Vice President, Human Resources

The Rainforest Alliance ("Alliance") is one of the most highly regarded nonprofits dealing with biodiversity and sustainable communities issues. Founded in 1987 in response to the rapid deforestation of the world's rainforests, the Alliance works to change people's thinking and behavior with respect to land use, as well as business and consumer practices. The Alliance uses the power of markets to stop deforestation and offers a "Rainforest Alliance Certified"TM seal for products and services from businesses who demonstrate sustainable practices.

The Rainforest Alliance operates across the United States and worldwide, and employs over 300 people, of whom 65% are based overseas. Currently, the Alliance has satellite offices in 12 countries in addition to those in the United States, with plans to open more. The Vice President of Human Resources is responsible for ensuring that all human resource issues in all locations are appropriately addressed.

Position Overview:

Reporting directly to the President, the Vice President of Human Resources will provide overall strategic planning, oversight and leadership of the organization's human resources activities. Among his or her responsibilities, this individual will oversee the development and implementation of human resource policies, programs and services, including legal compliance, employee benefits, labor relations, employee relations, employment practices and procedures, employee communications, payroll and employee events.

He or she will be a highly intelligent self-starter who has a shared commitment to the Alliance's mission and its organizational development goals. The Vice President of HR should have substantial experience in managing human resources for international organizations, with an emphasis on environmental or sustainable development issues.

He or she will possess superior speaking and writing skills and be able to communicate successfully and persuasively within the Rainforest Alliance organization and with outside contacts, consultants, and legal counsel, when necessary. The successful candidate will be highly organized, diplomatic, possess sound judgment as well as honed interpersonal skills, and maintain a sense of humor under stress.

Responsibilities:

Organizational Development:

• Directs a process of organizational planning that evaluates structure, job design, and human capital needs throughout the organization.
• Develops and implements policies and programs to ensure RA attracts the highest caliber talent; collaborates with Senior Management team to develop annual hiring plan and recruiting budget for all organization positions.
• Ensures managers are counseled with respect to candidate selection.
• Develops and facilitates learning and development initiatives for both domestic and international staff.
• Provides management coaching to senior level staff.
• Develops and manages policies and programs to ensure effective succession planning.

Employee Relations:

• Formulates and recommends HR policies and objectives with regards to employee relations, ensuring HR practices and policies are aligned with RA's culture, strategy, objectives and standards.
• Determines and recommends employee relations practices necessary to establish a positive employer-employee relationship and promote a high level of employee morale.
• Plays a leading role in resolving employment legal disputes.
• Oversees the performance management process; provides supervisory and employee counseling focused on timely issue resolution.
• Protects interests of employees and RA in accordance with organizational Human Resources policies and governmental laws and regulations; reviews all disciplinary actions; resolves employee problems through established grievance procedures.
• Oversees the process for managing staff changes at all levels.

Compensation and benefits:

• Working closely with the CFO, oversees all benefits and compensation policies, procedures, programs and standards across operating locations, including expatriate management.
• Oversees the benefits and compensation strategy planning and administration process.
• Oversees the negotiation, implementation and administration of benefit programs and various employment-related insurance policies. 

Lead and manage the human resource division:  

• Ensure the HR division is structured, staffed, and managed to achieve goals.
• Develop and manage budget.
• Liaison with RA Board of Directors on HR related issues.

Administration and compliance:

• Formulates, recommends and communicates Human Resources policies and procedures for the organization.
• Serves as a resource and ensures compliance with employment laws and regulations; identifies and ensures compliance with legal requirements and government reporting regulations affecting Human Resources function; monitors exposure of the organization.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree required; advanced degree preferred.
• Specialized degree in Human Resource Administration and/or professional certification in HR preferred.
• Minimum of 7 to 10 years experience at the management level in a multi-location environment. International HR experience required. Experience with nonprofit or NGOs preferred.
• Excellent organizational skills and interpersonal skills, including ability to resolve disputes and observe confidentiality. Must have a high level of personal and professional integrity.
• Outstanding ability to interact effectively with managers, supervisors and staff.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to use PC and widely used software packages, e.g. spreadsheets (Excel), word processing (MS Word), and HRIS database.
• Must possess strong multi-tasking capabilities, and the ability to contribute to decision-making. Experience working for a rapidly growing organization preferred.
• Ability to gravel up to 20 percent of the time to major domestic and international operating locations.
• Spanish proficiency desired.

Compensation: The salary will be commensurate with experience.

To Apply:

The Rainforest Alliance has retained the services of Harris Rand Lusk to conduct this search. Inquiries, nominations, and applications may be directed in confidence to:

Jack Lusk, Managing Partner
or
Anne J. McCarthy, Senior Director
Harris Rand Lusk
261 Madison Avenue, 11th Floor
New York, NY 10016