People Specialist

Vocate is a non-profit higher education and workforce solutions provider dedicated to closing the nation’s talent gaps in critical industries such as healthcare. Through its entities including Ultimate Medical Academy, American Institute, Nasium Training and Global Education Group, Vocate serves more than 20,000 adult learners nationwide, primarily in under-resourced populations. Backed by more than 130 years of combined experience in higher learning across its institutions, Vocate delivers accessible, career-aligned programs enhanced by employer partnerships and comprehensive student support services.

As a full-time team member, you will have access to the following benefits:

• Medical (including prescription), Dental, Vision (UMA subsidized)
• FSA/HSA (Depending on Medical Plan chosen)
• Basic Life Insurance (UMA paid) minimum $50,000 - maximum $250,000 (1x annual salary)
• Additional Voluntary Life Insurance (Team Member paid)
• Employee Assistance Program – EAP (UMA paid)
• Long Term Disability (UMA paid)
• Short Term Disability (Team Member paid)
• Supplemental Insurance such as Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital (Team Member Paid)
• Paid Time Off – 15 days accrued in year 1, 9 holidays, and 1 day of Volunteering Time Off
• 401k (eligible upon completion of 90 days of employment and must be at least 18 years of age)
• Pet Insurance
• Identity Theft Protection

Purpose of the Position:

The People Specialist provides strategic, operational, and administrative support to the Chief People Officer and the broader People Team. This position plays a key role in supporting executive recruiting, organizational planning, leadership operations, workforce initiatives, and executive communications. The role coordinates cross-functional activities, develops executive-level materials, and helps ensure effective execution of People Team priorities while maintaining a high level of professionalism and confidentiality.

What you’ll do:

1. Executive Leadership Support: Serve as a trusted strategic and operational partner to the Chief People Officer and People Team’s executive leadership on sensitive workforce-related items by preparing agendas, briefing materials, presentations, and follow-up communications while maintaining confidentiality.
2. Executive Recruiting & Candidate Experience: Coordinate executive-level search activities, including interview scheduling, candidate communications, interview materials, and partnership with external search firms to deliver a seamless candidate experience.
3. Meeting Coordination & Leadership Operations: Coordinate executive calendars, complex scheduling, meeting logistics, materials preparation, meeting notes, action-item tracking, and follow-up communications across multiple stakeholders.
4. Strategic Project & Program Coordination: Support People Team and enterprise initiatives by coordinating timelines, deliverables, action items, stakeholder communications, and project documentation to ensure successful execution.
5. Workforce & Organizational Planning Support: Develop and maintain organizational charts and workforce planning materials. Support organizational design initiatives, reporting structure reviews, and future-state planning discussions.
6. People Team Functional Support: Support key People Team initiatives, programs, leadership meetings, listening sessions, town halls, and engagement activities. Assist with surveys, feedback collection, reporting, and follow-up activities.
7. Administrative Support & Expense Reporting: Manage administrative tasks including scheduling, travel coordination, and expense reporting for executive engagement activities, ensuring accuracy, compliance, and timely processing.
8. Event Planning, Coordination & Execution: Organize and manage events, meetings, and activities for the workforce that foster engagement and collaboration.
9. Vendor & Stakeholder Coordination: Serves as a liaison between internal teams and external partners, coordinating meetings, communications, scheduling, and project-related activities.
10. Coordinate Continuous Improvement Efforts : Work with stakeholders across the department to initiate and advance continuous improvement activities related to People Team service delivery and team member experience. Identify areas of opportunity where automation, or systemic solutions may enhance team member and leadership self-service efforts.
11. Perform other duties as assigned.

Career Level Expectations:

• Applies broad practical knowledge across executive support, project coordination, and organizational planning.
• Works independently with general direction and exercises sound judgment when managing sensitive, confidential, or time-sensitive work.
• Anticipates needs, identifies risks and dependencies, and resolves complex coordination issues proactively.
• Influences stakeholders through clear communication, reliable follow-through, and well-organized decision support.
• Manages multiple priorities and shifting deadlines while maintaining accuracy, discretion, and service quality.
• Demonstrates a commitment to continuous learning and professional development.

Required Skills/Experience:

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• 4-6 years of progressive administrative, executive support, or related professional experience.
• Demonstrated experience supporting senior leaders with managing complex, competing priorities with a high degree of independence.
• Exceptional organizational, prioritization and time-management skills, with impeccable attention to detail and follow-through.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the judgment to communicate effectively across all levels of the organization.
• High degree of discretion and sound judgment when handling sensitive, confidential, or time-sensitive matters.
• Demonstrated ability to anticipate needs, solve problems proactively, and adapt quickly as priorities shift.
• Strong proficiency with Microsoft Office, especially Word, Excel and PowerPoint, with the ability to quickly learn and effectively use new systems and tools.
• Ability to operate with professionalism, composure, and diplomacy in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to professionally communicate fluently in verbal and written English.
• Ability to contribute to a diverse and inclusive work environment.
• Computer literacy/basic computer skills to effectively navigate and utilize the technology required for the role.

Preferred Requirements:

• Associate’s degree or equivalent combination of education and professional experience.
• Experience supporting a senior executive.
• Professional experience in a Human Resources or People function.
• SHRM or other relevant certification.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office, particularly Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Teams.
• Act as an enabler of change and progress, bringing energy, adaptability, and a bias for action to help move priorities forward.
• Demonstrate positive, solutions-oriented mindset, maintaining composure and resourcefulness when priorities shift or challenges arise.

Compliance:

• Demonstrate knowledge of and carefully follow all applicable federal and state compliance requirements and regulations including those prescribed by the U.S. Department of Education, accrediting agencies, state regulations, and internal policies and procedures.
• Effectively communicate compliance requirements to other staff as appropriate and quickly escalate any compliance concerns to the Compliance department.

Work Environment/Physical Demands:

• This is a fully remote position with occasional onsite travel required.
• Home office setup, quiet place to work, and ability to hard wire into high-speed internet connection.
• May require setup of computer equipment; accommodation consideration available upon request.
• Flexibility to work evenings and weekends, as needed.

Anticipated starting salary is based on experience and qualifications.

Compensation Range

$75,000—$85,000 USD

OUR CORE VALUES

COLLABORATE

We achieve more together. By approaching challenges with insight and expertise, we create solutions that drive meaningful impact across our growing organization and for those we serve.

ADVOCATE

We boldly champion those we serve. With a deep understanding of our partners, and team members, we amplify and advance our shared goals and objectives to drive success.

RESPECT

We honor ourselves and each other. By fostering confidence in our own contributions, while creating space for all voices, we build stronger partnerships, better ideas, and a culture where everyone can belong and thrive.

EMPOWER

We unlock potential. We empower others by fostering continuous learning, activating strengths, and creating connections that enable opportunities — laying the foundation for transformative change.