Vice President, People & Culture

Join the Charles Lea Center as Vice President, People & Culture

Are you a strategic leader passionate about developing people, strengthening workplace culture, and driving organizational success? Charles Lea Center is seeking a dynamic Vice President of People & Culture to lead employee engagement, talent development, workforce strategy, and organizational effectiveness across our multi-state organization. In this executive role, you'll partner with senior leaders to build a high-performing, mission-driven culture that supports employee growth, leadership excellence, and exceptional service delivery. Join us in shaping the future of our workforce while making a meaningful impact in the lives of individuals we serve.

What We Offer:

• Competitive Pay
• Paid Training: We'll equip you with everything you need to succeed
• Outstanding Benefits:
  • Medical, dental, vision, and life insurance
  • 401(k) retirement plan
  • Paid time off (PTO)
  • Sick Leave
  • Tuition reimbursement
  • Free onsite wellness clinic

About the Role:

The Vice President of People & Culture is a key member of the Executive Leadership Team and serves as the strategic leader for all people-related initiatives across South Carolina, North Carolina, and Tennessee. This executive role oversees talent management, organizational development, employee engagement, workforce planning, succession management, leadership development, and culture transformation. The position ensures alignment between workforce strategy and the organization's mission, values, and strategic objectives.

Key Responsibilities

Culture & Employee Engagement

• Champion a positive, inclusive, and mission-driven culture throughout the organization.
• Develop employee engagement, recognition, retention, and communication strategies.
• Serve as a trusted advisor to leaders on workplace culture and employee relations.
• Analyze engagement surveys, workforce metrics, stay interviews, and exit interviews to drive continuous improvement.
• Coach leaders to strengthen leadership effectiveness and organizational performance.

Human Resources Leadership

• Provide strategic oversight for recruitment, onboarding, employee relations, performance management, compensation, benefits, training, and workforce planning.
• Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local employment laws.
• Develop HR strategies aligned with organizational goals and workforce needs.
• Lead HR systems, reporting, analytics, and employee records management.

Talent Strategy & Leadership Development

• Lead the employee experience from recruitment through separation.
• Build and execute talent management and succession planning strategies.
• Partner with organizational leaders to identify workforce needs and talent gaps.
• Drive leadership development, career growth, performance management, and continuous learning initiatives.
• Utilize workforce analytics to forecast staffing needs and inform strategic decision-making.

Organizational Effectiveness & Change Leadership

• Lead enterprise-wide change management initiatives.
• Advise and coach executive leaders on organizational design, employee engagement, and culture transformation.
• Develop change readiness and communication strategies.
• Build high-performing teams and strengthen leadership competencies across the organization.

Executive Leadership

• Participate as a strategic member of the Executive Leadership Team.
• Support organizational growth, workforce sustainability, and operational excellence.
• Provide executive oversight of workforce analytics and organizational effectiveness measures.

Budget & Vendor Management

• Develop and manage departmental budgets.
• Evaluate cost-effective workforce solutions.
• Oversee vendor relationships for benefits, HRIS, recruiting, learning platforms, wellness programs, and other people-related services.

Qualifications

Education

• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Organizational Leadership, or a related field required.
• Master's degree preferred.

Experience

• Minimum 8 years of progressive Human Resources experience.
• At least 5 years in a senior HR leadership role.
• Experience leading HR functions across multiple locations and/or states.
• Proven success in employee engagement, culture development, talent management, and workforce retention.
• Preferred experience in healthcare, behavioral health, human services, nonprofit, or other multi-site organizations.

Supervisory Responsibility: This position supervises HR Directors in TN, NC, and SC, LMS & HRIS Administrator and Learning & Professional Development Coordinator.

Work Environment: Professional office environment within the Charles Lea Center. Standard work schedule of Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5 p.m. (40 hours per week). All programs have frequent use of computers and/or laptop, household appliances, Center-owned vehicles, Center-owned cell phone, assigned adaptive equipment that supports the person.

Physical Demands: This role involves regular standing, walking, lifting (up to 15 lbs), and hands-on support. Reasonable accommodations are available.

Travel: Travel may be required for organizational needs when applicable.

Ready to Apply?

If you're ready to make a difference and grow in a meaningful career, we'd love to meet you! Fill out our quick, mobile-friendly application today and take the first step toward joining a team that's changing lives.

Charles Lea Center is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to any status protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. Reasonable accommodations are available for qualified individuals with disabilities throughout the application process.