THE OPPORTUNITYThis is a rare opportunity to serve as a senior executive and culture steward at one of Greater Boston's most impactful nonprofits. The SVP of People and Culture is a strategic thought partner to the CEO and Executive Team - a hands-on working leader who personally owns the full arc of the people function, from vision to execution.
You will shape how JVS attracts, develops, and retains the mission-driven talent that powers our work. You will build and lead a high-performing People & Culture team, embed equity into every employee lifecycle practice, and serve as the internal conscience and culture steward of the organization.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIESStrategic Leadership & Executive Partnership- Serve as a trusted advisor to the CEO and Executive Team on people, culture, and organizational health.
- Co-develop and drive the multi-year People & Culture strategy aligned with JVS's organizational plan.
- Represent the People & Culture function at the Executive Team level and, as appropriate, to the Board of Directors.
- Provide candid, courageous counsel on sensitive people matters, organizational dynamics, and cultural health.
Organizational Design & Workforce Planning- Lead workforce planning in partnership with the CEO, program leaders, and Finance.
- Design and evolve organizational structures, job architectures, and role accountabilities.
- Advise on executive transitions, succession planning, and leadership pipeline development.
Talent Acquisition & Retention- Oversee with P&C Team, the full-cycle recruiting strategy, ensuring JVS attracts a diverse, mission-aligned workforce at all levels.
- Design and lead retention strategies grounded in data: turnover trends, engagement signals, and compensation benchmarking.
- Build and sustain an employer brand that reflects JVS's culture and values.
Employee Relations & HR Operations- Personally handle or directly oversee complex, high-risk employee relations matters, including investigations and terminations.
- Ensure consistent, equitable application of HR policy and practice across all levels and departments.
- Maintain deep working knowledge of employment law and ensure compliance with all applicable federal, state, and local regulations.
Total Rewards & HRIS- Lead design and administration of competitive, equitable total rewards programs (compensation, benefits, recognition).
- Oversee salary administration, pay equity analysis, and compensation benchmarking.
- Ensure the HRIS platform (ADP) is well-managed and leveraged for meaningful analytics and reporting.
Learning, Development & Performance- Lead design and delivery of fair, developmental performance management processes.
- Oversee leadership development and manager capability programs; manage the organization's LMS.
Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging (DEI&B)- Lead with HRBP and P&C Team, and drive JVS's DEI&B strategy, embedding equity across all employee lifecycle practices.
- Champion Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) and partner with external DEI consultants to implement sustained cultural change.
Team Leadership- Directly lead, mentor, and develop the People & Culture team.
- Foster strong cross-functional relationships with Finance, Programs, Development, and Operations.
- Champion continuous improvement in HR processes with a focus on efficiency, consistency, and equity.
QUALIFICATIONSRequired- Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Organizational Development, Business Administration, or related field; or 15+ years of directly relevant senior HR leadership experience in lieu of degree.
- 10+ years of progressively responsible HR experience, including at least 5 years in an executive or senior HR leadership role (VP, SVP, or CHRO-equivalent).
- Demonstrated experience as a true thought partner and advisor to a CEO or executive leadership team.
- Proven track record as a working leader: personally engaged in ER investigations, executive recruitment, compensation design, and culture initiatives.
- Deep expertise across the full HR function: talent acquisition, total rewards, employee relations, organizational design, HRIS, DEI&B, and learning & development.
- Experience in a nonprofit, human services, workforce development, healthcare, or similarly mission-driven organization strongly preferred.
- Strong knowledge of employment law and HR best practices at the federal, state (Massachusetts), and local levels.
- Excellent communication skills with the ability to engage authentically at all levels, present to the Board, and navigate sensitive conversations with clarity and care.
- Commitment to JVS's mission and values; ability to work effectively across diverse communities.
Preferred- SHRM-SCP, SPHR, or equivalent senior HR certification.
- Graduate degree (MBA, MPA, MA in Organizational Development, or equivalent).
- Experience building DEI infrastructure, including ERGs, external consulting partnerships, and equity audits.
- Familiarity with workforce development, multi-site service delivery, or government-funded environments.
- Experience with HRIS platforms such as ADP Workforce Now or comparable systems.
KEY COMPETENCIES- Thought Partnership & Strategic Influence - Sound judgment and genuine partnership that shapes strategy, not simply implements it.
- Hands-On Leadership - Personally engaged in complex situations, hiring decisions, and culture moments alongside effective delegation.
- Organizational Effectiveness - Diagnoses and addresses structural, cultural, and people-related barriers to performance.
- Equity & Inclusion - Integrates DEI&B into every facet of HR practice with both courage and care.
- Data-Driven Decision Making - Uses HR analytics and market benchmarks to drive people investments and measure organizational health.
- Culture Stewardship - Actively shapes and protects organizational culture; models JVS values.
- Interpersonal Effectiveness & Credibility - Builds trust across all levels with high discretion, self-awareness, and emotional intelligence.
HOW TO APPLYApplications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. We encourage early submissions.
$160,000 - $190,000 a year
