Director of People, Place, and Culture at Vera Institute of Justice
On-Ramps, New York, NY, United States
The Vera Institute of Justice is an independent nonprofit national research and policy organization in the United States, and a leader in criminal justice reform.
About the Organization The Vera Institute of Justice is powered by hundreds of advocates, researchers, and policy experts working to transform the criminal legal and immigration systems until they're fair for all. Founded in 1961 to advocate for alternatives to money bail in New York City, Vera is now a national organization that partners with impacted communities and government leaders for change. We develop just, antiracist solutions so that money doesn't determine freedom; fewer people are in jails, prisons, and immigration detention; and everyone is treated with dignity. Vera Action, the Institute's 501(c)(4) sister organization founded in 2021, harnesses the power of advocacy, lobbying, and political strategy to achieve the same aims. For more information, visit vera.org and veraaction.org.
Vera has headquarters in Brooklyn, New York and offices in Washington, DC, Los Angeles, and New Orleans. We are an equal opportunity employer with a commitment to diversity in the workplace. We expect our staff to embody our values of racial equity, collaboration, respect, commitment, and independence—both in our outward-facing work and the internal culture of our workplace. We value a range of experiences in people's educational backgrounds and encourage people who have been directly impacted by the criminal justice system to apply.
Organization Website You can learn more about the Vera Institute of Justice at vera.org.
About the Role What You'll Do As the Director, People, Place, and Culture (PPC), you will serve as the principal steward of Vera's human resources strategy during a period of organizational evolution. Reporting to the Chief Financial and Operating Officer with a "dotted line," advisory relationship to the President, you will be a critical bridge-builder, tasked with continuing to align people operations with Vera's strategic imperatives, core values, and high standards of accountability. You will serve as a trusted coach to senior managers and leadership, while also overseeing strategic initiatives and ongoing management of the human resources function. Whether navigating labor relations or reimagining employee experience, you will ensure that Vera's internal systems are strong enough to support its goals of ending mass incarceration, securing equal justice, and strengthening families and communities.
Responsibilities include but are not limited to:
People Strategy and Human Resources Leadership
Serve on Vera's management team, setting organization-wide human resources strategies aligned with Vera's strategic priorities; collaborate across the organization to align the PPC vision with broader organizational goals
Lead change management initiatives with appropriate transparency, empathy, and clarity, ensuring staff feel supported and informed during periods of organizational growth and evolution
Serve as a primary advisor to the President and Director on people and culture matters, contributing to their learning and listening agendas
Partner closely with Vera's Director of Race, Equity, and Inclusion to ensure all people-related strategies, policies, practices and initiatives are aligned with Vera's approach to REI
Coach and guide a high performing team responsible for people operations, including benefits, compensation, HR systems, people data, and compliance
Utilize data to evaluate the effectiveness of people strategies, provide actionable insights, and drive decision making
Employee and Labor Relations
Advise leaders in troubleshooting staff-related matters such as performance issues and conflict resolution
Work closely with Vera's General Counsel on labor relations strategy, including contract negotiations and the ongoing management of Collective Bargaining Agreements (CBA)
Oversee all employment law and compliance-related aspects of the organization, ensuring best-in-class human resource systems are implemented and maintained
Provide expert guidance on complex employee relations matters, including American Disabilities Act and Family and Medical Leave Act analyses and sensitive internal investigations
Dedicate significant focus to robust employee relations and internal culture building to ensure these efforts remain a priority alongside labor relations and union management
Work closely with the Vera Leadership Team and staff to ensure compliance with federal, state, and local laws
Research, develop, and implement comprehensive policies and practices that ensure competitive and equitable benefits and compensation design to protect the long term well being of all staff
Direct and oversee employee relations practices that ensure equal employment opportunity and diversity while providing rigorous protection from harassment and discriminatory practices across the organization
Professional Development and Performance Management
Research, develop, and implement competitive compensation, benefits, performance appraisal, and employee incentive programs, including compensation benchmarking
Work closely with organizational leaders on organizational design, knowledge transfer, role definitions, performance management, career pathing, talent mapping, feedback, succession + planning, and talent development efforts
Develop and execute learning and development strategies and manager training and coaching
Maintain a high standard for performance reviews and accountability, ensuring consistency in how roles at all levels are mapped and evaluated
Lead comprehensive change management efforts regarding professional development to help staff navigate evolving performance standards and career pathways
Talent, Culture, and Engagement Leadership
Foster a culture of trust, transparency, and staff well-being, acting as the primary holder of employee engagement initiatives
Partner with Vera's affinity groups to build an inclusive culture
Improve cross-organizational communication and serve as a dedicated coach to senior managers, helping them navigate personnel challenges and balance team capacity with organizational goals
Practice effective managing up by providing the President and Chief Financial and Operating Officer with candid, strategic counsel on organizational health and staff sentiment
Model transparency in all communications and decision making processes to embody and reinforce this core pillar of Vera's internal culture
Support decentralized hiring, enabling staff to streamline hiring processes while ensuring consistency and acting as effective ambassadors for the organization
Audit, review, and refine systems and processes to track employee engagement to better understand performance, opportunities, and challenges
Who You'll Work With
You will report to
Chief Financial and Operating Officer, Rob Young
with a dotted line to the
President, Insha Rahman.
You will supervise a team of
five full-time
human resources professionals and
three part-time consultants.
Required Skills and Experience
A minimum 10–12 years of progressive human resources experience, with a track record of overseeing all aspects of the human resources function
Exceptional relationship building and influencing skills, with the ability to develop trusting relationships at all levels and across identities
Extensive experience overseeing the full suite of people and culture programs, including talent acquisition, employee relations, human resources administration, professional development, and performance management
Strong knowledge of best practices and trends in human resources and employment laws and regulations; expertise with all aspects of operational human resources, including HR systems, benefits administration, and compliance
Demonstrated success managing labor relations, including a track record of effectively managing collective bargaining processions
Proven ability to lead organizations through complex transitions and ability to work in an evolving landscape
Track record of serving as a mentor to senior leadership and an advisor to executive-level stakeholders
Professional commitment to social justice and the ability to weave Vera's core values into all internal policies and practices
Additional Details Location and Work Environment This role is based in the New York, NY office. Vera employees adhere to a hybrid schedule and are in-office a minimum of 10 days per month. Senior leaders within the organization, such as this role, are encouraged to be present to support their teams on a more frequent basis, generally at least 3 days/week.
Compensation The compensation range for this position is $200,000 - $215,000. Actual salaries will vary depending on factors including but not limited to experience and performance. The salary range listed is just one component of Vera Institute's total compensation package for employees.
To Learn More About Benefits As an employer of choice in our field, supporting Vera staff - both personally and professionally - is a priority. To do this, we invest in the well-being of our staff through other rewards including merit pay, generous paid time off, a comprehensive health insurance plan, student loan repayment benefits, professional development training opportunities and up to $2,000 annual for education costs and fees relevant to Vera work, employer-funded retirement plan, and flexible time. To learn more about Vera's benefits offerings, click here.
Equity at Vera Institute of Justice Vera is an equal opportunity / affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will be considered for employment without unlawful discrimination based on race, color, creed, national origin, sex, age, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, military status, prior record of arrest or conviction, citizenship status, current employment status, or caregiver status.
Vera works to advance justice, particularly racial justice, in an increasingly multicultural country and globally connected world. We value diverse experiences, including with regard to educational background and justice system contact, and depend on a diverse staff to carry out our mission.
#J-18808-Ljbffr
About the Organization The Vera Institute of Justice is powered by hundreds of advocates, researchers, and policy experts working to transform the criminal legal and immigration systems until they're fair for all. Founded in 1961 to advocate for alternatives to money bail in New York City, Vera is now a national organization that partners with impacted communities and government leaders for change. We develop just, antiracist solutions so that money doesn't determine freedom; fewer people are in jails, prisons, and immigration detention; and everyone is treated with dignity. Vera Action, the Institute's 501(c)(4) sister organization founded in 2021, harnesses the power of advocacy, lobbying, and political strategy to achieve the same aims. For more information, visit vera.org and veraaction.org.
Vera has headquarters in Brooklyn, New York and offices in Washington, DC, Los Angeles, and New Orleans. We are an equal opportunity employer with a commitment to diversity in the workplace. We expect our staff to embody our values of racial equity, collaboration, respect, commitment, and independence—both in our outward-facing work and the internal culture of our workplace. We value a range of experiences in people's educational backgrounds and encourage people who have been directly impacted by the criminal justice system to apply.
Organization Website You can learn more about the Vera Institute of Justice at vera.org.
About the Role What You'll Do As the Director, People, Place, and Culture (PPC), you will serve as the principal steward of Vera's human resources strategy during a period of organizational evolution. Reporting to the Chief Financial and Operating Officer with a "dotted line," advisory relationship to the President, you will be a critical bridge-builder, tasked with continuing to align people operations with Vera's strategic imperatives, core values, and high standards of accountability. You will serve as a trusted coach to senior managers and leadership, while also overseeing strategic initiatives and ongoing management of the human resources function. Whether navigating labor relations or reimagining employee experience, you will ensure that Vera's internal systems are strong enough to support its goals of ending mass incarceration, securing equal justice, and strengthening families and communities.
Responsibilities include but are not limited to:
People Strategy and Human Resources Leadership
Serve on Vera's management team, setting organization-wide human resources strategies aligned with Vera's strategic priorities; collaborate across the organization to align the PPC vision with broader organizational goals
Lead change management initiatives with appropriate transparency, empathy, and clarity, ensuring staff feel supported and informed during periods of organizational growth and evolution
Serve as a primary advisor to the President and Director on people and culture matters, contributing to their learning and listening agendas
Partner closely with Vera's Director of Race, Equity, and Inclusion to ensure all people-related strategies, policies, practices and initiatives are aligned with Vera's approach to REI
Coach and guide a high performing team responsible for people operations, including benefits, compensation, HR systems, people data, and compliance
Utilize data to evaluate the effectiveness of people strategies, provide actionable insights, and drive decision making
Employee and Labor Relations
Advise leaders in troubleshooting staff-related matters such as performance issues and conflict resolution
Work closely with Vera's General Counsel on labor relations strategy, including contract negotiations and the ongoing management of Collective Bargaining Agreements (CBA)
Oversee all employment law and compliance-related aspects of the organization, ensuring best-in-class human resource systems are implemented and maintained
Provide expert guidance on complex employee relations matters, including American Disabilities Act and Family and Medical Leave Act analyses and sensitive internal investigations
Dedicate significant focus to robust employee relations and internal culture building to ensure these efforts remain a priority alongside labor relations and union management
Work closely with the Vera Leadership Team and staff to ensure compliance with federal, state, and local laws
Research, develop, and implement comprehensive policies and practices that ensure competitive and equitable benefits and compensation design to protect the long term well being of all staff
Direct and oversee employee relations practices that ensure equal employment opportunity and diversity while providing rigorous protection from harassment and discriminatory practices across the organization
Professional Development and Performance Management
Research, develop, and implement competitive compensation, benefits, performance appraisal, and employee incentive programs, including compensation benchmarking
Work closely with organizational leaders on organizational design, knowledge transfer, role definitions, performance management, career pathing, talent mapping, feedback, succession + planning, and talent development efforts
Develop and execute learning and development strategies and manager training and coaching
Maintain a high standard for performance reviews and accountability, ensuring consistency in how roles at all levels are mapped and evaluated
Lead comprehensive change management efforts regarding professional development to help staff navigate evolving performance standards and career pathways
Talent, Culture, and Engagement Leadership
Foster a culture of trust, transparency, and staff well-being, acting as the primary holder of employee engagement initiatives
Partner with Vera's affinity groups to build an inclusive culture
Improve cross-organizational communication and serve as a dedicated coach to senior managers, helping them navigate personnel challenges and balance team capacity with organizational goals
Practice effective managing up by providing the President and Chief Financial and Operating Officer with candid, strategic counsel on organizational health and staff sentiment
Model transparency in all communications and decision making processes to embody and reinforce this core pillar of Vera's internal culture
Support decentralized hiring, enabling staff to streamline hiring processes while ensuring consistency and acting as effective ambassadors for the organization
Audit, review, and refine systems and processes to track employee engagement to better understand performance, opportunities, and challenges
Who You'll Work With
You will report to
Chief Financial and Operating Officer, Rob Young
with a dotted line to the
President, Insha Rahman.
You will supervise a team of
five full-time
human resources professionals and
three part-time consultants.
Required Skills and Experience
A minimum 10–12 years of progressive human resources experience, with a track record of overseeing all aspects of the human resources function
Exceptional relationship building and influencing skills, with the ability to develop trusting relationships at all levels and across identities
Extensive experience overseeing the full suite of people and culture programs, including talent acquisition, employee relations, human resources administration, professional development, and performance management
Strong knowledge of best practices and trends in human resources and employment laws and regulations; expertise with all aspects of operational human resources, including HR systems, benefits administration, and compliance
Demonstrated success managing labor relations, including a track record of effectively managing collective bargaining processions
Proven ability to lead organizations through complex transitions and ability to work in an evolving landscape
Track record of serving as a mentor to senior leadership and an advisor to executive-level stakeholders
Professional commitment to social justice and the ability to weave Vera's core values into all internal policies and practices
Additional Details Location and Work Environment This role is based in the New York, NY office. Vera employees adhere to a hybrid schedule and are in-office a minimum of 10 days per month. Senior leaders within the organization, such as this role, are encouraged to be present to support their teams on a more frequent basis, generally at least 3 days/week.
Compensation The compensation range for this position is $200,000 - $215,000. Actual salaries will vary depending on factors including but not limited to experience and performance. The salary range listed is just one component of Vera Institute's total compensation package for employees.
To Learn More About Benefits As an employer of choice in our field, supporting Vera staff - both personally and professionally - is a priority. To do this, we invest in the well-being of our staff through other rewards including merit pay, generous paid time off, a comprehensive health insurance plan, student loan repayment benefits, professional development training opportunities and up to $2,000 annual for education costs and fees relevant to Vera work, employer-funded retirement plan, and flexible time. To learn more about Vera's benefits offerings, click here.
Equity at Vera Institute of Justice Vera is an equal opportunity / affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will be considered for employment without unlawful discrimination based on race, color, creed, national origin, sex, age, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, military status, prior record of arrest or conviction, citizenship status, current employment status, or caregiver status.
Vera works to advance justice, particularly racial justice, in an increasingly multicultural country and globally connected world. We value diverse experiences, including with regard to educational background and justice system contact, and depend on a diverse staff to carry out our mission.
#J-18808-Ljbffr