Director of People and Culture

Title: Director of People & Culture

Level: Director

Department: Administration

Reports to:  Chief Executive Officer

Salary: $85K to $95K

Location: Fairfax, VA

FLSA Status:  Full-Time, Exempt

About Us

Shelter House was established in 1981 as a grassroots responder to the homelessness crisis in Fairfax County.  Since the organization’s inception, we have adapted and grown to meet community needs, all while working in partnership with government and private partners and community members. Today, Shelter House is a successful and reputable organization of over 100 employees committed to preventing and ending homelessness and domestic violence.  In the last year, our compassionate team of individuals changed the lives of nearly 2,000 individuals, half of which were children. Our Culture is built from our Core Values of Inclusivity, Collaboration, Accountability, Respect, and Empowerment (iC.A.R.E.)

About the Role

The Director of People and Culture is a key business partner to Shelter House’s leadership, playing a central role in aligning people practices with organizational goals and mission impact. As a trusted advisor to the Executive Team, Program Directors, and People & Culture staff, this role ensures HR practices are not only operationally sound but also responsive to the needs of a dynamic, mission-driven organization. The Director champions a values-based, inclusive workplace culture while providing hands-on leadership in human resources functions that directly support Shelter House’s service delivery.

Reporting to the CEO, the Director will collaborate across departments to drive workforce development, navigate organizational change, and support leaders in managing performance, employee relations, and engagement. This role oversees critical functions including compliance, benefits administration, retention, talent acquisition, onboarding, training and development, leadership development, DEI initiatives, and continuous improvement of HR systems and policies. The Director brings a collaborative, solutions-oriented approach to help leaders make informed people decisions that strengthen the entire organization.

How You Will Contribute:

§  Provide leadership and day-to-day management of the P&C department and staff, overseeing key functions including employee relations, performance management, compliance, training and development, payroll, benefits, recruitment, and HR systems.

§  Act as a trusted advisor to executive leadership on HR strategy, organizational design, compliance risks, and workforce planning to support the organization's mission and sustainability.

§  Own and manage the full recruitment process—from sourcing and screening to onboarding—ensuring an equitable, timely, and mission-aligned hiring experience for all candidates.

§  Ensure compliance with all federal, state, and local employment laws, as well as nonprofit-specific regulations and requirements.

§  Lead employee relations matters with care and integrity—conducting investigations, interviews, and guiding leadership through conflict resolution and disciplinary processes in line with policy and legal guidelines.

§  Manage the performance review process, supporting managers in setting goals, providing constructive feedback, and fostering employee growth and accountability.

§  Leads culture-building strategies and workforce development initiatives that strengthen employee engagement and support operational excellence.

§  Champion workforce development by identifying skill gaps, supporting internal mobility, succession planning, and long-term career growth.

§  Develop and implement training initiatives that promote a culture of learning and leadership across all levels of the organization.

§  Support additional organizational needs as they arise, contributing to the overall health and success of the nonprofit.

Requirements

Qualifications:

§  At least seven years of broad human resources experience, with a strong emphasis on employee relations; at least five years of that experience must include supervisory or management responsibilities

§  Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint)

§  Demonstrated ability to handle sensitive information with a high level of confidentiality and discretion

§  Strong active listening skills and the ability to approach situations objectively and thoughtfully

§  Effective communicator (written and verbal) with the ability to interact professionally with individuals at all levels of the organization

§  Self-motivated with the