Director of Human Resources
Cato Institute, Washington, District of Columbia, United States
Director Of Human Resources
Cato Institute, a libertarian think tank conveniently located in downtown Washington, DC, is seeking an experienced Director of Human Resources to help develop and manage our growing staff of scholars and administrative support personnel (now about 210 staff). This senior management level position will oversee recruitment, benefits administration, compliance with labor law, human resource policy and procedures, performance review process, salary administration, and employee relations. In addition, the Director of Human Resources will work closely with the CFO and Chief of Staff to develop strategies, policies, and initiatives associated with training and development and other human resources activities for the entire organization. This position will report to the CFO and will have three direct reports, consisting of two managers and one assistant. A qualified candidate will have at least seven years' experience as a Human Resource professional, expertise in labor law (particularly with FLSA, FMLA, some immigration policies and procedures), a strong work ethic, a proactive and collaborative nature, experience in organization and cultural change management, and philosophical alignment with Cato Institute's mission. The projected salary range for this role is $140,000 - $170,000 per year. Compensation is based on the successful candidate's educational background, experience, and skills. The Cato Institute is a public policy research organizationa think tankdedicated to the principles of individual liberty, limited government, free markets, and peace. Its scholars and analysts conduct independent, nonpartisan research on a wide range of policy issues. Cato Institute is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Major Areas Of Responsibility
Define, document, and provide oversight and management of the recruitment, new employee onboarding, and separation processes Drive adoption, compliance, and continuous improvement of the individual performance management process Administer and continuously improve the salary, title, and raise process Become an expert super-user of the HCM system (Paylocity) Drive adoption and use of HR online self-service tools Ensure compliance and on-time reporting in accordance with IRS, DOL, and other government regulators Set, communicate, and drive adherence and alignment to the organization's policies, processes, and procedures; review and make recommendations annually Handle employee relations and personnel issues, consult with legal counsel as appropriate or as directed by Senior Management. Oversee benefits administration and compliance managed by the Human Resources Manager Recommend, evaluate, and coordinate staff development opportunities for staff Support general operations of the organization, help maintain a strong organizational culture Requirements
At least seven years of HR management experience, preferably in not-for-profit organization Mission aligned with an understanding the values of our libertarian culture; ability to successfully apply those ideals throughout this function BA/BS in Human Resources Administration, Business Administration, or a related field strongly preferred Deep understanding of core HR processes and labor law Excellent oral and written communications skills High degree of proficiency in MS Office Word, PowerPoint, Excel Experience and proficiency in use of HRIS (currently using Paylocity) Proactive, collaborative, team-oriented Thorough knowledge of the general principles and practices of human resources administration Knowledge of and experience with sound techniques in all aspects of human resources management, including a proven track record in hiring judgment Demonstrated ability to develop long-term plans and programs and to evaluate work accomplishments Ability to establish and maintain effective relationships with management staff, employees, and network partners Ability to communicate effectively with employees and outside contacts at all levels (both in oral and written form) and handle multiple tasks simultaneously Excellent planning and organizational skills, as well as attention to detail Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, team-oriented work environment Ideal candidate embraces AI and actively seeks opportunities to use it to streamline processes and improve operational efficiency Proven experience leading and managing multi-state payroll and benefits compliance in a highly regulated environment Benefits
Medical, dental, and vision insurance Employer contribution to a Health Savings Account (HSA) Generous vacation and sick days Paid parental leave Employer-provided life and disability insurance 401(k) employer match Transit/ Parking benefits Pet discount plan
Cato Institute, a libertarian think tank conveniently located in downtown Washington, DC, is seeking an experienced Director of Human Resources to help develop and manage our growing staff of scholars and administrative support personnel (now about 210 staff). This senior management level position will oversee recruitment, benefits administration, compliance with labor law, human resource policy and procedures, performance review process, salary administration, and employee relations. In addition, the Director of Human Resources will work closely with the CFO and Chief of Staff to develop strategies, policies, and initiatives associated with training and development and other human resources activities for the entire organization. This position will report to the CFO and will have three direct reports, consisting of two managers and one assistant. A qualified candidate will have at least seven years' experience as a Human Resource professional, expertise in labor law (particularly with FLSA, FMLA, some immigration policies and procedures), a strong work ethic, a proactive and collaborative nature, experience in organization and cultural change management, and philosophical alignment with Cato Institute's mission. The projected salary range for this role is $140,000 - $170,000 per year. Compensation is based on the successful candidate's educational background, experience, and skills. The Cato Institute is a public policy research organizationa think tankdedicated to the principles of individual liberty, limited government, free markets, and peace. Its scholars and analysts conduct independent, nonpartisan research on a wide range of policy issues. Cato Institute is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Major Areas Of Responsibility
Define, document, and provide oversight and management of the recruitment, new employee onboarding, and separation processes Drive adoption, compliance, and continuous improvement of the individual performance management process Administer and continuously improve the salary, title, and raise process Become an expert super-user of the HCM system (Paylocity) Drive adoption and use of HR online self-service tools Ensure compliance and on-time reporting in accordance with IRS, DOL, and other government regulators Set, communicate, and drive adherence and alignment to the organization's policies, processes, and procedures; review and make recommendations annually Handle employee relations and personnel issues, consult with legal counsel as appropriate or as directed by Senior Management. Oversee benefits administration and compliance managed by the Human Resources Manager Recommend, evaluate, and coordinate staff development opportunities for staff Support general operations of the organization, help maintain a strong organizational culture Requirements
At least seven years of HR management experience, preferably in not-for-profit organization Mission aligned with an understanding the values of our libertarian culture; ability to successfully apply those ideals throughout this function BA/BS in Human Resources Administration, Business Administration, or a related field strongly preferred Deep understanding of core HR processes and labor law Excellent oral and written communications skills High degree of proficiency in MS Office Word, PowerPoint, Excel Experience and proficiency in use of HRIS (currently using Paylocity) Proactive, collaborative, team-oriented Thorough knowledge of the general principles and practices of human resources administration Knowledge of and experience with sound techniques in all aspects of human resources management, including a proven track record in hiring judgment Demonstrated ability to develop long-term plans and programs and to evaluate work accomplishments Ability to establish and maintain effective relationships with management staff, employees, and network partners Ability to communicate effectively with employees and outside contacts at all levels (both in oral and written form) and handle multiple tasks simultaneously Excellent planning and organizational skills, as well as attention to detail Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, team-oriented work environment Ideal candidate embraces AI and actively seeks opportunities to use it to streamline processes and improve operational efficiency Proven experience leading and managing multi-state payroll and benefits compliance in a highly regulated environment Benefits
Medical, dental, and vision insurance Employer contribution to a Health Savings Account (HSA) Generous vacation and sick days Paid parental leave Employer-provided life and disability insurance 401(k) employer match Transit/ Parking benefits Pet discount plan