Senior Director of HR and People Operations

Position Title: Senior Director of HR and People OperationsLocation: Atlanta, GA (On-site/Hybrid)Reports To: Chief Operating Officer (COO)Position Overview:The Senior Director of HR and People Operations will play a strategic leadership role, overseeing all aspects of Human Resources and People Operations within the CDC Foundation. This individual will lead efforts in talent management, organizational development, employee engagement, HR compliance, and benefits management for the Foundation’s core and field staff, as well as supporting emergency surge workforce initiatives. They will work closely with the COO and senior leadership to align HR strategies with the organization's goals, fostering a culture of respect, diversity, inclusion, and collaboration.

Key Responsibilities

• Strategic Leadership & HR Alignment
• Provide vision and leadership for the development and execution of HR and People Operations strategies that support the overall business objectives and drive a high-performance culture.
• Collaborate with the COO and senior leadership to develop HR plans that align with the CDC Foundation’s strategic goals.
• Lead organizational design efforts and change management initiatives to ensure organizational structures are optimized for efficiency and growth.
• Talent Acquisition & Workforce Planning
• Lead recruitment and workforce planning initiatives, including efforts to support rapid response staffing for public health emergencies.
• Develop and implement talent acquisition strategies to attract, hire, and retain top talent.
• Oversee the onboarding process to ensure new employees are fully integrated and set up for success.
• Employee Relations & Engagement
• Serve as a key advisor to senior management on HR-related matters, ensuring consistent and equitable policies and practices.
• Champion employee engagement initiatives, driving a positive workplace culture that reflects the Foundation’s values of diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIAB).
• Address employee concerns and conflicts with a focus on resolution, fairness, and transparency.
• HR Operations & Compliance
• Oversee HR operations, including benefits administration, compensation, employee relations, and compliance with local, state, and federal employment laws.
• Ensure all HR-related processes are efficient and in compliance with the Foundation’s policies and legal requirements.
• Lead continuous improvement initiatives to enhance operational efficiency and employee experience.
• Learning & Development
• Design and implement employee training and development programs to support leadership development, professional growth, and organizational effectiveness.
• Work closely with management to identify and implement development plans and succession planning strategies.
• Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Accessibility, and Belonging (DEIAB)
• Partner with the leadership team, DEIAB work group to assist in advancing DEIAB initiatives and integrate these principles into all HR policies and practices.
• Foster an inclusive work environment that promotes diversity of thought, backgrounds, and experiences.
• HR Data & Metrics
• Utilize HR metrics to drive data-informed decision-making, focusing on key areas such as retention, employee engagement, diversity, and talent acquisition.
• Develop dashboards and reporting mechanisms to provide regular insights to senior leadership on workforce trends and HR performance.
• Leadership of the HR Team
• Lead, mentor, and develop the HR and People Operations team to ensure high levels of service delivery and professionalism.
• Provide leadership for cross-functional teams on various HR projects and initiatives

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or related field. Master’s degree or relevant certifications (e.g., SPHR, SHRM-SCP) preferred.
• 10 years of progressive HR experience.
• Experience in a leadership role overseeing multi-functional HR teams.
• Proven experience in workforce planning, particularly in supporting large-scale or rapid response initiatives.
• Strong understanding of HR policies, compliance, and best practices.
• Ability to manage competing priorities in a fast-paced, high-demand environment.
• Excellent communication, leadership, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively across multiple departments and levels of leadership.

Preferred Skills

• Experience in the nonprofit, healthcare, or public health sector.
• Strong problem-solving and conflict resolution skills.
• Demonstrated ability to lead HR transformations and change management