Director of Human Resources

Position Summary 

The Georgia O’Keeffe Museum seeks a Director of Human Resources to join us as we build for the future. The Director of Human Resources will oversee the human resources (HR) functions as a strategic partner to Museum Leadership. The Director of Human Resources will lead the Museum’s approach to our most important asset – our people. This includes talent acquisition, management and staff training, critical compliance and reporting procedures, performance management, and the development of sustainable staffing strategies for our growing staff of 108 employees across multiple sites. The Director of Human Resources is the key individual responsible for growing our reputation as an innovative workplace and leading regional employer.

For more information on the Georgia O’Keeffe Museum, please visit https://www.okeeffemuseum.org/.

Essential Functions and Responsibilities

Strategy & Leadership

• As a member of the Leadership Team, participate in high-level decisions, strategic planning, advising on overall organizational and departmental structures, and other critical staffing decisions.
• Lead the strategy for the development of a robust workforce plan for the long- term future of the organization, including the new O’Keeffe Museum.
• Benchmark the broader industry to stay current on trends affecting the talent pipeline and ensure competitive and equitable compensation.
• Work with Trustees as needed on task forces, meetings, benchmarking and data gathering, presentations, and events.
• Establish a vision and lead human capital strategies and HR services support the mission of the Museum.

Compliance and Reporting

• Coordinate the policies of the Human Resources department ensuring legal compliance and implementation of appropriate policies and practices. Demonstrate knowledge of federal, and NM state regulations, and filing and compliance requirements, including but not limited to ACA, ADA, COBRA, ERISA, FMLA, PFML, OSHA, Medicare, Social Security, workers compensation, and DOL requirements.
• Coordinate responses to external benchmarking surveys (AAMD, Mellon, Museum Moving Forward, etc.), ensuring that the Museum is accurately represented.
• Produce staffing reports and lookaheads for Leadership Team and Board of Trustees.
• Work with leadership, including Board of Trustees, to evaluate, revise, and implement HR objectives, including compensation and benefits objectives.
• Foster a culture of safety by modeling best practices, accurate reporting, and training around safety issues and incidents (e.g., basic safety, first aid, trauma response, active shooter scenarios).
• Retain legal counsel as needed to advise leadership on employment law and risk management.

HR Operations

• Manages employee documentation, including confidential information, employment history, and status changes across the entire employee lifecycle. Ensure consistency, confidentiality, and accuracy.
• Communicate policies and procedures clearly to all staff across multiple sites in Santa Fe and Rio Arriba County with respect and a high standard of professionalism, committing adequate time at each site to understand the needs and concerns of all employees.
• Manage benefits administration, including regular review of benefits and bid management, open enrollment, and staff education on benefits.
• Oversees payroll processing for Museum staff, in coordination with Finance team and managers, including oversight and guidance on time keeping procedures, leave, and overtime utilization.
• Maintain the Museum’s Employee Handbook.
• Oversee the administration and budget of the HR department.
• Develop and streamline procedures and processes, utilizing HRIS software and other applications where appropriate, seeking continual improvement of the efficiency and effectiveness of HR services.
• Supervise HR staff in the performance of duties, establishing work priorities, and achieving management initiatives.
• Proactively support the needs of HR staff, developing and implementing HR best practices processes.
• Be a resource for meeting temporary and seasonal staffing needs, including interns, fellows, and volunteers.

Performance Management and Evaluation

• Lead the performance management process ensuring that all employees receive consistent performance feedback that drives continual improvement and informs promotions, salary increases, and other performance-based incentives.
• Provide guidance and support to managers regarding employee performance, evaluations, performance development plans, and addressing misconduct through appropriate progressive discipline.
• Conduct workplace investigations and handle complex employee relations issues.
• Produce employee engagement surveys, analysis, recommendations, and follow-up.

Talent Acquisition/Recruiting/Onboarding

• Lead the recruitment process of all employees to ensure a talented, diverse, engaged workforce who can deliver on the Museum’s mission. Examine employment needs in the organization, develop and implement proactive talent acquisition strategies, provide support in the development of position descriptions, guide and supports hiring managers in interview and selection, and oversee the finalization of employment offer letters.
• Oversee background checks and other means to verify candidate suitability for employment.
• Coordinate an organization-wide approach to onboarding and supporting new employees to introduce them to our culture, provide essential knowledge, and regular follow-up training and check-ins.
• Cultivate a holistic approach to drive employee development and performance to continually improve effectiveness and job satisfaction. Ensure that the Museum’s approach to staffing is thoughtfully planned, well implemented, and considers the differing needs of employees at all levels of the organization.

Skills/Abilities

• Well-developed managerial, decision-making, planning, organizational, problem- resolution and leadership skills. Demonstrated ability to manage people and inspire a high level of commitment and performance.
• Excellent analytical and project management skills. Ability to understand and explain the underlying rationale of HR policies, articulate policies and plans clearly, identify, and solve emerging HR problems, and proactively minimize legal risk.
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively, build consensus, and foster teamwork and customer service.
• Excellent judgment, supported by strong interpersonal, written, and oral communication skills.
• Accountable for outstanding customer service to all internal team members and external contacts.

Candidate Profile 

While it is understood that no one candidate will bring every desired skill, characteristic, and experience, the following offers a reflection of the ideal candidate profile:

 Strategic Human Resources Leadership

The Director of Human Resources will bring the ability to develop and implement HR strategies that align with The O’Keeffe Museum’s mission, vision, and values. This includes creating a positive and inclusive work culture, promoting accountability, and ensuring compliance with laws and regulations. The ideal candidate should have experience in leading HR initiatives, managing conflicts, and making tough decisions.

 Collaboration and Influence

The Director of Human Resources will possess the ability to build strong relationships with various stakeholders, including department heads, managers, and employees. This includes influencing others to adopt new processes and procedures, negotiating with departments to ensure cooperation, and facilitating communication across the organization. The ideal candidate should have excellent interpersonal skills, be able to navigate complex organizational dynamics, and have a strong ability to persuade and influence others.

 Compliance and Risk Management 

The Director of Human Resources will be able to ensure compliance with laws, regulations, and organizational policies. This includes staying up to date on changing regulations, managing risk, and implementing processes to prevent errors or misconduct. The ideal candidate should have a strong understanding of employment law, be able to interpret policies and procedures, and have experience in conducting investigations and implementing disciplinary actions.

 Operational Efficiency and Project Management

This leader will have the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously, prioritize tasks, and ensure timely completion of HR-related tasks. This includes developing processes for onboarding new employees, managing benefits and payroll, and ensuring that all HR-related functions are running smoothly. The ideal candidate should have experience in managing HR operations, be able to analyze processes and identify areas for improvement, and have strong project management skills.

 Qualifications

Bachelor’s Degree in any related field and twelve (12) years of experience in human resource operations; recruitment, selection, payroll, compensation, and benefits administration and/or occupational analysis. Five (5) years of supervisory experience as it pertains to the essential duties and responsibilities of this classification.

• HR certification (e.g., PHR, SHRM-CP) is preferred.
• Extensive experience in HR leadership, preferably within museum or non-profit settings.
• Technological savvy, knowledge of Microsoft Office suite (e.g., Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and familiarity with various HRIS platforms and related applications.

Compensation and Benefits

Salary range is $130,000-$140,000 based on experience.

This position is eligible for our full benefits package including medical, dental, vision, Life Insurance and Short/Long Term disability, 403b retirement plan with employer match, museum membership, retail store discount, Employee Assistance Program, PTO, Paid Holidays and more.

Contact

Koya Partners, the executive search firm that specializes in mission-driven search, has been exclusively retained for this engagement. The O'Keeffe Museum has engaged Naree Viner and Tenley Bank for this search. To express interest in this role please submit your materials using the button at the top of this page. All inquiries and discussions will be considered strictly confidential.

The Georgia O’Keeffe Museum is an equal opportunity employer and considers all candidates for employment based on such factors as knowledge, education, skill, experience, the ability to perform required activities and availability, and without regard to race, religion, color, sex, sexual orientation, age, ancestry, citizenship, national origin, disability or any other legally protected status.