Chief Human Resources Officer

Northwest Center is an ambitious, dynamic, and driven social enterprise organization that operates successful businesses to drive societal change. We are focused on our collective North—a world where all children have equitable access to education and the employment rate for people with disabilities is the same as the general population. Since its inception in 1965, Northwest Center has built and acquired a portfolio of commercial businesses to fuel our mission of disability inclusion and enable our journey North.

The Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO) is a pivotal member of the executive leadership team, tasked with designing, developing, and advancing the organization’s human resources strategy. The CHRO will lead HR initiatives that align with the organization's mission, drive business objectives, and ensure compliance while also fostering a culture of diversity, inclusion, and innovation. The CHRO will serve as a strategic counselor to the CEO and senior leadership on all HR-related matters, driving organizational success through a strong HR function.

Salary: $190-230K

Location: Renton, WA

Benefits:

• Competitive and affordable Medical (including hearing & hardware coverage!), Dental, Vision, Disability, and Life Insurance
• Parental Leave & Paid Compassion Leave
• Employment Assistance Program (EAP) via Spring Health
• Mental Wellness Program including six free therapy sessions per year
• Physical Wellness Reimbursement Program - $25/month
• Student Loan Contribution Program - $50/month
• Pet Insurance Discount Program

Key Responsibilities:

Strategic Leadership:

• Design, develop, and implement a comprehensive HR strategy that aligns with the organization’s business goals and promotes continuous improvement in HR practices.
• Revise and elevate HR policies, procedures, and practices to reflect organizational growth, industry advancements, and best practices.
• Partner with the executive leadership team to provide strategic counsel on business decisions, ensuring alignment between business strategies and HR initiatives.
• Lead organizational development and change management efforts to build an agile, engaged, and future-ready workforce.

Operational Excellence:

• Oversee all operational aspects of the HR function, including talent acquisition, employee engagement programs, employee relations, compensation and benefits, performance management, and HR compliance.
• Design, develop, and continuously refine the HR infrastructure by creating and updating policies, programs, and initiatives that drive operational efficiency.
• Ensure the efficient and effective delivery of HR services and programs across all regions, optimizing processes for enhanced performance and outcomes.
• Manage and mentor an HR team, fostering a culture of high performance, collaboration, and continuous improvement.

Cross-Functional and Cross-Cultural Collaboration:

• Collaborate with all Northwest Center functions and enterprises to drive integrated solutions that support overall organizational goals.
• Serve as a strategic advisor and counselor to the CEO and leadership team, providing guidance on HR-related matters and their impact on business operations.
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with key stakeholders, including employees, management, and external partners, ensuring alignment and successful execution of HR strategies.
• Champion diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives, embedding these principles in all HR practices and organizational culture.

Employee Relations and Ethics:

• Lead the development and implementation of employee relations strategies that promote a positive workplace culture aligned with the organization’s values.
• Ensure adherence to ethical standards and practices within HR operations, fostering a culture of integrity, accountability, and transparency.
• Address employee relations issues with sensitivity to cultural and language diversity, ensuring fair and equitable treatment of all employees.

Government Contracting:

• Provide leadership and oversight of HR practices related to government contracting.
• Ensure HR policies and practices meet the stringent compliance and reporting requirements associated with government contracts and grants.

Business Acumen and Impact:

• Demonstrate strong business acumen by understanding and articulating the impact of HR strategies on the organization’s financial performance and operational effectiveness.
• Provide data-driven insights and HR metrics to inform decision-making and ensure HR initiatives contribute to business outcomes and add strategic value.
• Act as a key advisor to the CEO and executive team on HR-related matters, providing strategic counsel and recommendations that support overall organizational success.

Requirements:

• Master's degree and 15+ years' relevant experience or equivalent combination of education/experience, including 10 years of management experience.
• Experience in US government contracting preferred.
• Experience in Union contract negotiations preferred.
• Experience overseeing and developing Total Rewards.
• Proven track record of leading HR in a complex environment with a diverse workforce.
• Exceptional leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build and maintain relationships across functions and cultures.
• A sensitivity to cultural and language diversity and commitment to promoting DEI initiatives.
• Strong business acumen, with the ability to align HR strategies with business objectives.

Northwest Center is committed to offering reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, perform essential job functions, and/or receive other benefits and privileges of employment, please contact us at jobs@nwcenter.org.

At Northwest Center, we do not just accept diversity and inclusion — we celebrate it, support it, live it, and flourish in it to benefit our employees, the community, and our clientele. We believe that curiosity and critical thinking are essential to the dialogue and improving decision-making, planning, resource allocation, and how we treat others. Our goal is to create and implement more equitable practices, policies, and culture. To be equitable means to value and respect individuals from all cultural backgrounds, genders, races, identities, and abilities. Northwest Center is proud to be an equal opportunity employer, including disability and veteran status.