Senior Director, People & Culture; Human Resources

Senior Director, People & Culture (Human Resources)

Location: New York

Department: People and Culture

Position: Senior Director, People & Culture (Human Resources)

Reports to: Executive Vice President & COO

Job Type: Full-Time

Schedule: 40 hours/week

Compensation: $150,000 - $175,000

Benefits Status: Eligible (Full Package)

Seeking to be an “Employer of Choice” for a 21st Century workforce, the Asia Society is hiring a skilled, innovative, and forward‑looking Senior Director of People and Culture. This individual must be a “player‑coach,” and has overall responsibility for all aspects of recruitment, hiring, benefits and compensation, onboarding and off‑boarding, HCMS, talent management (including performance management and professional development), DEIA initiatives, People and Culture policies and practices, and HR compliance and risk management.

This position will work closely with the senior leadership team and staff at‑large to create an industry‑leading culture that will attract and keep top talent and nurture an inclusive and collaborative workplace where everyone knows that they are an integral part of our global mission. This position serves as a strategic thought partner to organizational leaders and manages an Associate of People & Culture.

Staff Engagement

• Develop and administer strategies, programs, and procedures that promote significant staff engagement and create an exceptional staff culture.
• Regularly review HR policies, propose and make updates when necessary, and train staff on these policies.

Talent Management

• Collaborate with organizational leadership to create and implement resource planning models to identify competency, knowledge, and talent gaps, and develop programs for filling those gaps.
• Design and implement strategic and digitally‑supported solutions in all People and Culture disciplines including recruitment, new employee orientation, benefits, talent and organizational management, policies and procedures, learning and development, staff recognition and appreciation, goals, performance management, and employee offboarding.
• Assist management and leadership in resolving employee relations issues, conducting effective investigations, and recommending action for sensitive and complex situations.
• Effectively lead and mentor the People and Culture team member in developing and administering people and culture strategies, initiatives, processes, and procedures.

Benefits and Compensation

• Regularly review Asia Society’s total rewards program against external benchmarks and negotiate benefit renewals with brokers/providers.
• Coordinate quarterly investment meetings of the 403(b) plan and ensure appropriate plan administration.
• Responsible for advising on work authorization and visa matters.
• Oversee HCMS usage, implementation, and improvements such as adding new modules/features to streamline processes.

Risk, Compliance, and Reporting

• Produce analytical reporting to inform recommendations and business decisions, creating management dashboards and collecting key metrics in a timely manner.
• Implement data and reporting requests and annual benefit plan and compliance needs.
• Manage departmental budget and approve all department‑related expenses.
• Network with Human Resources (HR) peer groups and participate in surveys to gather external HR data.
• Perform additional duties as assigned.

Bachelor’s or Master’s degree

• At least 8–10 years of related HR and team management experience, in roles of increasing leadership and responsibility.
• Experience with nonprofits in arts & culture, museum, education, and/or policy‑based organizations.
• SHRM or other HR certification and/or a relevant advanced degree is a plus.

Skills and Competencies

• Excellent oral and written communication skills, including ability to work with all levels of staff.
• Excellent ability to maintain confidentiality and discretion.
• Ability to work well under pressure.
• Ability to design and see the big picture but also be “hands‑on.”
• Ability to provide conflict management, facilitation, and coaching support.
• Ability to provide excellent “customer service” experience to staff.
• Proficient with Microsoft Office and knowledge of…