Director of Human Resources

About the Eames Institute

The Eames Institute of Infinite Curiosity is a nonprofit public charity dedicated to advancing the dynamic legacy of 20th-century designers Ray and Charles Eames. By sharing the things the Eameses made and loved, along with their joyful and rigorous approach to life and work, we seek to inspire creative problem-solving that positively shapes our world.

With our vast collections, digital and print offerings, an extensive program of events, and the Eames Ranch, we aim to demonstrate the enduring value of the Eameses’ philosophy and invite people to explore their curiosity, ask questions, and implement creative solutions to the challenges of today.

About the Role

The Director of Human Resources (HR) will play a pivotal role in supporting the growth and sustainability of a nonprofit arts and education organization as it transitions from its startup phase into a period of strategic expansion. The role is responsible for building and managing the organization’s human resources infrastructure, ensuring it fosters a supportive, creative, and inclusive work environment. The Director of HR will oversee talent acquisition, employee engagement, compliance, and organizational development while aligning HR practices with the organization’s mission, values, and goals.

In this role, you will…

Strategic HR Leadership

• Develop and implement an HR and recruiting strategy that supports organizational growth and aligns with the mission and values.
• Act as a trusted advisor to the Executive team and managers across the organization on HR best practices
• Guide and mentor the HR Coordinator to deliver excellence across the board for the HR function, including high standards in compliance, administration, and supporting a stellar employee experience.
• In collaboration with team members in Operations, contribute to workforce planning, including the execution of goal-setting processes and identifying staffing needs.
• Design and manage processes across the employee lifecycle to attract and retain top talent passionate about arts, culture, and design.

Development & Engagement

• In collaboration with the Sr. Director of Operations, Lead initiatives to build organizational capacity, including team-building, leadership development, and institutional learning
• Build onboarding and training programs to ensure new hires integrate smoothly and quickly contribute to the organization’s mission.
• Identify opportunities for professional development, mentorship, and succession planning for staff.
• Build on and continually improve the design and implementation of performance management processes, including staff training on feedback and competency-based career development
• Develop strategies and programs to enhance employee engagement and retention.

HR Infrastructure, Compliance, and Compensation

• Uphold HR policies, procedures, and systems to meet the needs of a growing nonprofit organization, partnering with legal counsel and other internal stakeholders across Operations and Finance to update the Employee Handbook and other policy-related documentation and administration as needed.
• Oversee and ensure compliance with all applicable labor laws, regulations, and nonprofit best practices, as well as accurate record-keeping systems for personnel files and HR data.
• Oversee the development of equitable compensation structures and benefits packages that align with the nonprofit’s resources and goals.
• Identify and maintain critical HR platforms and partnerships that amplify the HR-related functionalities, such as HRIS, ATS, Survey Platforms, various consultants, etc.
• Serve as a resource for employees, addressing workplace concerns with professionalism and confidentiality.

Organization & Culture

• Help cultivate and nurture healthy collaboration and communication between individuals and groups across the organization.
• Participate in and contribute to the Institute's culture of curiosity and learning.
• Foster an inclusive and collaborative workplace culture that reflects the organization’s values of creativity, equity, and innovation.
• Develop the organization’s capacity to live up to its values in practice when it comes to feedback, management, interpersonal respect, team dynamics, etc.
• Build and share knowledge, appreciation, and curiosity of the history, contributions, and legacy of Ray and Charles Eames.

The ideal candidate has:

Required skills, abilities, competencies

• Exceptional interpersonal, communication, and conflict-resolution skills.
• Commitment to fostering an inclusive, equitable workplace culture.
• Strong understanding of nonprofit HR practices and compliance requirements.
• Proven ability to build HR systems and policies in a growing organization.
• Strong organizational and project management skills with the ability to manage competing priorities.
• Familiarity with HR software, payroll systems, and benefit platforms.

Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Nonprofit Management, Business Administration, or a related field (Master’s degree preferred).
• 10+ years of progressive HR experience, with at least 2 years in a leadership role.
• Experience in a nonprofit or arts-related organization is strongly preferred.
• Knowledge of California labor laws, nonprofit management, funding constraints, and grant-related HR practices is a plus.

Other duties:

Please note: this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job.

Work hours, working styles, and additional benefits:

• This position is expected to be primarily onsite at the Institute’s Richmond location, with occasional travel to the other Institute workplaces in Petaluma and San Francisco, working Monday-Friday 9-5pm.

What we offer:

The Eames Institute offers a competitive benefits package for eligible employees, including…

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance, for which the organization covers 99% of the cost for employees and 75% of the cost for dependents
• Base salary range: $108,000 - $162,000
• 401k employer match up to 6%, commuting benefits, and parental leave
• Wellness benefit of $600 per year to spend on anything that contributes to your mental and physical wellness
• Professional development benefit up to $600 per year to support your continued learning and career development
• $500 match for charitable giving, for every year of service up to five years
• Unlimited paid time off policy in addition to fourteen paid holidays
• Sabbatical leave after five years of employment

U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Statement:

The Eames Institute values diversity, inclusion & belonging for all, and is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. We strive to create a workplace that empowers people of all backgrounds, identities, and experiences to feel respected, valued, and able to contribute at the highest level. If you’re excited by this role but your professional experience doesn’t perfectly align with the qualifications listed, we still encourage you to apply.