Chief Human Resources Officer

ABOUT THE JOB

The ACLU seeks applicants for the full-time position of Chief Human Resources Officer in the HR Department of the ACLU’s National office in New York, NY. This is a hybrid role that has in-office requirements of two (2) days per week or eight (8) days per month. 

People are at the center of the ACLU’s mission and work. The ACLU is dedicated to cultivating the careers and well-being of an employee base of 650+ people (of which 425 sit within two separate unions) who are the heart of the institution. 

The ACLU seeks a strategic, people-centric, collaborative, and visionary Chief Human Resources Officer. The Human Resources team invests in the welfare and development of the ACLU’s employees by creating a place where people love to work, grow their careers, and contribute to the success of the organization. The Human Resources department oversees the entire employee lifecycle and strives to create a best-in-class employee experience through its recruiting and outreach efforts, total rewards, onboarding, learning and development initiatives, and ongoing employee engagement. The Human Resources team is responsible for creating, strengthening, and sustaining the programs, processes, and policies that empower and grow its people, support and advance the institution, and enable the ACLU to deliver on its mission.

WHAT YOU'LL DO 

Reporting to the Chief Operating Officer, the Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO) is a critical member of the senior leadership team. The CHRO is the key advisor, expert, and strategic business partner to the Executive Director, and the Senior Leadership team on all Human Resources and People matters. The CHRO develops and leads the people strategy that aligns with the ACLU’s organizational goals and values to operationalize the ACLU’s strategic vision and mission. The CHRO leads the development of policies and the shaping of the culture that impacts the ACLU’s most valuable resource, its staff. Alongside its team of 13 HR professionals, the CHRO helps create an environment that both meets the collective needs of our workforce and cultivates an inclusive, accessible, and high performing organizational culture.

The successful CHRO candidate will be an experienced Human Resources leader with deep generalist expertise in the core HR functions, a strategic and trusted advisor to senior leadership who balances strategic influence with effective employee advocacy, and a dynamic and influential people manager. They will also have experience leading complex, highly unionized organizations with hybrid and remote staff and have a demonstrated passion for the work of the ACLU.

YOUR DAY TO DAY

The CHRO’s essential duties and responsibilities include:

Leadership & Strategy

• Develop and implement a comprehensive vision and strategy for the ACLU’s human resources function that centers staff experience, aligns with organizational goals and values, and ensures compliance with internal policies and relevant government regulations
• Serve on the Senior Leadership Team, providing expert guidance to organizational leadership on matters of workforce planning, employee relations, compensation, benefits, performance management, people management culture, and other HR topics to help shape organizational practices, guide strategic planning and resolve active and anticipated issues
• Partner with the Strategy and Culture Team and organizational leadership to advance the culture of the ACLU, including embedding principles of equity, diversity, inclusion, accessibility, and belonging in all HR work, including organizational practices and policy and program development and application
• Staff the board Retirement Committee, overseeing the preparation of meeting content and providing counsel to management and committee members on matters related to the ACLU’s defined benefit and defined contribution retirement plans. Participate in various board and board committee meetings as necessary
  

HR Operations

• Oversee the day-to-day operations of the Human Resources team, including talent acquisition and development, employee engagement, performance management, employee and labor relations, compensation, benefits, pipeline programs, on- and off-boarding, compliance, HRIS systems, records, and data
• Effectively lead and manage the Human Resources team, driving results using data, direct feedback, and strong accountability in a supportive and learning environment that fosters high staff engagement, high performance and professional growth
• Lead and direct the HR team in designing and implementing effective HR programs, policies, training, and initiatives that drive employee engagement and manage performance, support ongoing and strategic professional development and retention that ensures the ACLU is an “employer of choice “while aligning with organizational objectives and government regulations
• Lead the evaluation of HR programs, policies, and systems. Assess their efficacy in maintaining the desired workplace environment, staff culture, management practices, and administrative procedures. Effectively uses data to inform decision-making, guide policy and evaluate performance of projects and initiatives
• Oversee the HR department’s annual budget and quarterly forecasts, ensuring efficient and effective use of the organization’s resources
• Oversee the design and monitoring of metrics that provide useful insights into organizational staffing trends and HR team service performance
• Stay abreast of the evolving legal landscape in areas such as labor law and ERISA regulations in partnership with in-house counsel team and implement strategies to mitigate HR-related financial, regulatory compliance, and litigation risks

FUTURE ACLU'ERS WILL 

• Be committed to advancing the mission of the ACLU
• Center and embed the principles of equity, inclusion and belonging in their work by demonstrating commitment to diversity with an approach that respects and values multiple perspectives
• Be committed to work collaboratively and respectfully toward resolving obstacles and conflicts

WHAT YOU'LL BRING

The ACLU is highly interested in a visionary and transformative CHRO with the drive and expertise to transform the HR function into a strategic business partner service delivery model that aligns with the ACLU’s mission, values, and strategic objectives. The CHRO will champion a progressive, people-centered HR approach that balances empathy with the organizational savvy required to support a decentralized, policy-oriented, and advocacy-driven environment. Bringing extensive leadership and operational experiences across HR disciplines, the CHRO will be a collaborative, influential partner who is dedicated to embedding Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (DEIA) into every layer of the organization’s culture and operations.

Leveraging their significant experience in leading the HR function for complex, policy-oriented organizations and staff represented by labor unions, this leader will build trust and alignment through consultative leadership, operational rigor, and a commitment to employee well-being, growth, and professional development. As a forward-thinking and strategic HR executive, the CHRO will guide cultural transformation, ensuring that the ACLU is positioned to adapt, thrive, and withstand the economic realities that emerge as a result of various presidential elections while meeting the diverse needs of its dedicated workforce.

The successful candidate will possess the following background, experiences, and attributes:

Background and Experience

• Comprehensive HR Leadership with a Unionized Workforce: Proven expertise across HR disciplines and a command for the fundamental HR best practices, including talent management, workforce planning, and succession planning, with a strong foundation in compensation frameworks. Demonstrated success in directing the negotiation and administration of collective bargaining agreements, enabling the CHRO to lead a holistic, strategic HR function
• Progressive, Strategic Vision: Brings a track record of developing and executing forward-thinking HR strategies that align with an organization’s mission and evolving goals, including experience leading organizational restructuring toward a more strategic HR model
• Adaptability in Cultural Transformation: Skilled at navigating organizational culture shifts, with DEIA as a guiding principle and a clear vision for defining and integrating internal values within a complex and evolving organizational environment. Experience in Decentralized, Mission-Driven Environments: Extensive experience in large, decentralized, expert-driven organizations where consultative leadership and collaborative influence are crucial
• Advocacy and Policy Familiarity: Background in advocacy, nonprofit, or policy-focused workplace environments
  

Key Attributes

• People-Centered and Empathetic: Embodies a deep commitment to supporting staff and prioritizing the human experience, approaching challenges with sensitivity and a nuanced understanding of diverse employee needs
• Influential and Confident Communicator: A high-EQ leader skilled in navigating complex conversations and building trust through clear, authoritative, and thoughtful communication that resonates with a diverse, mission-driven workforce. Capable of translating complex HR policies and strategies into clear, accessible messages that engage and resonate with varied audiences across the organization.
• Strategic and Creative Problem Solver: Brings a consultative, solution-focused approach to complex issues, from policy design to talent strategy and workforce planning, always prioritizing both the people and mission of the organization.
• Collaborative, Humble, and Resilient: Leads with humility and resilience, fostering a collaborative team environment and navigating tension with strength and diplomacy in high-stakes situations
• Visionary Builder of Internal Culture:  Drives internal culture transformation by defining and embedding values that resonate with staff and align with the ACLU’s mission, fostering genuine engagement and alignment at every level
• Integrity-Driven with Operational Expertise: Maintains a high degree of operational insight, uses excellent judgment and upholds a high level of discretion in handling confidential information. Combines strong values with ensuring policies and procedures are both robust and adaptable, safeguarding the organization while fostering an environment of transparency and trust.

COMPENSATION

TO APPLY

The position is open until filled. First consideration will be given to applications received by January 6, 2025. To apply for this outstanding opportunity, please electronically submit your resume and a cover letter of interest to The Byers Group: ACLU.CHRO@byersgroupca.com. The letter of interest should outline why you are interested in joining the ACLU and your relevant accomplishments.

CONFIDENTIAL INQUIRIES ARE ENCOURAGED AND  CAN BE DIRECTED TO:

Ms. Brett Byers: brett@byersgroupca.com 323-403-8279
Ms. Christine Boulware: christine@byersgroupca.com 312-391-6098

WHY THE ACLU

For over 100 years, the ACLU has worked to defend and preserve the individual rights and liberties guaranteed by the Constitution and laws of the United States. Whether it’s ending mass incarceration, achieving full equality for the LGBTQ+ community, establishing new privacy protections for our digital age, or preserving the right to vote or the right to have an abortion, the ACLU takes up the toughest civil liberties cases and issues to defend all people.

We know that great people make a great organization. We value our people and know that what we offer is essential not just their work, but to their overall well-being. 

At the ACLU, we offer a broad range of benefits, which include:

• Time away to focus on the things that matter with a generous paid-time off policy
• Focus on your well-being with comprehensive healthcare benefits (including medical, dental and vision coverage, parental leave, gender affirming care & fertility treatment)
• Plan for your retirement with 401k plan and employer match
• We support employee growth and development through annual professional development funds, internal professional development programs and workshops

OUR COMMITMENT TO ACCESSIBILITY, EQUITY, DIVERSITY & INCLUSION

Accessibility, equity, diversity and inclusion are core values of the ACLU and central to our work to advance liberty, equality, and justice for all. For us diversity, equity, accessibility, and inclusion are not just check-the-box activities, but a chance for us to make long-term meaningful change.  We are a community committed to learning and growth, humility and grace, transparency and accountability. We believe in a collective responsibility to create a culture of belonging for all people within our organization – one that respects and embraces difference; treats everyone equitably; and empowers our colleagues to do the best work possible. We are as committed to anti-oppression, anti-ableism, and anti-racism internally as we are externally. Because whether we’re in the courts or in the office, we believe ‘We the People’ means all of us.

With this commitment in mind, we strongly encourage applications from all qualified individuals without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, national origin, marital status, citizenship, disability, veteran status and record of arrest or conviction, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.    

The ACLU is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to individuals with disabilities. If you are a qualified individual with a disability and need assistance applying online, please email benefits.hrdept@aclu.org. If you are selected for an interview, you will receive additional information regarding how to request an accommodation for the interview process.

The Department of Education has determined that employment in this position at the ACLU does not qualify for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.