Head of Human Resources

About Us:

The Donovan’s Venom is a 501c3 nonprofit organization focused on curating universal accessibility to fine arts and music education for all. We are passionately dedicated to ensuring that everyone, regardless of financial circumstances, has access to high-quality music education, performance opportunities, and fine art. We aim to inspire, empower, and uplift communities by fostering a love for music and the arts through our commitment to education, inclusivity, diversity, and social impact, which drives us to expand our reach continually and enrich the lives of those we serve.

Position Overview

The Donovan’s Venom is seeking a strategic, people-focused, and experienced Head of Human Resources to lead the organization’s human resources function and support the growth and development of our team.

This volunteer leadership role will oversee HR strategy, talent acquisition, onboarding, employee relations, performance management, organizational culture, and HR policies and procedures. The Head of Human Resources will work closely with executive leadership and department heads to build effective people-management practices, strengthen team engagement, and ensure HR initiatives align with the organization’s mission and goals.

The ideal candidate will bring strong HR leadership experience, sound judgment, excellent communication skills, and a passion for supporting a mission-driven nonprofit organization.

Key Responsibilities

1. HR Strategy and Leadership: Develop and implement HR strategies, policies, and initiatives aligned with organizational goals, growth, and long-term priorities.
2. Talent Acquisition and Recruitment: Oversee the full recruitment lifecycle, including job descriptions, job postings, candidate sourcing, interviews, selection, and hiring coordination.
3. Workforce Planning: Collaborate with executive leadership and department heads to identify staffing needs, define role requirements, and support organizational workforce planning.
4. Onboarding and Volunteer Engagement: Establish effective onboarding and orientation processes to help new team members and volunteers understand their roles, responsibilities, and organizational culture.
5. Employee Relations and Conflict Resolution: Serve as a trusted resource for team members and leadership, addressing workplace concerns, interpersonal conflicts, and grievances fairly, professionally, and consistently.
6. Performance Management and Development: Develop performance evaluation processes, feedback mechanisms, professional development initiatives, and accountability practices that support individual and organizational growth.
7. HR Policies and Compliance: Develop, review, and maintain HR policies and procedures while supporting compliance with applicable employment laws, volunteer management requirements, confidentiality standards, and organizational policies.
8. Organizational Culture and Inclusion: Promote a positive, respectful, inclusive, and collaborative work environment that reflects the organization's commitment to diversity, equity, accessibility, and belonging.
9. HR Metrics and Reporting: Establish and monitor relevant HR metrics, including recruitment progress, retention, engagement, onboarding effectiveness, and workforce diversity where appropriate, to inform decision-making.
10. Leadership Collaboration and Continuous Improvement: Partner with executive leadership and department heads to improve HR processes, strengthen internal communication, support organizational change, and build sustainable people-management practices.

Qualifications and Requirements

• At least 4 years of experience in a senior HR, HR management, or HR leadership role; nonprofit experience is preferred.
• Strong knowledge of HR best practices, talent acquisition, employee relations, performance management, and HR policy development.
• Familiarity with applicable employment laws, regulatory requirements, and HR compliance practices.
• Excellent leadership, communication, interpersonal, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to build and maintain productive relationships with leadership, team members, volunteers, and other stakeholders.
• Experience developing recruitment strategies, onboarding processes, and employee engagement initiatives.
• Ability to handle confidential information with discretion, professionalism, and integrity.
• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Organizational Development, or a related field preferred; a master's degree is an advantage.
• HR-related certification, such as SHRM-CP, SHRM-SCP, PHR, or SPHR, is preferred.
• Ability to work independently, collaborate remotely, and contribute effectively to a mission-driven organization.

Preferred Skills

• Experience leading HR functions in a nonprofit, volunteer-driven, or growing organization.
• Ability to develop practical HR systems and processes that can scale with organizational growth.
• Familiarity with remote team management, volunteer engagement, and cross-functional collaboration.
• A proactive, solution-oriented approach to people management and organizational development.

What We Offer

• An opportunity to contribute to a nonprofit organization expanding access to music education and the fine arts.
• The opportunity to shape HR strategy, policies, and people-management practices.
• Leadership experience in a collaborative, mission-driven environment.
• Opportunities to work with a diverse, remote team and contribute to meaningful organizational growth.
• The chance to make a positive impact by helping build an inclusive, supportive, and effective team.

Position Note: This is an unpaid volunteer leadership opportunity. The role is intended for individuals who are passionate about human resources, organizational development, and advancing the nonprofit's mission.

Important Disclaimer

As a 100% volunteer-led U.S. nonprofit organization, we may engage volunteers located outside the United States. International volunteer participation is subject to applicable U.S. sanctions and export-control requirements, data privacy and information-security requirements, background screening where appropriate, and confirmation that the volunteer’s country and assigned responsibilities have been approved by the organization.

This is a volunteer position and does not constitute employment.

We are onboarding individuals who are ready to contribute immediately.