JOB DESCRIPTION

March 2023

Director of People Talent and Culture

ELLA BAKER CENTER FOR HUMAN RIGHTS

OAKLAND, CA

ORGANIZATIONAL BACKGROUND

The Ella Baker Center for Human Rights (EBC) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization based in Oakland, California, organizing to shift resources away from prisons and punishment towards opportunities that make our communities safe, healthy, and strong. Named after civil rights hero Ella Baker, we mobilize Black, Brown, and low-income people to build power in our communities. For over 25 years, we have worked from the community to the legislative level to free our people from state violence. We are currently working to end mass incarceration and mass criminalization in the United States through Truth and Reinvestment—moving resources away from failed criminal legal policies and into creating opportunities, also known as “books not bars, jobs not jails, healthcare not handcuffs.” Through our programs, such as successful organizing in Alameda County, a robust state policy platform, and national leadership in the movement to end mass incarceration, EBC is building a culture of care to replace cages and cops.

The Ella Baker Center Action Fund (EBCAF) is a 501(c)(4) nonprofit organization and a separate but affiliated organization with the Ella Baker Center for Human Rights. EBCAF mobilizes our communities — current and formerly incarcerated people, their loved ones, people who are low income, and Black and Brown communities — to exercise their full political power and hold institutions accountable. Like our namesake Ella Baker, we understand that true power lies within the people. EBCAF was born out of the vision to further build power amongst those most impacted by incarceration and criminalization. We mobilize these communities to ensure that our elected officials are focused on addressing the root causes of harm in our communities instead of investing in failing institutions, such as prisons and policing, that exacerbate that harm.

OUR VALUES

At Ella Baker Center, we win by doing our liberation work in alignment with and guided by our core values:

The ideal candidate at EBC understands that our work uplifts the leadership and strategies of those most impacted by the criminal system: working class people of color. Our primary aspiration is Black liberation, as these communities are the most harmed by policing and prisons. We practice accountability to our communities and each other by giving and receiving feedback, communicating directly, and building a culture of restorative justice.

We seek staff who are looking to not only transform the world, but are themselves excited to be personally transformed by organizing for liberation while caring for ourselves or each other. Transformation means that we do not turn anyone away who seeks our advocacy or support based on what the state has charged them with. Inherent in collective liberation work — we ask our staff to do the personal work of organizing to dismantle white supremacy and cisheteropatriarchy, and practice anti-oppression in everyday relationships. Our values mean we are building a leaderful movement, with an emphasis on those who have been systematically denied leadership and power.

POSITION SUMMARY

The Director of Talent, People and Culture (DPTC) serves on EBC’s Management Team and is responsible for creating and implementing a strategy delivering an exceptional employee experience; one that develops and retains employees and creates a culture of inclusivity and equity. The DPTC provides leadership and guidance on human resources and culture and leads the important work of further developing and strengthening our culture. The DPTC is responsible for creating and evaluating internal organizational policies; personnel management, and leadership development, including political education curriculum coordination; diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility programs; and overall management of organizational culture.

PRIMARY ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Serve as a strategic thought leader for the organization for every aspect of the employee experience: recruiting, hiring, onboarding, professional development, performance management, promotions, succession planning, and offboarding. Review all policies and practices to ensure alignment with Ella Baker Centers strategic plan and values while ensuring compliance with employment laws, regulations, and best practices. Supervise the Human Resource & Operations Manager, and Administrative Coordinator.

People Management

• Serve as lead on the creation of a compensation philosophy.
• Work with executive leadership to establish a competitive benefit and compensation package.
• Work with the management team to review, understand and execute State and local leave programs.
• Manage a dynamic strengths-based performance review and goal-setting practice that ties individual goals and plans for personal growth with organizational objectives and career development paths.
• Work with supervisors/managers to assist with designing a consistent and effective supervisory and coaching practice across the organization.
• Develop a framework for promotional tracks and a transparent basis for advancement.
• Identify consultants to support talent strategy and initiatives.
• Advise Management Team members, and the Board, if requested by ED, on human resources-related issues.
• Responsible for further development and implementation of Restorative Justice at work practices.
• Coordinate external Restorative Justice facilitators for internal cultural and conflict work in compliance with the union Restorative Justice agreement.
• Support management fulfillment of terms of the Labor Management Agreement.
• Serve as liaison with EBC’s employment attorney.

Organizational Systems

• With support of the IT consultant and the Managing Director, ensure that technology consistently supports staff needs as efficiently and effectively as possible.
• With support of Managing Director, assess technology needs and solutions to enhance the employee experience, such as standardized instant messaging and collaboration software.
• Support the HR Manager in creating a department dedicated to providing excellent internal customer support, including benefits management.
• Ensure that systems are in place to collect data needed to inform strategic talent decisions.
• Regularly review and make recommendations to executive leadership for improving the organization’s policies, procedures, and practices on personnel matters, based on industry trends and innovative practices.

Culture Building and Nurturing

• Champion an organizational culture of support and continuous growth.
• Coordinate and implement Political Education curriculum, along with consultants.
• Develop and implement initiatives to promote a culture operationalizing EBC’s core values.
• Develop robust professional development resources and infrastructure
• Explore the development of affinity groups/employee resource groups.
• Manage employee engagement assessments.
• Propose workforce initiatives based on the outcome of employee engagement assessments.
• Plan and help lead All Staff retreats, End of Year gatherings and other meetings.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS AND SKILLS

• Minimum of four years of leadership experience in talent management, including human resources systems.
• Experience handling individual and organizational-wide technology needs; fluency in industry-standard technology, hardware and software needs.
• Knowledge of HR policies, systems, and related laws and a commitment to maintain compliance with all employment legislation changes, both federal and state.
• Proven experience in handling complex employee relations matters; can quickly investigate and adeptly address root cause issues with managers and employees.
• Results-driven, agile change agent with demonstrated ability to manage the execution of small and large-scale projects or programs.
• Familiarity with basic principles of data analysis.
• Ability to contribute and lead in building a culture of equity and belonging.
• Willingness to address conflict using alternative conflict resolution practices.
• Commitment to the core values of Ella Baker Center, and to operationalizing them.
• Commitment to social and racial justice, and capacity to reflect such values throughout the organization.

• A passion for creating a culture, processes, and resources for individual and team leadership to grow and thrive.
• High level of interpersonal skills, high ethical standards in handling time-sensitive and confidential situations.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including oral and visual presentations.
• Ability to manage a team in-person and remotely, offering creative ideas to strengthen connection, inclusion, and belonging.
• Proficiency with Google suite applications and Microsoft Office.
• Be based in Oakland/Bay Area.
• Commitment to learning & using LGBTQIA+ staff and community names & pronouns.

DESIRED ATTRIBUTES

• Lived experiential connection to Ella Baker Center's mission
• Experience operating in a unionized workplace
• Understanding of the criminal legal system
• Bilingual a plus
• Human Resource related certification
• Familiarity with BambooHR and Monday.com

REPORTING RELATIONSHIPS

This is a salaried, exempt, on-site, full time position. There will be times when the position will be required to work in the evenings, on weekends, at outward-facing public events, and will be on call during office closures. The Director of People, Talent, and Culture reports to the Managing Director and serves on the Management Team.

SALARY AND BENEFITS

Salary range: $100,000 - $110,000 depending on professional and lived experience. The Ella Baker Center for Human Rights offers a competitive benefits package to its full-time employees, which includes employee health, vision, dental, chiropractor, acupuncture, LTD, life insurance, EAP, paid holidays, vacation and sick time, and the option to enroll in a 401k program. We cover 100% of the employee only premiums for all medical coverage. Medical coverage begins the 1st of the month, after the date of hire.

EVERYONE WELCOME

The Ella Baker Center is an equal opportunity employer. Individuals of color, 2SLGBTQIA+ people, individuals with past involvement in the criminal legal system, or who have loved ones currently or formerly impacted by the criminal legal system are strongly encouraged to apply. We do not require candidates to have a degree and we welcome candidates with nontraditional backgrounds. We believe in both the necessity in building a broad, diverse movement to effectuate change and the importance of centering the experiences and leadership of those most impacted by the legal system. We are committed to investing in the leadership of people of color and formerly incarcerated people. If you are wondering if you are qualified to apply, please do.

HOW TO APPLY
Ella Baker Website Careers Tab: https://ellabakercenter.org/careers/

Submit the following application materials:

• Resume or summary of relevant experience.
• A thoughtful cover letter about your interest in the position.

COVID VACCINATION

The Ella Baker Center for Human Rights recommends vaccinations to prevent the spread of communicable diseases. Fully vaccinated is determined two weeks after completing a primary vaccination with a COVID-19 vaccine, with, if applicable, at least the minimum recommended interval between doses. All newly hired employees are requested to report their vaccination status and to provide proof of vaccination.

The Ella Baker Center for Human Rights requires all employees to wear a mask when working within the building and at EBC sponsored gatherings. Employees may be legally entitled to a reasonable accommodation if they cannot be vaccinated and/or wear a face covering (as otherwise required by this policy) because of a disability, or if the provisions in this policy for vaccination, and/or testing for COVID-19, and/or wearing a face covering conflicts with a sincerely held religious belief, practice, or observance.

START DATE:

SPRING 2023

Nothing in this job description restricts Ella Baker Center’s right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time. Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.