Chief People Officer

Waséyabek Development Company, LLC (WDC) is a legal entity, created and wholly owned by the Nottawaseppi Huron Band of the Potawatomi (NHBP), a federally recognized Indian Tribe. WDC is committed to fostering the development of a stable, diversified economy for members of the Band which will contribute to their long-term wealth and economic self-sufficiency, while managing risk and creating quality employment opportunities.

Position Summary

The Chief People Officer (CPO) serves as a key member of the executive leadership team and a strategic partner to the CEO. This role is responsible for shaping and executing a people strategy that enables business growth while preserving and strengthening a deeply human, values-driven culture. The incumbent in this position is responsible for assisting the executive team and all personnel in maintaining the positive, supportive culture that currently exists at WDC and build a winning HR team to enable our employees to be the best versions of themselves for the organization, while:

• Formulating policies and procedures for the WDC Human Resource Department which are compliant with commercial and Federal business, and Tribal hiring preference practices

• Developing a Strategic Plan and budget for the HR department to support a rapidly growing and complex organization

• Researching and recommending systems and intranet strategy/content to best serve the organization

• Interacting with the CEO and Board of Directors to advise them on HR matters

• Creating and maintaining effective compensation and benefits structures, as well as career development plans, to attract and retain employees

Essential Responsibilities:

• Build a winning HR team that supports the culture and mission of WDC and works with the executive management team to set direction for the rapidly growing organization.

• Revise and update WDC’s Human Resource and Policy & Procedures Manual to be compliant with Tribal, state, and Federal laws and to comply with regulations and best practices specific to Federal contracting.

• Ensure policies and practices reflect both compliance, business value creation, and humanity

• Develop and direct an effective and compliant recruitment, selection, placement, and orientation program for both the Federal entities and the commercial entities, reducing the cost and duration of the hiring program while ensuring effectiveness and efficiency.

• Assist the executive team and subsidiary managers to ensure that each department is properly organized, staffed, and directed to fulfill its responsibilities.

• Assist the CEO in people and human resource research, plan development, presentation materials and implementation of company initiatives.

• Perform, direct, and oversee subordinate staff to achieve planned performance goals for the department(s).

• Regularly evaluate HR systems and processes at both a company and subsidiary level, identifying gaps and recommending and executing solutions.

• Coordinate discipline procedures with management and executives.

• Ensure Native American Hiring Preference programs and procedures are created, communicated, reported, and adhered to by management.

• Steward of organizational culture with a focus on teamwork and commitment to service amidst a diverse colleague and customer base.

• Able to quickly adapt/adjust focus, and problem solve within evolving work demands.

• Ability to adjust schedule to meet quickly developing needs of supervisor and other team members.

• Ensure compensation competitiveness through conducting, analyzing, evaluating, and applying wage and salary surveys and benefit program surveys per the approved WDC compensation policy.

• Oversee the input, analysis, maintenance, and communication of human resource records required by law or local governing bodies, or other departments within the organization.

• Assist in instilling the philosophy of continuous improvement at all levels.

• Supervise, coach and lead employees with regard to their respective duties and responsibilities.

• Maintain accurate, timely and transparent information regarding employee performance.

• Use progressive discipline practices to address sub-standard performance in a timely manner and carry out said practices with dignity and respect.

• Provide timely, ongoing, and consistent direction, performance coaching and honest feedback through one-on-one meetings, year-end appraisals, and informal in-the-moment coaching.

• Invite and accept feedback and provide upward feedback.

• Serve on the WDC Compensation Committee, interacting with the WDC Board alongside the WDC CEO.

• Oversee benefits administration, including claims resolution, change reporting, reviewing invoices for payment and communicating benefits information to employees

• Foster a company culture that promotes ethical practices and social responsibility; encourages individual integrity and maintains a positive and ethical work climate that is conducive to attracting, retaining and motivating top-quality employees at all levels.

• Other duties as required by the CEO.

Minimum Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Must demonstrate, through verified past experience, that she/he possesses the knowledge, abilities, judgment and character sufficient to demonstrate that he/she is likely to be capable of successfully performing each of the “Essential Responsibilities” described.

• A Bachelor’s degree or at least 10 years of progressively responsible Human Resource experience.

• Demonstrated experience leading an HR team in a rapidly growing, multi-location organization, that includes Federal contracting and portfolio companies with diverse management structures, dymanics and needs.

• Demonstrated ability to develop systems and processes to automate the administrative function of HR, where applicable.

• Demonstrated ability to work with Executive Management to provide input into the people aspect of strategic objectives.

• Demonstrated capability to interface with Executive Management Team members and employees and maintain effective relationships in a team-oriented environment.

• At least 10 years of experience providing HR services at the Executive level to federal and commercial business enterprises.

• Demonstrated ability to identify, assess, and recommend benefits packages that meet the goals and objectives of the company.

• Experience with the HR assessment of potential acquisitions and assisting with integration of new acquisition into the WDC HR strategy and processes.

• Must have experience providing input and strategy to proposal teams regarding HR resources when responding to requests for proposals.

• Professional in Human Resources (PHR) certificate, Tribal Human Resource Professional (THRP) or Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR) required.

• Must possess strong administrative and organizational skills as demonstrated through past work experience and have excellent English writing, oral, presentation and communication skills.

• Ability to pass an extensive background investigation, including but not limited to personal and professional financial history, nationwide criminal record search, and other relevant background information deemed necessary by the WDC Board as well as a drug screen.

• Ability to read, analyze and interpret various reports and documents, including financial records and legal information.

• Highly proficient skills with computers, Microsoft software programs, internet, mobile technology, and other office equipment.

Preferred Qualifications:

• CCP-Certified Compensation Professional

• CBP-Certified Benefits Professional

• CEBS-Certified Employee Benefits Specialist

• Possess understanding and ability to work with and promote Native American culture and Native American hiring preferences.

Core Competencies:

• Managerial Proficiency - Focuses on the development and productivity of employees by setting clear expectations and objectives, providing ongoing coaching and feedback, constructively addressing, or seeking assistance to properly address employee concerns.

• Vision - Supports and builds a shared vision with stakeholders across the organization. Engages others in translating vision into action. Supports and clearly communicates organizational direction and priorities.

• Executive Communication - Communication with other managers and Company's Executive team in an accurate, clear, thorough, concise, well-organized, and timely manner. Strives to avoid surprising stakeholders with emerging information of situation reports. Strives for transparency in all communications.

• Accountability and Management - Demonstrates accountability and responsibility for own work and the work of employees. Translates objectives into meaningful performance measures and aligns performance plan with organizational goals. Achieves meaningful results by putting in the necessary time and effort and following through to ensure quality outcomes through own work and the actions and contributions of subordinates and the organization as a whole.

• Leading Change - Leads the organization, anticipates, and is postured to progress with changing business trends, viewpoints, political climate, and requirements without any performance declinations.

• Developing Talent - Leads employees in reaching their maximum potential by encouraging professional development, providing all necessary tools to succeed, and fostering employee growth and advancement.

• Financial Management - Effectively manages budgets and costs by maintaining effective budgetary controls, constructing contingency plans to stay within budgetary constraints, reducing expenses, and/or developing revenue generating opportunities.

Physical Requirements:

This job operates in a professional office environment. The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Flexibility related to work hours as project demands arise.

• Occasionally required to move 5 – 40 pounds.

• Must be able to remain in a stationary computer position for extended periods of time.

• Must be able to use hands and fingers to type.

• Must be able to reach with hands and arms for using a computer.

Travel Requirements:

Some travel may be required, up to 10% of the time. The travel may be local or national and may be by car, rail, or air.

Disclaimer:

This job description indicates in general the nature and levels of work, knowledge, skills, abilities and other essential functions (as covered under the Americans with Disabilities Act) expected of an incumbent. It is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities required of an incumbent. An incumbent may be asked to perform other duties as required.