Sr. Director, Human Resources

How This Position Contributes to the Team

The Sr. Director of Human Resources (HR) reports to the Executive Director (ED) and provides leadership to the development and implementation of Water Environment Federation (WEF)'s human resource strategy, including attracting and retaining high-performing talent, building a culture and a workforce that is diverse, equitable, and inclusive, and ensuring compliance with required laws and regulations in an organization with remote operations in multiple states. The position advises WEF's executive team on all aspects of Human Resources, including Talent Acquisition, succession planning, performance management and promotion, training and professional development, employee relations, Compensation, Benefits, compliance with laws and WEF policies. The position manages a small team of 2 people/consultants. The Sr. Director HR creates a vision for achieving excellence in all areas of human resources and implements that vision in a "hands-on" way.

NOTE: This position is only open to hybrid work - approximately 80% remote and 20% in-office (Alexandria, VA).

Principal Areas of Focus:

HR Strategy

• In collaboration with the ED, sets the direction for all key areas and critical functions within HR.
• Plays a critical role in determining the future of work model for WEF while maintaining a strong corporate culture based on the goals and vision of the organization.

DEI

• Ensures that WEF's policies and procedures are consistent with the principles of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DE&I); partners with WEF's executive team to advance WEF's DE&I strategies.
• Works with external and internal resources on the delivery and implementation of DE&I programs.

Managerial and Administrative

• Provides oversight of the day-to-day operations of HR.
• Manages HR staff and consultants, as needed.
• Develops and monitors the department's budget.
• Oversees the administration of and provides budgetary oversight of WEF's benefits plans; works with insurance and benefits brokers to stay abreast of benefit changes and to ensure effective communication to employees about benefit programs, including enrollments and changes.
• Benchmarks WEF's competitive position relative to compensation, benefits, and other HR programs.
• Addresses complex, sensitive, and confidential matters, acting as advisor to the ED, CFO, and executive team, and including providing coaching and counseling for employees and management in sensitive employment matters.

Talent Management

• Drives recruitment and hiring efforts, including strategies to attract top talent; includes developing and posting advertisements; screening resumes and suggesting candidates; interviewing candidates and advising the hiring manager; determining salary and extending offers of employment.
• Oversees effective onboarding and offboarding of WEF employees, including oversight of employee orientations and conducting exit interviews.
• Manages and implements the performance management process for WEF, including administering tools for conducting timely and effective performance evaluations.
• Oversees WEF's professional development planning, including the selection and deployment of training and development, and working with employees on career pathing and the actualizing of their full potential.
• Spearheads design and implementation of effective compensation, recognition, rewards, and benefits programs.
• Coaches and counsels WEF staff in employee relations matters, facilitating conflict resolution and optimal outcomes.
• Advises staff and/or supervisors on corrective action issues as needed; follows through on issues to satisfactory resolution.

Compliance, Recordkeeping & Regulations

• Sets and enforces legally compliant HR policies, procedures, and best practices, including policies and procedures that are consistent with WEF's commitment to DE&I.
• Ensures compliance with federal, state, and local employment laws, regulations, and requirements (e.g., ADA, FMLA, FLSA etc.); ensures that state labor laws are observed in all states of WEF operations, including posting of labor law posters at all work sites, including virtual operations.
• Oversees revisions to the employee handbook, working with outside legal counsel as needed.
• Ensures the development, review, and revision of job descriptions to ensure accurate reflection of roles and responsibilities, FLSA status, and appropriate compensation.
• Ensures compliance with benefit plan requirements and audit obligations as needed.
• Oversees payroll, timekeeping, and leave processes across the organization, ensuring legal compliance and observance of established policies and procedures.
• Ensures accurate maintenance and the confidentiality of personnel records.
• Ensures completion and submission as needed of required reporting to government agencies, auditors, funders, and for internal purposes, including but not limited to the EEO-1 report.

Innovation and Process Improvement

• Identifies and implements technology, tools, and processes that maximize HR effectiveness and enhance the employee experience.
• Stays abreast of evolving workforce trends to position WEF as an attractive employer across multiple geographic locations and demographics.

Requirements and Qualifications:

Education and Certifications:

• Bachelor's degree in HR, business administration, or related field required; Master's degree preferred.
• A minimum of eight years of human resources experience, with five years or more at a senior management level.
• SHRM-S/CP or S/PHR certification highly preferred.

Experience:

• Experience leading Human Resources for an industry or professional association or other not-for-profit organization required.
• Experience in multiple human resource functions, including not limited to employee relations; recruiting; diversity, equity and inclusion; employee engagement; leadership and staff development; performance management; compliance and reporting; and compensation and benefits.
• Experience with administration of online HR employment, performance, and payroll solutions.
• Experience with operations in multiple states highly desired.

Knowledge, Skills, and Expertise:

• Strategic leadership ability founded on analytical skills and innovative problem-solving.
• Well-versed in DE&I and able to build a workforce culture based on diversity, equity and inclusion principles; ability to ensure policies and procedures reflect WEF's commitment to DE&I.
• Knowledge of federal and state employment regulations, including laws relating to teleworking and remote operations in multiple states.
• Able to leverage best practices and emerging trends relating to evolving workforce habits and preferences, remote and hybrid work, and how to use technology to improve outcomes in a hybrid workforce culture.
• Demonstrates extreme discretion, can quickly build and maintain trust, and is adept at influencing at all levels of the organization.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Strong interpersonal skills, including the ability to interact effectively with a wide range of people in a wide range of situations; able to adeptly confront difficult situations and effect conflict resolution when needed.
• Ability to adopt and interpret the organization's mission, vision, and values for employees' success.
• Flexibility and the ability to work quickly and accurately under pressure while juggling multiple priorities; strong organizational and project management skills.
• Ability to exercise a high degree of integrity, confidentiality, and unbiased judgment.
• Energy and ability to innovate, collaborate, problem-solve, and champion change both within the human resources function and with employees and stakeholders across the organization.

This person will work primarily in an office environment using standard office equipment.

WEF reserves the right to require proof of COVID-19 vaccination or other compliance with public health measures as a condition of employment. This is not mandatory at this time.

WEF is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate in hiring or employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, age, national origin, disability status, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Who We Are

The Water Environment Federation (WEF) is a not-for-profit technical and educational organization of more than 30,000 individual members and 75 affiliated Member Associations (MAs) representing water quality professionals around the world. Since 1928, WEF and its members have protected public health and the environment. WEF and its global network of members and member associations provide water quality professionals around the world with the latest in water quality education, training, and business opportunities. WEF's diverse membership includes scientists, engineers, regulators, academics, utility managers, plant operators, and other professionals. WEF uses this collective knowledge to further a shared goal of improving water quality around the world.

WEF is operating under a new Strategic Plan built on the vision of a life free of water challenges. Our ultimate goal is a world where each person has access to clean water and sanitation, where communities prosper, and where nature thrives. The key strategic goals under the new Strategic Plan are: 1) to attract and develop a diverse and passionate workforce; 2) to cultivate a purpose-driven community to sustainably solve water challenges for all; and 3) to lead the transformation to the circular water economy.

The new Strategic Plan embodies WEF's embrace of diversity, equity, and inclusion in all that we do. WEF is committed to equity and inclusion in all aspects of our work, including within the governance structure and leadership, WEF partners, WEF staff, and the WEF membership. This commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion will guide our work and our programs, culminating in outcomes that improve public health for all.