Senior Director of People and Culture

The Senior Director of People and Culture serves as a key member of the Des Moines Art Center’s executive leadership team and a trusted partner to the John and Mary Pappajohn Executive Director in developing talent and culture and delivering on the organization’s mission. Responsible for the full breadth of HR strategy, operations, and administration, this role is perfect for a high-energy thinker and doer who enjoys the challenge of fitting HR solutions to business needs. The Art Center values creative expression, inclusion, and accessibility, and our Senior Director of People and Culture will admire and respect the diversity in our workforce, implementing programs and systems that bring out our collective best.

Reporting Relationship

This position reports to the John and Mary Pappajohn Executive Director. This position also works closely with the Board of Trustees and local business & community leaders. This position often communicates cross-departmentally and serves on employee committees as a representative for Human Resources.

This position provides leadership for the Human Resources Generalist. As a result, the following leadership expectations are required:

1. Model the way
2. Set expectations and hold people accountable
3. Grow people for improved performance

Essential Functions

1. Execute a people and culture strategy at the Art Center that supports and fully integrates with the overall strategy.
2. Educate stakeholders, including departmental leadership, on the evolving role of people and culture initiatives.
3. Lead a talent acquisition process that attracts best fit talent which enables the Art Center to continue to deliver differentiated experiences to our guests.
4. Ensure performance management and pay systems are clear, equitable, and appropriately motivate and recognize employee contributions.
5. Encourage a culture of learning and continuous improvement, establishing feedback systems and training and development programs that help our people grow and be their best.
6. Create amazing team member experiences that bring our culture to life, demonstrate our commitment to equity, inclusion and belonging, and engage and empower our employees at all levels.
7. Promote equity, inclusion, belonging, and accessibility throughout the organization.
8. Design and administer competitive and fit-to-purpose benefits programs.
9. Oversee the HR staff, data, processes, and policies, ensuring efficiency and compliance with all laws/regulations.
10. Plan and manage the budget for people and culture services.
11. Manage third-party vendor relationships for benefits, retirement accounts, payroll, compensation review, Medicare, employee family resources, employee development training, and workers’ compensation claims.
12. Proactively manage organizational risk related to people and people processes.
13. Provide coaching, feedback, and support to employees and managers.
14. Handle employee relations, legal, and ethical HR matters with discretion and integrity.
15. Monitor and report on HR metrics, identifying trends and recommending areas for improvement.
16. Collaborate with Finance to ensure compliance of people and compensation data with financial statements and tax and regulatory reporting.

Qualifications

1. Master’s degree in business, management, human resources, or a related field preferred.
2. 8+ years of proven and progressive HR experience, including 2+ years in a leadership role responsible for people strategy and full employee lifecycle HR operations.
3. Demonstrated knowledge of “best in class” human resources concepts with the ability to tailor recruitment, compensation, inclusion, and career development practices to the specific needs of the museum.
4. Strong business acumen with the ability to make a measurable impact on staff and museum success.
5. Articulate communicator with a proven track record of successfully building relationships, influencing, coaching, and engaging with a wide range of highly professional stakeholders.
6. Adept at navigating nuanced employee relations and leading courageous conversations with care.
7. A passion for art, culture and education is a plus.

Work is performed largely in an office environment during normal business hours. This position offers a hybrid schedule, allowing for work in the office and remotely.