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Chief People and Culture Officer

Howard Center is seeking a Chief People and Culture Officer (CPCO) to shape and lead a people-centered strategy that supports our agency's growth, values, and long-term success. As a key member of the executive leadership team, the CPCO will oversee all aspects of people and culture—ensuring our workplace is inclusive, engaged, and aligned with our mission. 

Howard Center is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization in Burlington, VT with a history dating back to 1865. Our staff of 1,500 support to more than 19,000 people each year in over 60 locations throughout Vermont. We serve children, adults, families, and communities in a range of settings with a broad array of services for mental health, developmental, and substance use needs.

Consider this position if you are a strategic, mission-driven leader who’s passionate about creating a workplace where people thrive and culture drives impact.  This is more than an HR role—it’s a leadership opportunity to influence how we grow, lead, and succeed together.

Key Responsibilities:

Organizational Culture
• Champion a positive, equitable, and values-driven culture that fosters inclusivity, empowerment, and collaboration.
• Ensure alignment of culture with the organization’s mission and strategic priorities.

Talent Acquisition & Development
• Lead efforts to attract, hire, and retain top-tier talent.
• Oversee employee development programs, including leadership growth, career progression, and succession planning.

Employee Engagement
• Design and lead initiatives that promote employee engagement, wellness, motivation, and recognition.
• Regularly assess employee satisfaction and foster open communication across the organization.

Performance Management
• Develop and implement systems to align performance with organizational goals.
• Provide leadership on performance feedback, coaching, and development.

Compensation & Benefits
• Oversee competitive, equitable compensation and benefits programs that support recruitment and retention.
• Ensure total rewards strategies align with market trends and internal equity.

Safety and Wellness
• Lead the team in promoting initiatives to continuously enhance agency-wide safety and wellness culture

Employee Relations & Labor Relations
• Promote a positive and respectful workplace by proactively addressing employee concerns and conflict resolution.
• Oversee relationships with bargaining units, ensuring adherence to collective bargaining agreements and fostering collaborative labor-management relations.

Data-Driven Strategy & Compliance
• Leverage data and best practices to inform people and culture strategies.
• Monitor key metrics (e.g., engagement, retention, equity, compensation) and report to senior leadership and the board.
• Ensure compliance with federal, state, and organizational policies and regulations.

Requirements:

• A minimum of 10 years of experience in senior HR/People and Culture leadership roles, with demonstrated success in developing and executing comprehensive people strategies that impact all aspects of the employee experience, ideally in mission-driven or human services organizations.
• HR certifications (e.g., SHRM-SCP, PHR) or equivalent.
• Significant experience in managing diverse teams and initiatives across various HR/People and Culture functions, including talent acquisition, employee development, performance management, safety, and compensation and benefits.
• Strong understanding of labor relations, including union experience, collective bargaining, and dispute resolution.
• Exceptional leadership skills with experience building high-performing teams and fostering a positive organizational culture.
• Strong communication, interpersonal, and problem-solving skills, with the ability to influence at all levels of the organization.
• A commitment to data-driven decision-making with a proven ability to use analytics to inform people strategy.
• Deep knowledge of labor laws, regulations, and HR best practices.

Structure:

• Full time
• Exempt
• We offer a competitive salary commensurate to experience

Benefits:

• Comprehensive Health Insurance with 80% agency-paid premium support for individuals, couples, and families (pro-rated for part time). This Point of Service Plan features no deductible.
• Two Dental Options
• Generous time off starting at 36 days of combined time off per year for full-time employees (and increasing with years of service); pro-rated for positions 16 hours or more.
• Agency paid 401K retirement and additional incentive match program
• Life insurance
• Flexible spending account
• Childcare stipend
• Employee Assistance Program
• Employee referral program with financial payment
• Discounted online undergraduate/graduate courses through Champlain College truED
• Award-winning workplace wellness program HC4ME including physical fitness groups for staff, financial wellness incentives, and ongoing workplace wellness advocacy and education
• Voluntary benefits from local/international businesses: discounted gym memberships, mobile phone service, ski/snowboard passes, auto/home insurance, and more!

Howard Center is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. The agency's culture and service delivery is strengthened by the diversity of its workforce. Minorities, people of color and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply. EOE/TTY. Visit "About Us" to review Howard Center's EOE policy.