedback and professional growth.
• Mentor supervisors to deliver meaningful evaluations and support career development for their teams.
• Guide succession planning to build future leadership pipelines.
• Address employee relations issues, providing guidance and conflict resolution aligned with organizational values.

Compensation and Benefits (20%)

• Design and oversee competitive and equitable compensation and benefits policies that attract and retain top talent while ensuring financial sustainability.
• Regularly review salary bands and benefits to stay competitive within the nonprofit sector.

Talent Acquisition and Employee Retention (10%)

• Develop and implement strategies to attract, onboard, and retain high-performing, mission-aligned talent. In addition, conduct exit interviews for organizational improvements.
• Refine recruitment and onboarding processes to reflect organizational values and goals.
• Lead retention strategies that ensure Rainier Scholars remains an employer of choice in the nonprofit sector.

Employee Engagement and Wellness (10%)

• Build and execute initiatives to enhance employee engagement, satisfaction, and well-being.
• Facilitate staff development programs, leadership training, and wellness activities.
• Create opportunities for employee feedback and drive solutions that strengthen collaboration and morale.
• Ensure clear communication channels within the HR department and across the organization.

Compliance and Risk Management (10%)

• Ensure HR policies comply with federal, state, and local labor laws and align with organizational values.
• Proactively monitor legal and industry changes, adapting practices as needed.
• Generate regular reports on HR metrics and key performance indicators for leadership evaluation.

This job description will change as our team continues to grow and evolve. We are seeking a candidate that is excited to evolve with us as we scale and increase our impact.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Leadership Experience: 7+ years of progressive HR experience, including 3+ years in a leadership role within a mission-driven organization.
• Strategic Vision: Proven ability to design and implement people-focused strategies that align with organizational goals.
• DEI Commitment: Demonstrated ability to lead equity-focused initiatives and cultivate inclusive workplace cultures.
• HR Expertise: Strong knowledge of HR best practices, labor laws, and compliance requirements.
• Relationship Builder: Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to engage and inspire diverse teams.
• Results-Oriented: Track record of success in talent acquisition, performance management, and employee engagement.
• Education/Certification: Advanced degree or HR certification (SHRM-SCP, SPHR) preferred—proficiency in computer software including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and human resources software.
• Organizational Skills: Ability to complete multiple tasks concurrently on time with competing priorities and multiple deadlines.

COMPENSATION, BENEFITS, & WORKING ENVIRONMENT:

Compensation for this role is $125k - $140k annually, commensurate with experience and qualifications. This is a full-time, exempt position. Rainier Scholars offers employer-paid medical and dental benefits, employer-paid life and AD&D insurance, 403(b) retirement plan with employer match, generous vacation, all-staff holiday closure, personal days, sick leave, and holiday pay.

Rainier Scholars is a workplace committed to wellness and sustainability. This is a flexible, hybrid full-time role based out of our Seattle office, with 1-2 days/week working in-person. This role may require some work in the evenings and weekends. This schedule is subject to change as needs arise.

Priority consideration will be given to candidates who submit their applications by February 7, 2025. Position will remain open until filled.

Our work is rooted in ensuring that people from marginalized communities have the opportunity to thrive in education and careers that they are passionate about. Rainier Scholars is an equal opportunity employer committed to promoting an equitable and inclusive environment for our scholars, families, and staff. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and strongly encourage people of color, first-generation college graduates, and people from working-class backgrounds to apply.