Director of Operations and Human Resources

Full-time

Building Bridges Across the River

Washington DC

Director of Human Resources & Operations

Position Overview

The Director of Human Resources & Operations is a key leadership position that supports the

Executive Vice President by leading all human resources functions and comprehensive safety

initiatives across the organization. This role serves as the organization's chief HR officer and

leads both employee safety programs and campus-wide safety protocols, reporting directly to

the Executive Vice President and working collaboratively with department leaders to ensure

exceptional employee experience, organizational effectiveness, and a safe environment for all

stakeholders.

Key Responsibilities

Human Resources Leadership (Primary Responsibility)

Talent Acquisition & Management

• Lead all recruitment efforts, including job posting, candidate screening, interviewing, and

selection processes

• Develop and implement comprehensive onboarding programs for new employees

• Create and manage employee retention strategies and career development pathways

• Oversee succession planning and internal talent pipeline development

• Manage relationships with recruiting agencies and employment platforms

Compensation & Benefits Administration

• Design and administer competitive compensation structures and salary bands

• Manage benefits programs, including health insurance, retirement plans, and employee

wellness initiatives

• Conduct regular market analysis to ensure competitive positioning

• Oversee payroll coordination and compensation-related compliance

• Administer leave policies (FMLA, PTO, sick leave, etc.)

Performance Management & Employee Development

• Design and implement performance review systems and evaluation processes

• Create employee development programs, training initiatives, and skill-building

opportunities

• Facilitate goal-setting frameworks aligned with organizational objectives

• Manage performance improvement plans and employee coaching initiatives

• Oversee leadership development and management training programs

Employee Relations & Workplace Culture

• Serve as primary point of contact for employee concerns, grievances, and conflict

resolution

• Investigate and resolve workplace disputes and employee relations issues

• Conduct exit interviews and analyze turnover data to improve retention

• Lead employee engagement initiatives and workplace culture enhancement programs

• Facilitate team-building activities and recognition programs

• Manage employee communication strategies and internal feedback mechanisms

Policy Development & Compliance

• Develop, update, and maintain employee handbook and HR policies

• Ensure compliance with all federal, state, and local employment laws (EEOC, ADA,

FLSA, etc.)

• Manage HR-related legal matters and coordinate with legal counsel as needed

• Maintain personnel files and ensure confidentiality of employee records

• Oversee I-9 verification, background checks, and employment eligibility processes

• Stay current on employment law changes and implement necessary policy updates

HR Systems & Analytics

• Manage HRIS (Human Resource Information System) and employee database

• Generate HR metrics and analytics to inform strategic decision-making

• Track and report on key HR indicators (turnover, time-to-hire, employee satisfaction,

etc.)

• Develop HR dashboards and regular reporting for senior leadership

Employee Safety Programs (Primary Responsibility)

• Develop and implement comprehensive workplace safety programs and protocols for all

employees

• Lead mandatory safety training programs for new hires and ongoing employee education

• Create role-specific safety training for employees based on job functions and risk

exposure

• Conduct regular employee safety meetings and communication campaigns

• Train supervisors and managers on safety leadership and incident prevention

• Oversee ergonomic assessments and workplace accommodation processes for

employee safety

• Manage employee safety equipment and personal protective equipment (PPE) programs

• Investigate workplace incidents, accidents, and near-misses involving employees

• Maintain OSHA compliance and manage reporting requirements for employee-related

incidents

• Manage workers' compensation claims and return-to-work programs

Campus-Wide Safety Programs (Work with Facilities Manager)

• Develop and implement comprehensive campus-wide safety protocols for employees,

visitors, partners, and community members

• Conduct regular safety audits and risk assessments across all campus facilities and

grounds

• Ensure campus security systems, access controls, and surveillance are properly

maintained

• Coordinate with facilities management on building safety, fire prevention, and hazard

mitigation

• Oversee campus emergency notification systems and communication protocols

• Develop campus visitor safety procedures and sign-in protocols

• Lead safety initiatives for campus events, community programs, and public gatherings

• Coordinate with local law enforcement and emergency services on campus safety

matters

• Manage campus-wide emergency supplies, first aid stations, and AED programs

Regulatory Compliance & Emergency Preparedness

• Ensure organizational compliance with all safety regulations, building codes, and

accessibility requirements

• Coordinate safety inspections and maintain compliance documentation for campus

facilities

• Develop and maintain comprehensive safety manuals and standard operating

procedures

• Lead campus-wide emergency preparedness planning and business continuity for safety

incidents

• Conduct emergency drills (fire, active threat, natural disaster) and preparedness training

for all campus occupants

• Create and update emergency response and evacuation procedures

• Develop and maintain emergency action plans for various scenarios

• Coordinate with local emergency services and regulatory agencies

• Maintain emergency contact systems and crisis communication protocols

• Develop and update pandemic preparedness and response plans

• Ensure compliance with health department requirements and public safety mandates

Safety Culture & Risk Management

• Foster a culture of safety awareness across the entire campus community

• Develop safety recognition programs and incentive initiatives

• Create safety committees with employee and stakeholder representation

• Conduct risk assessments for new programs, events, and facility changes

• Review and update safety policies in response to incidents or regulatory changes

• Track and analyze safety metrics, incident trends, and leading indicators

• Prepare safety reports for senior leadership and Board of Directors

Operational Support Responsibilities

IT & Facilities Coordination

• Support EVP in employee technology onboarding and equipment provisioning

• Coordinate workspace setup and facility accommodations for new hires

• Assist with space planning and workplace design initiatives

• Support vendor management for HR-related services and safety equipment

• Ensure safety considerations are integrated into facility planning and improvements

Events & Community Engagement Support

• Provide HR and safety support for organizational events and community programs

• Coordinate volunteer management and background check processes for events

• Ensure comprehensive safety protocols are in place for all community engagement

activities

• Conduct safety briefings for event staff and volunteers

• Support employee volunteer programs and community service initiatives

• Develop event-specific safety plans and emergency procedures

Board & Partner Relations Support

• Prepare HR reports and safety metrics for Board of Directors presentations

• Attend Partners Meetings when HR or safety topics are on the agenda

• Provide HR and compliance expertise to support partnership initiatives

• Support EVP in developing operational reports that include HR and safety data

• Brief board committees on safety incidents, workers' compensation, and risk mitigation

Strategic Planning & Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Serve on leadership team and contribute to organizational strategic planning

• Collaborate with department heads on workforce planning and organizational design

• Support EVP with special projects and strategic initiatives

• Participate in budget planning for HR and safety-related expenses

• Partner with finance on headcount planning and compensation budgeting

• Integrate safety considerations into all operational planning processes

Qualifications

Required:

• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Occupational Safety,

or related field

• 7+ years of progressive HR leadership experience

• Demonstrated experience developing and implementing comprehensive safety programs

• Professional HR certification (PHR, SPHR, or SHRM-CP/SCP) preferred

• Strong knowledge of employment law and HR compliance requirements

• Strong knowledge of OSHA regulations and workplace safety standards

• Proven track record in employee relations and conflict resolution

• Experience conducting safety training and emergency preparedness drills

Preferred:

• Master's degree in HR, Business, Safety Management, or related field

• Dual certifications in HR (SHRM/HRCI) and Safety (OSHA, CSP, CHST, or similar)

• Experience in nonprofit or mission-driven organizations with public-facing campuses

• HRIS implementation and management experience

• Change management and organizational development expertise

• Crisis management and emergency response training

Core Competencies

• Strategic thinking with operational execution excellence

• Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills

• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities

• High emotional intelligence and discretion

• Detail-oriented with strong organizational skills

• Ability to manage multiple priorities and competing deadlines

• Collaborative leadership style with team-building capabilities

• Commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion principles

• Proactive risk management mindset

• Calm and decisive in emergency situations

Reporting Structure

Reports to: Executive Vice President

Direct Reports: HR Generalist/Administrator, Campus Operations Administrator

Key Relationships: Executive Vice President, CEO, Department Directors, Board Committees,

Facilities Manager, Campus Partners

This position plays a vital role in creating exceptional employee experience while ensuring the

highest standards of safety for employees, visitors, and all campus community members. The

ideal candidate will be a strategic HR leader who can balance compassionate employee support

with comprehensive safety leadership, campus operations and regulatory compliance