Director of People Experience

Goodwill Greater New York and Northern New Jersey (GWNYNJ) believes that the power of work and sustainable fashion is how we unlock the good in our communities. For over 100 years, we have helped people get jobs, stay employed, and progress in careers across New York and Northern New Jersey. We believe that diversity drives innovation and strengthens our workplace. We are committed to fostering our inclusive environment where all employees feel valued, respected, and empowered to contribute fully. We welcome applicants of all backgrounds, identities, experiences, and abilities.

Position Summary

The Director of People Experience leads the strategy and execution of employee experience across Goodwill NYNJ, overseeing people relations, total rewards, onboarding & hiring experience, culture, and engagement . Reporting to the Vice President of People , this role ensures that our people practices reflect our mission, values, and commitment to equity while meeting the unique needs of a diverse, multi‑site workforce spanning thrift retail, social services, and administrative functions.

This leader builds systems that help staff feel welcomed, respected, and empowered from their first day through every stage of their Goodwill journey. They champion a culture of belonging, accountability, and mission alignment—ensuring that the employee experience supports both organizational effectiveness and community impact.

Key Responsibilities

People Experience Strategy & Leadership

• Develop and lead a comprehensive People Experience strategy that strengthens engagement, belonging, and mission alignment across all business lines.
• Partner with managers to ensure people practices support organizational goals, operational realities, and the needs of frontline and program staff.
• Lead a team responsible for employee relations, recognition, onboarding, and culture initiatives.

Employee Relations, Leave Management & Workplace Culture

• Oversee employee relations to ensure fair, consistent, and mission‑aligned practices across retail, social services, and administrative environments.
• Build manager capability through coaching, tools, and training that promote respectful communication, accountability, and problem‑solving.
• Own and manage the leave and accommodation process ensuring staff are properly cared for, vendor is upholding their service levels and documentation is up to date.
• Identify trends and root causes in ER issues and implement proactive solutions that strengthen culture and reduce risk.
• Manage the unemployment claims process with our vendor and implement best practices to mitigate high claims costs.

Onboarding, Hiring Experience & Talent Integration

• Design and oversee a welcoming, inclusive onboarding experience that reflects Goodwill’s mission and prepares staff for success in their roles.
• Partner with the Talent team to ensure hiring processes are equitable, efficient, and aligned with the needs of high‑volume retail hiring and credential‑based program staffing.
• Ensure new staff understand Goodwill’s mission, values, expectations, and the impact of their work.

Total Rewards, Recognition, Engagement & Retention

• Build and refine the total rewards strategy including compensation structures, incentives and year end merit frameworks.
• Lead organization‑wide recognition programs that celebrate contributions across stores, programs, and administrative teams.
• Develop engagement strategies that strengthen connection, morale, and retention—especially among frontline and field‑based staff.
• Support benefit and wellness programs including Open Enrollment and activations.
• Use data from surveys, listening sessions, and ER trends to drive continuous improvement.

Culture Building & Mission Alignment

• Champion a people‑centered culture rooted in respect, inclusion, learning, and community impact.
• Partner with leaders to embed Goodwill’s values into daily operations, leadership behaviors, and employee communications.
• Support change management efforts that promote transparency, trust, and organizational resilience.

Cross‑Functional Collaboration

• Work closely with Retail Operations, Mission Program Leadership, Talent, Learning & Development, and DEIA Council to ensure a cohesive employee experience.
• Understand the unique needs of each business line—fast‑paced retail, diverse social services, and office‑based functions—and tailor strategies accordingly.
• Serve as a thought partner in shaping organizational culture and workforce strategy.

Qualifications

Required

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Organizational Development, Business, Social Work, or related field—or equivalent experience.
• 7+ years of progressive HR/People Experience leadership, including employee relations and culture-building.
• Experience supporting multi‑site, frontline, or high‑volume workforces.
• Strong knowledge of employment laws and best practices.
• Background in leave and accommodation management including vendor management.
• Experience and high level of competency using HRIS systems (Dayforce) as well as other technology platforms to incorporate AI into the flow of work.
• Demonstrated ability to lead teams, influence leaders, and drive organizational change.
• Excellent communication, facilitation, and relationship‑building skills.
• Ability to travel regularly to stores and program sites across NYC and Northern NJ.

Preferred

• Experience in nonprofit, social services, and retail environments.
• HR certification (SHRM‑CP/SCP, PHR/SPHR).
• Bilingual (English/Spanish or English/ASL).
• Experience designing culture, engagement, or recognition programs.

We believe in creating space for everyone to do their best work and have individual and collective impact. We believe in challenging the status quo and setting ambitious goals in the name of doing more good. We believe that being your best self and helping others do the same is how we bring our mission alive. Even if you don’t think you meet all the qualifications listed for the job, we would love to hear from you!

If you require a reasonable accommodation at any point in the application or interview process, or if you are unable to apply through our recruitment portal, please contact us at View email address on click.appcast.io. We are happy to assist and ensure you have an equal opportunity to apply.