We are seeking a Director of People & Culture to join the team and lead the Human Resources department within the Operations Team at ReFED. This inaugural Directorship will design and implement the activities of the HR department, ensuring implementation of ReFED’s mission and talent strategy across people operations and culture initiatives. The Director of People & Culture will play a key role in the organization’s leadership through talent management, policy creation and oversight, HR administration, inclusion activities, and strategic growth management to meet the mission work of the organization.

About The Organization

ReFED is a nonprofit catalyzing the food system toward evidence-based action to stop wasting food - for the climate, environment, people, and the economy. To accomplish our mission, we cultivate and convene the food community,  deliver actionable evidence and insights, and seed and accelerate solutions and levers. Starting with the 2016 Roadmap to Reduce U.S. Food Waste, ReFED has produced first-of-their-kind tools and resources, providing a full-supply-chain picture of U.S. food waste, cost-effective solutions to reduce it, and methods to track progress. In 2021, ReFED launched the Insights Engine, an online data center serving as the next generation of data, insights, and guidance on U.S. food waste reduction. Reducing food waste will have a significant impact on mitigating climate change, optimizing the use of water, land, and other resources, and providing meals for the over 38 million people in the United States who currently face food insecurity. We are continuing to grow our team to further build our capacity to achieve our vision of a sustainable, resilient, and inclusive food system that makes the best use of the food we grow.

We are a team of doers and we get a lot accomplished. We create outsized impact and everyone on the team contributes to accomplishing our shared goals. Learning & professional development are heavily embedded in our culture at ReFED. We promote cross-functional work to embrace diverse perspectives, experiences, and skills to ensure we are an inclusive and authentic workplace, so if you are excited about this role but your experience does not align perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we encourage you to apply anyway. You may be just the right candidate for this or other roles.   

Learn more at www.refed.org.

About The Work

The Director of People & Culture role is a newly established position within the expanding Operations Team, reporting to the VP, Operations & Finance. The Director of People & Culture will become part of a team that is entering an exciting phase of development. The Operations Team at ReFED is focused on advancing stability and sustainability across the organization as we continue a trajectory of sustained growth. Within the Operations Team, Human Resources is tasked with designing and implementing the employee experience at ReFED. The Director of People & Culture will also have supervisory responsibilities for other employees and contractors working within Human Resources.

This is an ideal opportunity for an individual with human resource management and implementation experience who is passionate about applying their skills to reduce food waste, mitigate climate change, and address food insecurity.

In this role, you will help address the following:

1. Talent Acquisition: Develop strategies and processes for and oversee all talent acquisition, collaborating with departmental and programmatic leads to understand the skills and competencies needed to establish and fill openings. Maintain accurate and up-to-date job descriptions for all employees. Develop new job descriptions for recruitment purposes. Develop processes for incoming and outgoing employees and ensure compliance with federal and state labor laws.

2. Organizational Structuring and Strategic Growth Management: Maintain an accurate and up-to-date organizational chart and collaborate with Executive staff to make periodic adjustments to the organization’s structure in order to achieve the goals and objectives of the organization. As the organization is in a growth stage, serve as the expert to advise leadership on strategic growth considerations.

3. Benefits Administration/Oversight: Develop and implement strategies related to compensation and benefits structures. Annually evaluate the organization’s benefits plan and oversee their implementation by outside service providers (e.g., health benefits, retirement plans, etc.). Oversee administration of the organization’s benefit plans and ensure all employees have access to and a thorough understanding of the benefits available to them.

4. Program Implementation: Perform routine tasks required to administer and execute human resource programs including but not limited to compensation, benefits, and leave; disciplinary matters; disputes and investigations; performance and talent management; productivity, recognition, and morale; and training and development.

5. Performance Management: Develop strategy for and oversee the annual performance management process. Identify and implement performance management system(s) for ongoing opportunities for evaluation and feedback.

6. Justice, Equity, Diversity & Inclusion: Research, develop, and implement strategies and tactics to attract, hire, and maintain a diverse and inclusive workplace that fosters equity. Review current and, where applicable, develop new practices and policies internal to the organization that support the company’s JEDI goals. Provide leadership to ReFED’s staff JEDI working group.

7. Compliance: Maintains compliance with federal, state, and local employment laws and regulations, and recommended best practices; reviews policies and practices to maintain compliance.

8. Advance ReFED’s Mission: Embody and contribute to ReFED’s mission catalyzing the food system toward evidence-based action to stop wasting food.

9. Operations Management: As a leader in the Operations Team, provide leadership and direction to provide a seamless staff, Board, supporter, member, and partner experience at ReFED as we continue to grow.

10. Performing other duties as required by the role and department such that they are consistent with the job purpose.

You could be a great candidate for this role if you have:

1. 10+ years of relevant human resources experience, with a strong preference for applicants with senior leadership and management experience

2. Strong preference for applicants with professional HR certifications (e.g., SHRM-CP, SHRM-SCP, SPHR)

3. Demonstrated verbal and written communication skills

4. Demonstrated interpersonal and negotiation skills

5. Proven aptitude for organization and attention to detail

6. Demonstrated time management skills with a proven ability to meet competing deadlines

7. Proven analytical and problem solving skills

8. Proven supervisory and collaborative leadership skills

9. Demonstrated ability to adapt to the needs of the organization and employees

10. Demonstrated ability to prioritize tasks and delegate them where appropriate

11. Thorough knowledge of employment-related laws and regulations in the United States

12. Proficiency with or demonstrated ability to quickly learn HRIS and related HR software systems

13. Evidence of staying up to date with trends, best practices, regulatory changes, and new technologies in human resources work

14. A strong commitment to the mission of ReFED, focusing on catalyzing the food system toward evidence-based action to stop wasting food.

We think you would thrive in this role and at ReFED if you:

1. Are passionate about the role of human capital in addressing social and environmental issues.

2. Are comfortable working and communicating in an entrepreneurial, ambiguous environment.

3. Thrive in a fast-paced, high-growth organization.

4. Have a strong commitment to reducing food waste.

ReFED values a diverse range of skills and experiences and encourages all interested candidates to apply, even if they don't meet all of the criteria listed. The organization recognizes that everyone brings unique perspectives and strengths to the team, and we are committed to considering all applicants fairly and thoroughly. So if you are passionate about the mission and excited about the role, don't hesitate to apply and tell us about yourself!

Our Recruitment Process

Our recruitment process includes the following steps:

• Initial screening interview over video call.

• 2-3 interviews over video call with different members of the team.

• Skills assessment over video call which may or may not include an assignment to complete beforehand and present during the skills assessment meeting. All necessary information and guidance will be provided in advance.

• References, usually three, will be requested and reference checks will be conducted.

We strive to maintain clear and frequent communication throughout the recruitment process, but due to capacity limitations, we may not be able to respond to every initial application. Our process always includes input from multiple team members with diverse backgrounds and perspectives from across the organization.

Our Operating Environment

ReFED is a distributed organization, with a team of 20+ working remotely from various locations across the United States. We use a range of digital collaboration and connectivity tools to facilitate our work, including Google Workspace, Slack, Zoom, Monday, Salesforce, Miro, MS Office, Adobe, and Insperity.

Our remote culture is built through a variety of means, including 2-3 annual in-person gatherings of the entire team. These events include our annual team retreat and the Food Waste Solutions Summit, a national convening of the food waste movement that we host annually. We also foster team connections through informal get-togethers, ask-me-anything sessions with our Board and Advisory Council members, and peer recognition on our shoutouts channel in Slack. We also have a Big Dill spot bonus program and engage in conversation through our watercooler channel in Slack. Our in-person events are essential for team building, learning, and fun.

Learn more about our culture here. 

Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Commitment

ReFED is committed to creating an inclusive work environment where all individuals have equal opportunities to contribute and grow. We recognize that our success is rooted in the diverse perspectives and backgrounds of our team members, and we strive to foster a culture of belonging where everyone feels valued and respected. As an equal opportunity employer, we are committed to recruiting, hiring, developing, training, and promoting individuals regardless of their gender, race, religion, age, national origin, political affiliation, ancestry, sexual orientation, disability, or veteran status. We acknowledge that systemic barriers limit opportunities for certain groups, and we are dedicated to actively working to remove those barriers and promote justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion (JEDI) in all aspects of our organization. Our commitment to JEDI is an ongoing journey, and we are committed to continuously learning, listening, and improving our practices to create a more equitable and inclusive workplace for all.

Compensation & Benefits

ReFED offers a competitive salary and benefits package, opportunities for professional development, and policies and programs that encourage a healthy work-life balance. The salary range for this position is $140,000 to $150,000 and will be determined based on relevant experience and qualifications. We strive to provide a supportive and inclusive work environment where all team members can thrive and grow professionally, while maintaining their personal priorities and values.

ReFED’s U.S. benefits package includes:

• 100% employee and 50% dependent premium coverage for medical, dental, and vision benefits;

• Participation in employer-sponsored 401(k) plans with up to 4% employer matching;

• Professional development opportunities, including an annual budget and the option to participate in ReFED's mentor program;

• 18 paid vacation days annually;

• 10 paid sick days annually;

• Early closure in July and August for Summer Fridays;

• Paid family leave;

• Approximately 13 paid company holidays annually, including closed offices during the last week of the year;

• Short- and long-term disability coverage and term life insurance;

• A flexible work environment with the option to work from home or a co-working space.

Learn more about our values, team, and commitment to employees at refed.com/careers. 

Shawn Shepherd is the hiring manager for this position. All correspondence should be addressed to Shawn. Applications must be received by February 21, 2024 to be fully considered.