VP of People

Job Description Job Description First Place For Youth-Join Our Team Video! Are you dedicated to empowering and supporting youth, regardless of their background? We're searching for passionate individuals to make a positive impact on the lives of foster youth. Become an integral part of their transformative journey and join the First Place for Youth team. About First Place for Youth, We’re a leading non-profit organization dedicated to supporting foster youth in their transition to adulthood, with a focus on education, employment, and housing. We believe that all young people deserve the opportunity to thrive and lead successful, independent lives. Our comprehensive programs empower foster youth to overcome the unique challenges they face and build the skills, confidence, and connections they need to succeed. Why Work at First Place For Youth : Meaningful Impact : Help to transform the lives of foster youth on the cusp of adulthood. Your role will support them in their journey to conquer challenges, achieve independence, and fulfill their aspirations. Innovative Approach: We thrive on innovation, pushing the boundaries of foster care support. Your voice here matters, and you’ll contribute to programs that redefine the futures of these young lives. Collaborative and Supportive Environment: Embrace a dynamic and supportive workplace, where every team member is valued. Together, we’re a force dedicated to uplifting youth. Expect professional growth, fueled by teamwork and collaboration. Comprehensive Benefits: We value the well‑being of our employees and offer a comprehensive benefits package. From health and wellness benefits to retirement plans, we ensure that our team members are taken care of so they can focus on their important work supporting foster youth. Culture of Diversity and Inclusion: We celebrate diversity in every form. At First Place for Youth, inclusivity reigns, creating a workplace where all voices are heard, respected, and empowered. POSITION SUMMARY: The Vice President of People (VP of People) is a strategic, results-oriented senior leader responsible for building and executing a comprehensive people and culture function across the organization. Reporting to the CEO, the VP of People serves as a trusted advisor to leadership and a champion for employees at all levels. This role owns the full people lifecycle - from talent acquisition and onboarding through compensation, performance management, and retention - while ensuring the organization remains compliant, competitive as an employer, and positioned to scale. The VP of People will bring a people-centered, data-informed mindset, sound judgment, and the operational rigor needed to build best-in-class people systems in a mission-driven, multi-site environment. At First Place, our people are our program. The VP of People will be the steward of an organizational culture where every staff member feels seen, supported, and connected to the mission - understanding that how we care for our team directly shapes how we show up for the young people we serve. DUTIES + RESPONSIBILITIES: Strategy and Organizational Leadership Develop and execute a multi-year people and culture strategy aligned with First Place’s mission, organizational goals, and growth plans. Serve as a key member of the Leadership Team, providing strategic guidance on workforce planning, organizational design, people risk and wellbeing, and initiatives that strengthen our team and culture. Use workforce data and people metrics to surface insights, spot trends, and continuously improve the employee experience and organizational outcomes. Represent the organization’s people and culture function externally, helping position First Place as an employer of choice in the nonprofit sector. Champion a culture of belonging, psychological safety, and continuous learning - modeling the values and behaviors that make First Place a place where people thrive. Talent Acquisition and Onboarding Own the strategy and standards for full-cycle recruiting and hiring across all roles and locations, ensuring consistency, equity, and alignment with organizational values. Develop structured screening and interview frameworks to ensure values-aligned rigorous and equitable candidate evaluation. Oversee a comprehensive onboarding program that builds genuine connection, cultural belonging, and early momentum for new hires. Build and maintain talent pipelines and employer branding strategies to attract mission-aligned, high-quality candidates. Ensure #J-18808-Ljbffr