Chief Human Resources Officer (Hybrid)

Company Description

Education Development Center (EDC) is one of the world’s leading nonprofit research and development organizations. Collaborating with public and private partners throughout the U.S. and in more than 20 countries, EDC is committed to creating a world where all people, especially those most systemically marginalized, are empowered to live healthy, productive lives. With a staff of more than 1,500 people, the organization designs, implements, and evaluates programs to improve education, health, and economic opportunity.

Founded in 1958 during a pivotal historical moment—the space race—EDC quickly earned a reputation for educational innovation and excellence. Its rich history includes groundbreaking new approaches to international development, learning sciences, and health services. At its heart, EDC is an organization that forms consequential partnerships to address the world’s most pressing challenges. Over six decades, the organization has: developed innovative curricula and pedagogical approaches; pioneered the use of radio and audio to improve teaching and learning across the world; worked in partnership with countries to develop programs to prepare young people for the jobs of tomorrow; played a pivotal role in transforming conversations around mental health and suicide prevention; and shaped national policy on how technology enhances teaching and learning.

Today, EDC continues to accomplish lasting change through partnerships with social service organizations, health systems, school districts, and governments across the globe. Staff bring to these partnerships a deep expertise in a wide array of areas, including early childhood development and K-12 learning, youth workforce development, and mental health and well-being; as well as an understanding of interconnections with wider global challenges such as inequities, conflict, and climate change. Systemic oppression continues to exacerbate many inequities globally and dismantling these inequities has been a core focus of EDC’s mission since its inception.

EDC is currently in the process of setting a strategic vision for the next three years. This vision will articulate how the mission of the organization endures as well as how it aims to increase its impact. At the heart of the strategy is an ambition to transform together, highlighting EDC’s strong culture of collaboration both within and outside of the organization. Realizing this strategic vision in a fast-changing environment will require new approaches including in how the organization invests in people, how and where staff work together, and how to continue building a community where everyone thrives.

The organization’s mission is currently supported by a $200 million annual budget, most of which is dedicated to specific projects and programs; about half of EDC’s activities are U.S. based and the rest are international. EDC is proud of its proven ability to work seamlessly with cross-sector partners, spanning governmental agencies, philanthropic foundations, corporations, and community organizations. Active funders include the U.S. government, as well as a range of foundations and private sector partners.

In 2022, EDC’s ongoing efforts to promote equity, diversity, and inclusion were institutionalized and integrated throughout the organization with the inclusion of a Chief Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Officer (CEDIO) on the Senior Leadership Team (SLT). The organization’s Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) Committee, established in 2016, works in close collaboration with the CEDIO and the SLT to support staff on their journeys toward anti-oppression and anti-racism and continues to strengthen ways to make EDC more diverse, inclusive and equitable.

For more information about EDC, please visit EDC’s:

• Website
• LinkedIn Profile, including its video feed
• YouTube Channel

Job Description

Reporting directly to the President and Chief Executive Officer, the Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO) is responsible for leading all functional areas of human resources. This leader will develop long-term strategic HR initiatives for the organization and have strong working knowledge of the complexities of both U.S. and international country-based employment law. The CHRO will provide strategic direction and recommendations for hiring strategies, HR systems support and mission and solutions-oriented partnership across the complex divisions of the organization. A key measure of success for this individual will be the ability to invigorate a strong innovative culture throughout the organization while ensuring that EDC’s human capital is aligned to its strategic objectives. The CHRO, as a member of the SLT, will be a valuable contributor to the success of the organization by understanding the culture, strategic and operational goals, nature of the staff’s work, and by being a trusted leader, advisor and partner at all levels.

The CHRO will champion a culture of equity, diversity, and inclusion at EDC. The role will oversee the planning of HR initiatives and programs; working closely with the HR team, the CEO, the Chief Operating Officer, and key division leaders on the development, implementation, adoption, and adaptation of HR goals. The CHRO will hold direct responsibility for compliance, employment practices and policies, compensation and rewards, leadership development, and employee engagement.

Core Responsibilities

Leveraging an 11-person high-performing central HR team as well as staff with HR responsibilities in the U.S. and international divisions, the CHRO will oversee all aspects of the HR function, including benefits, talent acquisition, HR systems, employee relations, performance management, recognition, and professional development. This includes support to all EDC staff, including U.S.-based staff and international staff based in more than 20 countries.

Key Responsibilities and Ownership

Strategy

• Serve as a strategic partner to the CEO and members of the Senior Leadership Team to lead the formulation and implementation of EDC’s People strategy. 
• Promote a high-performing HR department focused on EDC’s evolving needs and advance a clear vision for the team marked by collaboration and transparency. 
• Lead and collaborate with the COO and HR Directors to translate the strategic and tactical organizational and divisional priorities into global HR strategic and operational plans. 
• Serve as a strategic partner in EDI efforts in close collaboration with the CEDIO. 
• Formulate and implement new strategies in talent acquisition and retention, including identifying and measuring key results. 
• Craft, launch and lead comprehensive approaches to employee engagement & culture, and professional learning and development opportunities, working closely with the COO and program division leaders.

Management 

• Manage the HR team. 
• Mentor HR staff by assessing and providing development opportunities for each member. 
• Ensure that the organization’s values are reflected in people-oriented decisions. 
• Work collaboratively with primary stakeholders to develop and share key metrics that will inform decisions and actions. 
• Coach and mentor EDC leaders and colleagues to create management strength capable of addressing challenges of a complex and dynamic organization. 
• Maintain an effective level of organization literacy including organizational goals, mission, financial position, strategy, competition, technology, and culture. 
• Handle high-level Employee Relations issues. Demonstrate ability to resolve sensitive employee matters, working closely with the General Counsel.

Operations

• Ensure that all HR policies and programs are compliant with government rules and regulations in the U.S. and internationally in the countries where EDC works. 
• Ensure a strong recruiting program, including in-house resource, partnership and recruiting channels that support EDC’s diversity hiring commitments. 
• Coordinate closely with EDC’s Chief Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Officer.
• Oversee the governance and administration of employee benefit programs.
• Oversee processes and systems for compensation and pay, coordinating closely with the Finance Department. 
• Lead Human Resources Information Systems (HRIS) worldwide and ensure the integrity of all systems. 
• Manage the overall compensation and benefits strategy and strive for competitiveness in the labor markets as a key differentiator. ▪ Design and implement the next generation of performance management for the organization.

EDC’s main U.S. offices are in the Boston area, Washington, D.C., New York, and Chicago. This position will be located in Washington, D.C. or will require at least 8 days (2 days per week) of in-person presence in the Washington, D.C. office each month, along with presence in the Waltham, MA office on occasion.

Qualifications

The ideal candidate knows how to balance a professional services organization model in a mission-driven nonprofit. They will have knowledge of the evolving field of HR and across multiple HR disciplines. They will have expertise in global HR operations, leadership development, compensation/total rewards, not-for-profit operations, funding models, and culture. They have strong experience prioritizing and embedding diversity, equity and inclusion principles and practices. They are highly effective at building and maintaining positive relationships internally and externally and working as a productive member of a senior leadership team. The successful candidate can serve as a strategic partner to all divisions of EDC, naturally building and maintaining cross-functional relationships, leading by example, and is dedicated to the mentorship and development of staff.

In terms of the performance and personal competencies required for the position, we would highlight the following:

• Executive level experience, including team management. 
• Experience working within an organization with a U.S./global dynamic.
• Experience working with remote and hybrid teams.
• Experience working in a matrix organization to achieve goals in a highly decentralized environment.
• Demonstrated understanding of/competence working with culturally diverse populations.
• Demonstrated experience building or strengthening structures, supports, and teams.
• Commitment to recruiting, mentoring, training, developing and retaining a diverse HR team.
• High degree of creativity, patience and energy with a sense of humor.

Strategic Thinker

• A strategic leader who can help set direction and build consensus towards achieving organizational vision and goals. 
• Able to articulate a vision and translate it to various stakeholders, internally and externally, while inspiring their understanding, ownership and support.
• Holds genuine personal commitment to EDC’s mission, and organization’s values of equity, diversity, inclusion.

Exceptional Communication Skills & Constituent Builder

• Possesses top notch communication skills, both written and oral.
• Has the passion and emotional intelligence to compellingly communicate EDC’s vision and inspire employees, stakeholders and partners.

Collaborative

• Demonstrated ability to work in a team environment, build consensus and problem solve. 
• High desire to work collaboratively with colleagues.

Systems and People Management

• The inclination to seek and analyze data from a variety of sources to support decisions and to align others with the organization's overall strategy.
• An entrepreneurial and creative approach to developing new, innovative ideas that will stretch the organization and push the boundaries. 
• The ability to set clear and challenging goals while committing the organization to improved performance; tenacious and accountable in driving results. 
• Comfortable with ambiguity and uncertainty; the ability to adapt nimbly and lead others through complex situations.

Talent Development and Workforce Planning

• Brings advanced knowledge of evolving human resources models and technologies to identify competency, knowledge and talent gaps, and develop specific programs to fill the gaps.
• In partnership with senior leadership, develops and implements succession planning program to prepare employees for increased responsibilities.
• Develops and implement programs that ensure EDC encourages applicants and employees of all backgrounds to fully develop and perform in their roles.
• Implements regular employee engagement and feedback programs to drive talent management solutions based on quantitative and qualitative data.

Additional Information

EDC is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to enhancing the diversity of its workforce and ensuring an equitable and highly inclusive work environment. EDC is a smoke-free workplace, and offers a supportive work environment, competitive salary, and excellent benefits. Women, minorities, veterans, and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

Research shows that individuals from historically marginalized groups find themselves meeting many of the criteria of a job posting, yet doubting if they should apply. At EDC, we value and strive for a diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplace. Equity and excellence are inseparable. If you meet some of the preferred requirements but not all of them, and feel aligned with our vision and mission, we encourage you to apply. 

Total Rewards 

EDC offers the following comprehensive benefits package for all eligible employees: 

• Health, dental, and vision insurance 

• 12 paid holidays 

• Generous vacation benefits for full- and part-time employees 

• Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts 

• Tuition and transportation reimbursement 

• Robust retirement plan with TIAA/CREF (Teachers Insurance and Annuity Association/College Retirement Equities Fund) 

• Paid sick time and up to 16 hours of personal time annually 

• Parental leave 

• Employee assistance program 

If you are a qualified individual with a disability or a disabled veteran, you have the right to request accommodation if you are unable or limited in your ability to use or access the EDC job opportunities website as a result of your disability. You can request reasonable accommodations by e-mailing [email protected].