Director, People Operations / Human Resources (Hybrid)

About the Role

The Geneva Foundation is seeking an innovative Director of People Operations & Human Resources to help shape how we attract, develop, engage, and retain the people who advance our mission. We are looking for a forward-looking People & Business Partner who understands that people strategy is business strategy. Working closely with the COO and Leadership Team, the Director will translate Geneva's strategic priorities into a scalable workforce strategy, modern people practices, and an employee experience that enables high performance. Geneva operates in the complex environment of federal government contracting, military medicine, research, and nonprofit mission delivery. Our workforce must be prepared to respond to changing customer requirements, program growth, new business opportunities, evolving technology, and a competitive talent market. The successful candidate will think strategically, operate pragmatically, use data to drive decisions, challenge conventional thinking, and get things done.

This full-time hybrid position offers a flexible schedule of 2 in-office days and 3 remote workdays per week. Candidates must be based near one of our corporate offices in Bethesda, MD; Frederick, MD; Tacoma, WA; or Fayetteville, NC and be able to regularly work on site/in office as required. Preference is given to candidates residing in the DMV region. Background check will be administered.

Salary Range

$135,000 - $155,000. Salaries are determined based on several factors including external market data, internal equity, and the candidates related knowledge, skills, and abilities for the position.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelors degree in Human Resources, Business, Organizational Development, or related field

• 8+ years of progressive HR/People Operations experience, including leadership responsibility

• Demonstrated experience serving as a strategic HR partner to senior leadership

• Strong business acumen and the ability to connect workforce decisions to organizational performance, financial sustainability, and growth

• Strong knowledge of talent acquisition, employee relations, performance management, compensation, benefits, organizational development, and employment compliance

• Experience developing workforce strategies and leading organizational change

• Strong analytical, communication, relationship-building, and problem-solving skills

• Ability to manage sensitive information with discretion and exercise sound independent judgment

• Experience overseeing employee benefits and total rewards programs, including vendor management, benefits strategy, cost analysis, compliance, and employee communications

• Experience with Workday

• Experience leveraging technology, automation, or AI to modernize HR processes

Preferred Qualifications

• Masters degree in HR, Business, Organizational Development, or related field

• SHRM-SCP, SPHR, PHR, or comparable certification

• Experience in federal government contracting, defense, military medicine, healthcare, scientific research, or another highly regulated environment

Key Responsibilities

• Serve as a trusted strategic advisor to the COO and Leadership Team on workforce, talent, and organizational matters

• Develop and execute a People strategy aligned with Genevas strategic plan, growth objectives, financial priorities, and evolving workforce needs

• Partner with Program and Business Development leaders to anticipate workforce requirements associated with new business, contract growth, and organizational expansion

• Lead talent acquisition, workforce planning, retention, succession planning, leadership development, and employee engagement

• Build proactive talent pipelines and improve the speed, quality, and effectiveness of recruiting

• Strengthen the employee experience from recruitment through career development and retention

• Lead the strategy, administration, and continuous improvement of Genevas employee benefits programs, including group health, dental, vision, life and disability insurance, retirement plans, wellness programs, and other employee benefits

• Evaluate benefits offerings, costs, utilization, competitiveness, and employee needs; recommend changes that balance employee value, market competitiveness, and organizational affordability

• Manage relationships with benefits brokers, carriers, consultants, and other third-party providers and ensure effective vendor performance and service delivery

• Oversee benefits enrollment, communications, compliance, and employee education to ensure employees understand and effectively utilize available programs

• Lead the evolution of performance management, compensation, benefits, and recognition programs

• Use workforce data and analytics to identify trends, measure organizational health, and support better business decisions.

• Lead organizational effectiveness, change management, and culture initiatives

• Modernize People Operations through technology, automation, and use of AI

• Provide guidance on employee relations, employment practices, policies, and compliance, partnering with legal counsel when appropriate

• Ensure People Operations practices comply with applicable federal, state, and local requirements and the unique needs of a federal government contractor

• Lead, develop, and mentor the People Operations team while establishing clear service expectations and performance measures.

• Partner across Finance, Programs, IT, Business Development, Corporate Strategy, and other functions to ensure people strategies support enterprise priorities

The Leader Were Looking For

• Strategic but execution-oriented. Can translate strategy into action and measurable results

• A business partner. Understands the connection between people, performance, financial sustainability, and organizational growth

• Forward-looking. Anticipates workforce challenges and opportunities before they become business issues

• Data-driven. Uses meaningful workforce data to inform decisions and measure impact

• A trusted advisor. Comfortable advising, influencing, and respectfully challenging senior leaders

• Innovative. Looks for smarter, simpler, and more effective ways to work

• People-centered. Builds trust, accountability, engagement, and a strong employee experience

• Change-oriented. Can lead people and organizations through growth, transformation, and evolving priorities

• Mission-driven. Understands the importance of Genevas mission and the people who make it possible