Vice President of People & Culture

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Full Time Senior Management Hybrid

Woodwell Climate Research Center (Woodwell Climate) works at the intersection of science and decision-making. We partner with communities, businesses and policymakers to protect life and livelihoods from the devastating impact of climate change.

Woodwell Climate is a global non-profit, working at the intersection of science and decision-making. We are built on a foundation of world-class research with the drive to take action and contribute real-world solutions - partnering with communities, businesses and policymakers to protect life and livelihoods from the devastating impacts of climate change. Founded in 1985 by world-renowned ecologist George Woodwell, our organization is headquartered in Falmouth, MA with over 150 employees.

Join Woodwell Climate as the Vice President of People & Culture (VPPC). In this role, you will serve as a strategic, collaborative, and forward-thinking leader responsible for aligning human resources initiatives with our mission, core values, and strategic plan. You will play a pivotal role in establishing professional workplace standards, elevating managerial capabilities, and fostering a culture of accountability, constructive feedback, and mutual respect.

As the leader of the P&C department, you will modernize operational infrastructure and support high-performing staff during an important phase of organizational growth. This position reports directly to the Chief Operating Officer (COO).

• Act as a trusted advisor to executive leadership, department managers, and the Board of Directors.
• Partner with the COO, President’s Office, and Senior Management on organizational design, management issues, and operational alignment.
• Present workforce analytics, policy updates, and progress on strategic P&C initiatives to senior leadership and the Board.
• Manage the P&C department budget, strategic planning, and annual work plan objectives.
• Partner with the President’s Office to develop internal communications that reflect organizational mission, vision, and core values.

• Foster an inclusive, supportive, and engaging work environment focused on staff well-being, trust, and mutual respect.
• Establish and champion modern guidelines for workplace norms, professional conduct, communication, and business etiquette.
• Integrate principles of diversity, equity, accessibility, and belonging (DEAB) across all P&C policies, hiring practices, and the employee lifecycle.
• Drive engagement and retention initiatives to effectively manage organizational growth and enhance the staff experience.

• Guide and mentor the P&C team to continuously improve department workflows and core HR functions.
• Oversee workforce and succession planning to align staffing with organizational goals and develop internal talent.
• Direct the strategy and execution of performance management, professional development frameworks, and manager training.
• Identify human resources trends to introduce innovative and supportive workplace programs.
• Ensure operational efficiency, regulatory compliance, sound risk management, and data-informed decision-making.
• Develop, review, and refine institutional policies, employee handbooks, and operational procedures.
• Approve policies developed within various sub-functions and departments.
• Oversee HRIS operations and integrated software platforms (e.g., ADP Workforce Now, Thinkzoom) to streamline processing and analyze metrics.
• Serve as the primary liaison to outside legal counsel on employment matters and advise leadership on employment contracts.
• Manage complex employee relations with empathy, fairness, strict confidentiality, and discretion.

• Executive Presence & Advisory:
  Proven track record collaborating with executive teams, senior departmental leaders, and a Board of Directors, ideally within a non-profit, scientific, research, or engineering organization.
• Change Management & Adaptability:
  Demonstrated success leading change management initiatives with a highly distributed workforce; highly comfortable navigating ambiguity and resolving issues across functional boundaries.
• Strategic & Operational HR…