Chief Human Resources Officer

About KIND 

Kids in Need of Defense (KIND) is a global leader in the protection of unaccompanied and separated children who are forcibly displaced from their countries of origin. Launched in 2008, KIND champions a world in which every child’s rights and well-being are protected throughout their journey to safety.  

Building on its effective programming and successful model in the United States, KIND is expanding in the Americas and Europe to bring its experience to bear in working with unaccompanied and separated children. Our work focuses on addressing the legal and mental health needs of this population; building strong partnerships and engaging in training and capacity strengthening with governments, NGOs, and the private sector; and advocating for systemic and pragmatic reforms to advance the rights of unaccompanied and separated children. 

Position Summary 

KIND seeks an experienced, results-oriented Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO)—a member of the organization’s executive leadership team, reporting to the President— to strategically and thoughtfully lead KIND’s Human Resources team and all human capital management-related matters for KIND’s globally dispersed workforce. With a keen awareness of industry policies, practices, and trends, the CHRO plays a critical role in ensuring KIND continues to source, develop, and support top-tier talent to enhance the organization's capabilities and solidify KIND's position as a preferred employer. The CHRO also advises executive and senior leaders in decision-making and ensures seamless integration of human resources initiatives with the overarching goals and vision of KIND. 

This is a headquarters position based remotely, with in-office presence required in Washington, D.C. two to three times per month. 

• Leadership and Talent Management 

• Partners with key organizational leaders to shape the organization's plans and programs, with a specific focus on understanding and addressing the impact on people. 
• Develops and executes comprehensive personnel-related programs and processes, including recruitment strategies, employee orientation, training initiatives, benefits programs, policies, equal opportunity employment programs, compensation strategies, and guidelines for employee records and documentation. 
• Ensures the organization's talent acquisition and management strategies, including recruitment and retention programs, are innovative and competitive in the market. 
• Designs and implements cohesive talent management solutions, incorporating coaching, performance reviews, and leadership development. Recognizes the importance of maintaining dialogue and follow-up at all levels of the organization. 
• Ensures synergy between organizational objectives—including tactical and/or strategic business plans—and human resources strategies and initiatives. Translates overarching business and/or strategic plans into well-defined HR strategic and operational plans,  
• Guides and monitors the progress of high-potential employees, proactively identifying positions that offer valuable developmental opportunities.  
• Cultivates a culture that seamlessly integrates succession planning across the entire organization. 

• Workplace Culture Management 

• Establishes a robust diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB) strategy, embedding DEIB as a core capability within leadership and throughout the organization. 
• Formulates, oversees, and assesses strategies to cultivate a positive workplace culture, including employee communications, engagement, and relations across all programs and offices. 
• Establishes and reinforces credibility throughout the organization as a trusted advisor, attentive listener, and adept problem solver for various people-related issues. 
• Proactively identifies and addresses aspects of workplace culture that may hinder organizational and individual effectiveness, ensuring alignment with the organization's core values. 
• Cultivates a culture of accountability, trust, recognition, and results across all staff levels. 
• Fosters an environment where individuals are empowered to contribute meaningfully to the organization's success and learning is encouraged and supported. 

• Other Human Capital Management Responsibilities 

• Counsels the executive and senior leadership team on human capital management, proficiently executing strategies and action plans to develop or enhance programs, policies, and processes that directly impact defined organizational outcomes and mitigate risks. 
• Ensures compliance with all relevant federal, state, and local employment laws, encompassing EEO, ADA, FMLA, FLSA, ERISA, and workers' compensation, among others. 
• Assumes a leadership role in employee relations, committed to guiding the organization in making informed people decisions that establish a culture of trust and strong morale while mitigating unnecessary risks and potential lawsuits. 
• Spearheads initiatives to streamline human capital management workflows, refine data collection and analysis processes, enhance communications, and optimize reporting for heightened functional efficiency. 
• Guides the design, implementation, and testing of all human capital-related technology, aiming for advancements in established goals and outcomes. Directs the execution of standard and customized data analyses and reports that are valuable to senior management. 
• Provides active, purposeful leadership to the human resources staff, offering timely positive and constructive feedback. Monitors the achievement of team and individual goals, fostering an environment of continuous learning aligned with organizational, team, and individual staff needs. 
• Remains adaptable and responsive to evolving organizational needs and priorities. 

• Graduate degree required, preferably specializing in human resources or business management. 
• SHRM-SCP certification or ability to obtain certification within 12 months of hire required; SPHR certification strongly preferred. 
• Must be fully fluent in English. 
• Minimum of 15 years of proven human resources experience with at least five years in a senior level role.  
• Experience working in the corporate sector preferred. 
• Strategic approach to human resource management and the ability to maintain progress towards established goals and objectives. 
• Business acumen and the ability to work across organizational departments to integrate human resources functions. 
• Experience managing and navigating complex labor relations within organizations, implementation and management of collective bargaining agreements, handling disputes, and fostering positive relationships with labor unions.  
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to build rapport with staff at all levels of the organization. 
• Experience with federal contract compliance as it relates to human resources functions. 
• Experience and familiarity with payroll processing and management. 
• Excellent written and oral communication skills in English. 
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office Suites (such as Teams, Excel, etc.).  
• Ability to work collaboratively and multi-task in our KIND environment, managing numerous priorities and emerging opportunities. 
• Excellent organizational skills with ability to work on multiple projects in deadline-oriented environment. Ability to prioritize tasks and delegate as appropriate. 
• Ability to work effectively with people of diverse backgrounds, lived experiences, and communication styles.  
• Committed to prioritizing diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging, as well as embracing transparency and authenticity in daily work life.  
• Ability to remain disciplined and nimble to ensure delivery on our core mission of access to justice and protection of children’s wellbeing and rights. 
• Committed to practicing and supporting wellbeing and a work-home life balance.  
• Experience working and communicating in a remote environment.  

KIND requires all U.S. based staff be COVID vaccinated with the exception of those who have medical or religious beliefs exemptions. 

Application Instructions 

To be considered for this role, please submit an employment application at supportkind.org/join-the-team, along with your resume and cover letter.

KIND has an organization-wide commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion. We strive to create a work environment where everyone has a sense of belonging. Individuals from historically underrepresented or underserved communities are strongly encouraged to apply. 

Disclaimer: KIND is committed to an ethical recruitment and hiring process and maintains a firm “no fees” recruitment policy. We will never charge a fee or ask for money as part of the application process. KIND also conducts all interviews via telephone or video conference, and at no time will KIND engage in a text or mobile app-based application or interview process. For more information, please visit the following website: supportkind.org/join-the-team/kind-employment-practices.