Manager, People & Culture

ABOUT OUR ORGANIZATION

For over a decade, STEM From Dance (SFD) has been committed to empowering girls of color with the skills, experiences, and confidence to pursue careers in STEM — all through the power of dance. Our mission is rooted in addressing the systemic underrepresentation of women of color in STEM fields. Through our innovative programs and steadfast community support, girls cultivate their creativity, fortify their confidence, and leverage technology to pioneer bold innovations.

Our vision is ambitious: to impact the lives of one million girls, guiding them towards thriving careers in STEM. Already on the path to national and global recognition, SFD is at the forefront of integrating dance with STEM education, driving the charge toward greater representation of women of color in STEM. We envision a future where the STEM landscape is diverse, equitable, and inclusive, where women of color not only participate but lead and innovate.

ABOUT THE ROLE

The Manager, People & Culture plays a pivotal role in advancing a thriving, inclusive, and high-performing workplace culture at STEM From Dance. Reporting directly to the Director of Finance & Operations, this position leads the organization’s human resources function including talent acquisition, performance management, HR operations, compliance, and team culture initiatives. The ideal candidate is a people-first HR leader who is systems-savvy, detail-oriented, and passionate about building sustainable people processes that support organizational growth.

WHAT YOU’ll DO

Key responsibilities will include:

Human Resources Operations, Office Administration & Compliance – 30%

• You will lead and optimize all HR administrative systems including HRIS (e.g., Gusto, Justworks, Lattice, Linkedin Recruiter, Workable).
• You will ensure compliance with New York employment law and HR best practices.
• You will maintain accurate employee records and manage onboarding/offboarding workflows.
• You will oversee and improve payroll, benefits administration, and team member lifecycle documentation.
• You will track key HR metrics to inform decision-making and support a data-driven HR function.
• You will coordinate logistics for our Brooklyn-based office, including supplies and systems during on-site retreats or team gatherings.

Talent Acquisition & Recruitment – 30%

• You will own full-cycle recruitment for both Core Team (full-time) and part-time/seasonal staff.
• You will collaborate with hiring managers to develop job descriptions, interview plans, and candidate evaluations.
• You will coordinate and lead external HR contractors and recruiting partners during peak hiring season (April–June).
• You will cultivate a diverse talent pipeline aligned with organizational values and needs.

Performance Management & Team Development – 20%

• You will administer performance review cycles using platforms like Lattice, and ensure consistent feedback loops.
• You will support managers with performance coaching tools, goal setting, and development plans.
• You will identify opportunities for team member learning, growth, and advancement.
• You will develop and implement strategies to enhance team member engagement and retention.

Team Culture & Retreat Planning – 15%

• You will help plan and execute annual in-person staff retreats, including logistics, agenda design, and team-building activities.
• You will curate staff experiences that foster connection, collaboration, and a strong team identity.
• You will partner with CFOO to promote and maintain a values-aligned, inclusive organizational culture.

People & Culture Strategy and Projects – 5%

• You will contribute to organization-wide strategic planning by bringing a people-first lens to discussions.
• You will identify and lead special projects that support the long-term growth and evolution of the People & Culture function.

WHO YOU ARE

To fulfill these responsibilities, you have the following:

• You are deeply aligned with STEM From Dance's mission and values, demonstrating a genuine passion for empowering girls of color in STEM.
• You have excellent writing and communication skills, with the ability to maintain confidentiality.
• You are a human resources professional with a proven track record of overseeing or coordinating multiple elements of human resource management (payroll, onboarding, offboarding, EEOC claims, etc.).
• You have at least 4–6 years of progressive HR experience. A SHRM-CP, PHR, or similar certification is strongly preferred.
• You have knowledge of New York State labor law and employment best practices
• You bring an equity lens to your HR work, recognizing the importance of identity, access, and justice in people systems.
• You have a growth mindset, delivering measurable outcomes through creativity and data-driven decision-making.
• You embody STEM From Dance’s work philosophy.
• Bachelor’s degree in nonprofit management, human resources management, social work, or a related field.