Director of People

Blooloop; Keithville (LA); On-site; USD 110,000 - 140,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Retirement plan (403(b))

Paid time off and parental leave

Relocation assistance

Wellness resources

Professional development and training

Job summary

Chimp Haven in Keithville, Louisiana, seeks an experienced Director of People and Culture to lead HR strategy, strengthen culture and support employee development at its chimpanzee sanctuary.

As a key member of the Senior Leadership Team, you will oversee recruitment, engagement, performance management, compensation, compliance and professional development to advance their lifelong care mission for chimpanzees retired from research.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in HR, business, or related field.
• At least 10 years of leadership experience in HR.
• Excellent written and verbal communication.
• Strong commitment to Chimp Haven's mission.
• SHRM certification or equivalent is desirable.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement organisational culture strategies and staff development programmes.
• Oversee recruitment strategies, including for animal care roles.
• Manage performance management systems and staff development goals.
• Support managers with employee relations and organisational change.
• Collaborate with CEO and CFO on compensation strategies.
• Ensure compliance with employment legislation and payroll requirements.
• Oversee health and safety programme including NIH contract requirements.
• Manage HR budget and collaborate with finance and administration.

Skills

Leadership

HR strategy

Communication

Employee relations

Talent acquisition

Compliance

Training & development

Budgeting

Education

Bachelor's degree in HR/Business

Tools

HRIS

Payroll systems

MS Office

Job description

Chimp Haven is seeking an experienced Director of People and Culture to lead its human resources strategy, strengthen organisational culture and support employee development at its chimpanzee sanctuary in Keithville, Louisiana.

As a key member of the Senior Leadership Team, the successful candidate will oversee recruitment, employee engagement, performance management, compensation, compliance and professional development, helping the organisation deliver its mission of providing lifelong care for chimpanzees retired from research.

Key responsibilities

• Develop and implement organisational culture strategies, employee engagement initiatives and staff development programmes.


• Work closely with senior leadership to promote the organisation's values and strengthen workplace culture.


• Lead recruitment strategies, particularly for animal care positions.


• Oversee employee performance management systems, including staff development goals, training and accountability.


• Support managers with employee relations, conflict resolution and organisational change.


• Collaborate with the CEO and CFO to develop fair and competitive compensation strategies.


• Ensure compliance with employment legislation, payroll requirements and workplace policies.


• Oversee the organisation's occupational health and safety programme, including relevant National Institutes of Health contract requirements.


• Develop and deliver leadership training and professional development opportunities.


• Manage the departmental budget and collaborate with finance and administration teams on HR processes.

Qualifications and experience

Essential:

• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business or a related discipline.


• At least 10 years of leadership experience in human resources.


• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.


• Strong commitment to Chimp Haven's mission and purpose.

Desirable:

• SHRM certification or executive coaching qualification.


• Strong project management and organisational skills.


• Experience building collaborative relationships with employees, managers and senior leadership.


• Knowledge of payroll processes and HR systems.


• Ability to manage competing priorities and support organisational change.


• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications.

Benefits

Chimp Haven offers a competitive benefits package, including:

• Health, dental and vision insurance.


• Retirement plan (403(b)).


• Paid time off and parental leave.


• Relocation assistance.


• Wellness resources.


• Professional development and training opportunities.

About Chimp Haven

Located on 200 forested acres in northwest Louisiana, Chimp Haven serves as the National Chimpanzee Sanctuary, providing a safe and enriching environment for chimpanzees, many of whom have retired from biomedical research.

The organisation is dedicated to delivering exceptional animal care while fostering a collaborative and supportive workplace for its employees.