Chief People Officer

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Position Title: Chief People Officer (CPO) Classification: Salary Status: Full time

Thinkery is where Austin's children and their families come to enjoy play-based, inquiry-rich, hands-on learning experiences. We believe that innovative, play-based, STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, and math) learning experiences are a powerful way for children to develop problem-solving skills, critical thinking, and curiosity about the world around them. Our exhibits and programs encourage children-alongside their caregivers-to solve creative challenges, explore a variety of materials, and to develop new ways to complete unfamiliar projects. Through these activities, children gain the tools and confidence to develop and grow into enthusiastic, creative, lifelong STEAM learners and thinkers.

POSITION SUMMARY

The Chief People Officer is an experienced equity-minded strategic leader and a key member of a dynamic executive leadership team who plays a crucial role in securing the organization's success through the development and realization of a people-centered human resources vision and strategy. The CPO is responsible for the attraction, development, support, and retention of our most valuable asset- our people. The CPO will cultivate a culture centered in our lived values of playfulness, belonging, innovation, and collaboration by leading the creation, evaluation, and implementation of people-related services, policies, and initiatives. The CPO serves as a strategic advisor to the CEO and builds strong cross departmental relationships. The CPO will streamline and oversee the people focused operational related processes for the organization.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Develops and ensures oversight for every aspect of the employee experience.
• Serves on the executive leadership team to define and carry out the short- and long-term strategic direction of the organization through the development of a strong business model.
• Partners closely with the executive leadership team to ensure that human resource's priorities integrate seamlessly to meet mission and business impact and departmental goals.
• Mold organizational culture in partnership with organizational leadership to ensure Thinkery core values of playfulness, belonging, innovation, and collaboration are deeply embedded across the organization and throughout our guest experiences.
• Supervise the HR coordinator and external HR partners to ensure success and efficiency of our HR operations including payroll, training, benefits, recruitment, onboarding, and offboarding. Oversees organization wide human resources information systems and ensures HR technical systems meet the needs of the Thinkery team.
• Lead the development and implementation of Thinkery's hiring process and intern program, from s to where and how we attract applicants across diverse platforms, communities, and experiences, to interview questions and process, etc.
• Leads the development, implementation, and sustained evaluation of a performance management, compensation, and professional development infrastructure for the organization.
• Serves as a human resources business partner across teams to support people needs and navigate human resources challenges. Establish systems for team members to navigate conflict and submit formal grievances.
• Demonstrate commitment to support Thinkery's dedication to diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility initiatives.
• Strategic leadership and oversight for clear and transparent employee communications in direct partnership with Marketing and Communications leadership.
• Guide managers in the creation, implementation and tracking of goal setting and growth plans. Develop ways to foster employee growth and create a culture of consistent and honest feedback.
• Operates with a high degree of transparency and autonomy, provides strategic leadership and oversight for clear and transparent employee communications in direct partnership with Marketing and Communications leadership.
• Support organizational design and implementation through identification of talent gaps and employee development needs leading to recommendations for solutions.
• Partner with the Inclusion Work Group and other organizational leaders to ensure cultural fluency is deeply embedded in our people processes.
• Streamline and oversee people operational related processes for the organization.
• Maintain knowledge of industry trends, employment legislation, and government reporting regulations affecting human resources functions to ensure policies, procedures, and reporting are in compliance.
• Practice Thinkery's health and safety protocols which adhere to local, state, and federal guidelines to minimize the spread of COVID-19 and other public health concerns.

OTHER RESPONSIBILITIES

• Days and hours of work are largely Monday through Friday during normal business hours. Periodic duties outside of regular work week schedule during seasonal high-volume times.
• Actively practice Thinkery's health and safety protocols. Thinkery requires new staff to be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 at the time of their on-boarding with exemptions available for medical need.
• Other duties as assigned.

COMPETENCIES

• Community Focus: Building strong community relationships and delivering community-centric solutions
• Ensures Accountability: Holding self and others accountable to meet commitments
• Collaborates: Building partnerships and working collaboratively with others to meet shared objectives
• Values Differences: Recognizing the value that different perspectives and cultures bring to an organization
• Nimble Learning: Actively learning through experimentation when tackling new problems, using both successes and failures as learning fodder
• Instills Trust: Gaining the confidence and trust of others through honesty, integrity, and authenticity
• Communicates Effectively: Developing and delivering multi-mode communications that convey a clear understanding of the unique needs of different audiences
• Cultivates Innovation: Creating new and better ways for the organization to be successful
• Develops Talent: Developing people to meet both their career goals and the organization's goals
• Plans and Aligns: Planning and prioritizing work to meet commitments aligned with organizational goals
• Courage: Stepping up to address difficult issues, saying what needs to be said
• Decision Quality: Making good and timely decisions that keep the organization moving forward
• Drives Vision and Purpose: Painting a compelling picture of the vision and strategy that motivates other to action

ORGANIZATIONAL RELATIONSHIP

• Reports to Chief Executive Officer
• Supervises human resources and people operations
• Supports entire organization
• Peer collaboration (internal/external)

The Thinkery is an Equal Opportunity Employer. This company does not and will not discriminate in employment and personnel practices on the basis of race, sex, age, handicap, religion, national origin, sexual orientation or any other basis prohibited by applicable law. Hiring, transferring and promotion practices are performed without regard to the above listed items. All candidates offered a position will be required to submit to a background and reference checks.

EXPERIENCE, EDUCATION, AND CREDENTIALS

• Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR), SHRM-SCP certifications, or equivalent
• Bachelors or Advanced degree (preferred)
• Eight (8) or more years of Human Resources experience
• Four (4) or more years of supervisory experience