Chief Human Resources Officer

If you are a current YAI employee, please click this link to apply through your Workday account.

Under direction of the Chief Executive Officer, the Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO) serves as a key member of YAI Network’s Senior Leadership Team (SLT), driving the creation and implementation of impactful organizational business strategies that define the overall direction and future of YAI Network, centered around its mission and vision to advance the lives of the people we support with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD), in collaboration with the executive team and Board. Designs and implements a thoughtful, comprehensive and multifaceted strategy to build a sustainable and engaged workforce, continually monitoring, adjusting and improving these strategies to meet business needs and enhance total rewards and employee satisfaction. Establishes short and long-term strategic goals and objectives that focus on aligning human capital strategy with the agency’s business goals, creating precise and detailed execution plans that address all aspects of implementation and support successful rollout of innovative strategies that attract, engage, retain, develop and reward employees.

Serves as the organization’s subject matter expert on human resource-related matters, regularly engaging with YAI and affiliate program and administrative leadership, human resources directors and other key stakeholders regarding complex HR issues, to address or identify trends, opportunities and needs relating to broader HR matters, to inform policy, procedure or business decisions and to coordinate resources and efforts, in support of other large-scale initiatives. Serves as chair of the Administrative and Advisory Committee (AAC), an offshoot of the finance committee, governed by its own charter, which oversees retirement and medical benefits for the agency.

Provides insights and overall direction for Human Resource functions across the entire employee life-cycle and for related initiatives through oversight of directors administering day-to-day operations relating to talent acquisition, performance management, employee engagement and development, benefits, compensation and HCM. Creates policies, procedures and practices that support consistency and compliance with all applicable laws and regulations across all states of operation, escalating critical matters to SLT and establishing the most impactful priorities, galvanizing the agency’s resources to ensure financial and operational sustainability. Ensures the continued enhancement and maintenance of HR data in the Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system, improving the agency’s comprehensive system of record for employee data, while increasing accessibility of data to appropriate managers and senior management teams to support data-driven insights and decision making.  

Key/Essential Functions & Responsibilities

• Designs thoughtful, forward-thinking and multi-prong human capital strategies that are aligned with the agency’s mission, goals and objectives with a focus on building a sustainable workforce and supporting financial viability by attracting, engaging, retaining, developing and rewarding employees.

• Establishes a well-developed and comprehensive execution plan to clearly define and effectively achieve the strategy and objectives, with a focus on implementation of the most impactful strategies in alignment with YAI’s strategic plan and organizational priorities.

• Builds a framework for long-term goals designed to position YAI for success, including detailed plans addressing timelines, resources and deliverables and modifies accordingly based on changing initiatives, practicality, stakeholder feedback and analytics measuring effectiveness of efforts.

• Provides overall direction and oversight of all HR-related functions through direct supervision of directors across all areas of HR, ensuring that programs and initiatives are effectively integrated and administered in compliance with all applicable Federal, State and Local laws, regulations and requirements.

• Serves as internal consultant and strategic advisor to the CEO and Senior Leadership Team regarding human capital management and broader HR-related matters, proactively identifying areas of concern and coordinating with SLT to address critical issues, prioritizing those that mitigate risk and support financial viability.

• Directly participates in organization-wide strategic planning and decision-making as a member of the SLT, providing broad leadership and coordination to the agency.

• Stays abreast of relevant laws, regulations and best practices in Human Resources and develops a thorough understanding of the agency’s organizational structure, needs and operations to inform HR initiatives, providing meaningful insights and designing innovative programs or solutions to address operational needs and to meet business goals.   

• Regularly collaborates with YAI and affiliate program and administrative leadership, human resources directors and staff and other key stakeholders to inform the creation of appropriate policies, procedures and practices, ensuring the consistency in application across the agency.

• Participates in development of the organization’s staffing budget and collaborates with SLT, program and HR leadership to identify opportunities to support future workforce needs, including the implementation of development programs that professionalize the workforce and build YAI’s future leaders, creating career paths and effectively engaging employees.

• Provides guidance for complex HR matters and coordinates resolution of a wide array of HR-related questions, concerns and issues by appropriate HR staff, including policy inquiries relating to employment, engagement, compensation, benefits, retirement and performance management.

• Prioritizes development and maintenance of HR data by the HCM team in the Workday Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system, coordinating and directing resources to implement enhancements that improve data quality, reporting and accessibility, ultimately enabling access to meaningful data, dashboards and reports that can be used to inform data-driven decisions by program management, leadership and the SLT.

• Ensures the design and implementation of employee engagement and performance management initiatives that foster a workplace where employees feel included, acknowledged and appreciated and provides for impactful discussions and feedback from managers to drive employee accountability and performance.

• Designs long-term strategy for total rewards, ensuring YAI’s ability to offer comprehensive and effective benefits such as robust, cost-effective and competitive health benefit plans and additional benefits or programs that support employee wellness, coupled with thoughtful compensation strategies and plans that attract, reward and support retention of a quality workforce.

• Develops and refines meaningful key performance metrics for HR-related initiatives and day-to-day operations in collaboration with Board, CEO, etc., establishing methods and systems to collect data and monitor quality and compliance, including directing internal reviews to assess quality, accuracy and completeness of HR data.

• Serves as chair of the Administrative and Advisory Committee (AAC), which oversees retirement and medical benefits for the agency, directing agenda, identifying action items and coordinating presentations by stakeholders and vendors to inform benefit-related decisions.

• Ensures the communication of new and changing policies, procedures, initiatives, benefits and/or programs to all applicable staff, coordinating with Marketing and Communications team as needed to design emails, postings, flyers and other announcements to disseminate information; directs presentations or information sessions for more complex or significant changes.

• Complies with and ensures that staff complies with all Federal, State, Local and other relevant regulatory agency requirements, including the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and upholds confidentiality of sensitive employee information.

• Performs all other duties, as assigned.

Minimum Qualification Requirements including education, experience, licensure/certification, etc. and essential physical capabilities (e.g. lifting, assisting lifting, standing, etc.)

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration or related field; and

• Fifteen (15) years of progressively responsible human resource management experience involving oversight, administration and strategic planning relating to the full array of Human Resources functions, including at least ten (10) years in a leadership role managing multiple large HR teams; and

• Thorough knowledge of Federal and multi-state employment law including ACA, FMLA, ADA, EEOC, ERISA, HIPAA and applicable state and local regulations in New York State, New York City, New Jersey and/or California; or

• Satisfactory equivalent combination of education, experience and/or training.

• Passion for the mission of YAI.

• Exceptional communication skills; credible and polished communicator both written and verbal, with the ability to confidently and effectively explain and advise on complex HR issues, including to CEO, SLT and the Board.

• Strong planning, organizational and decision-making skills, including the ability to anticipate roadblocks, identify risks and think strategically and analytically in a fast-paced and dynamic role.

• Ability to build strong collaborative partnerships and interpersonal relationships, effectively influencing and negotiating at all levels across and outside of the organization.

• Strong financial and business acumen including budgets, staffing and operating expenses.

• Proficiency with computers and using electronic systems including email, Microsoft Office Suite and HCM/ERP systems, ideally Workday.

• Ability to regularly report on-site to our Manhattan office and to travel occasionally across states of operation, as requested.

• Ability to meet essential physical demands of position, including the ability to sit for extended periods, lift and carry files or documents weighing up to 10 pounds and move around the office.

Preferred Qualification Requirements (desired requirements beyond MQRs above)

• Master’s degree and/or professional certification in Human Resources (PHR/SPHR or SHRM-CP/SHRM-SCP)

• Experience administering HR in a multi-state, multi-site non-profit, social services and/or healthcare organization with operations in NY, NJ and CA

Compensation

Competitive compensation package that will include a base salary of $230,000-$270,000 plus eligibility for participation in a management incentive program, as well as an attractive, comprehensive benefits package.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, or status as a Vietnam or disabled veteran. YAI is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

To ensure fairness, safeguard transparency, and promote an equitable workforce environment, YAI Network prohibits the practice of nepotism in the workforce and hiring process.