Chief Human Resources Officer

Job Details

• Location:
  
  615 - Houston, TX 77002
• Position Type:
  Full Time
• Position:
  Chief HR Officer
• Department:
  Human Resources
• Classification:
  Full-time / Salaried / Exempt
• Supervisor:
  Managing Director

Founded in 1947 by Nina Vance, the Alley Theatre is a pioneer of regional theatre, and one of the leading nonprofit theatre companies in the United States. The Alley has been awarded the prestigious Regional Theatre Tony Award® and the Texas Medal of Arts Award. The Alley has transferred productions to Broadway, Off-Broadway, major European Festivals, and to 40 American cities.

Unique among regional theatres, the Alley is committed to maintaining a Resident Acting Company and providing them with work year‑round. Nationally recognized directors, actors, playwrights, and designers from across the country have regularly joined the Resident Acting Company.

Artistic Director Rob Melrose’s vision for the future of the Alley is both thrilling and ambitious. His strategic goals include upholding the Alley’s artistic excellence, keeping longtime Alley Theatre devotees eager to return each season, and creating productions and cultivating new audiences.

Rob Melrose and Managing Director Jennifer Bielstein along with Alley’s leadership team are committed to fostering an environment where everyone is encouraged to bring their authentic selves.

The Chief HR Officer serves as a key member of the leadership team, providing strategic leadership across all human resources functions. This role is responsible for ensuring full compliance with federal and state employment laws and for cultivating a welcoming, inclusive, and high-performing organizational culture.

Areas of responsibility include talent acquisition and retention, compensation and benefits, payroll, compliance, employee relations, performance management, safety, and organizational culture and wellness initiatives.

• Oversee the full employee lifecycle including recruitment, onboarding, performance management, and offboarding.
• Manage hiring processes; provide guidance and resources to hiring supervisors; lead equitable, structured search processes designed to attract and retain a diverse workforce.
• Develop and update job descriptions in partnership with department leaders.
• Plan and conduct new employee orientation covering role expectations, policies, and benefits enrollment.
• Prepare separation documentation, conduct exit interviews, and administer COBRA and other post-employment benefits.
• Develop and manage the Human Resources departmental budget.

• Oversee and process bi-weekly payroll; ensure wage and hour compliance with applicable local, state, and federal laws.
• Maintain payroll records and administer changes including compensation adjustments, exemptions, deductions, job classifications, and departmental transfers.
• Partner with the Managing Director and department heads on compensation strategy and market-aligned pay decisions.
• Collaborate with the Managing Director, General Manager, and Chief Financial Officer to develop and renew employee benefit programs.
• Ensure ongoing compliance with ERISA, HIPAA, COBRA, and other health and welfare plan regulations; serve as the primary liaison with benefit brokers and vendors.

• Identify legal requirements and government regulations affecting HR functions; ensure all policies, procedures, and reporting are in compliance.
• Develop, update, and distribute the employee handbook and all HR policies; respond to policy interpretation inquiries; maintain current labor law postings.
• Prepare and submit required reports including OSHA logs, DOL filings, and other government agency requests.
• Maintain complete and compliant employee files and department records.
• Administer all leaves of absence including FMLA, ADA accommodations, and short- and long-term disability.

• Partner with the Artistic Director, Managing Director, and senior leadership to develop and implement organizational culture and wellness initiatives.
• Chair the Organizational Culture & Wellness Committee; facilitate all‑staff meetings,…