Chief People Officer (CPO), Board Member (Three-Year Term)- Remote 2026-2028

Women of Color On The Move (WOCOTM) is a nonprofit organization founded on the vision of healing, empowerment, and transformation for women and families who have been historically marginalized. Since our founding, we have worked tirelessly to create pathways of support, education, and leadership for women of color—especially those impacted by poverty, trauma, substance abuse, and systemic injustice.

About Women Of Color On The Move

Women of Color on the Move (WOCOTM) is a nonprofit public benefit organization committed to empowering historically marginalized communities by advancing health equity, economic empowerment, education, and social justice. Since its founding in 2014, WOCOTM has delivered community-based education, advocacy, prevention, and support programs addressing issues such as substance abuse, maternal and child health, youth development, financial literacy, and community engagement both in the U.S. and internationally. Our vision is to create a world where all individuals, regardless of race, gender, or socioeconomic background, have access to opportunities to thrive.

Position Overview

We are seeking a mission-driven Chief People Officer (CPO) to serve as a Board-appointed officer and member of the Board of Directors. The CPO provides strategic and fiduciary leadership over the organization’s human capital strategy, workforce governance, and organizational culture. This governance-focused role ensures that talent development, succession planning, volunteer engagement, compliance, and culture initiatives align with the organization’s mission and long-term sustainability. The CPO works closely with executive leadership and fellow board members to strengthen workforce planning, mitigate people-related risks, and enhance organizational effectiveness.

The Chief of People—sometimes called Chief People Officer (CPO)—is an executive-level role dedicated to the human side of organizational performance. In a nonprofit context, this means championing culture, talent, and the well-being of every team member who carries out WOCOTM’s mission. In mission-driven organizations, people are the product. A Chief of People ensures that investment in your team is strategic and sustained.

This is a non-paid, volunteer board leadership position with a three-year term.

Why This Is a Meaningful Opportunity

• Shape the organization’s people strategy and workforce sustainability.
• Strengthen leadership succession planning and talent development frameworks.
• Promote diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging in governance and operations.
• Enhance organizational culture, engagement, and accountability.
• Provide board-level oversight of HR governance, compliance, and risk management.
• Expand governance experience in human capital strategy within a mission-driven nonprofit.
• Collaborate with leaders committed to ethical, equity-centered organizational growth.
• Drive diversity, equity, and inclusion as a strategic priority.
• Strengthen internal culture, transparency, volunteers, staff engagement, and retention ROI.

This role is ideal for a senior HR executive who is passionate about aligning people strategy with mission-driven impact and long-term sustainability for a nonprofit growing internationally.

Responsibilities

People Strategy & Workforce Planning

• Lead development of a comprehensive people strategy aligned with mission, growth objectives, and operational needs.
• Advise the Board and executive leadership on workforce planning and organizational design.
• Support succession planning for executive and board leadership roles.
• Provide oversight of diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB) initiatives.

Talent Management & Organizational Development

• Oversee frameworks for recruitment, onboarding, retention, and performance management.
• Advise on leadership development and volunteer engagement strategies.
• Support policies that promote an ethical, inclusive, and high-performing culture.
• Monitor engagement initiatives to ensure alignment with organizational values.

HR Governance, Compliance & Risk Management

• Ensure compliance with employment laws, volunteer regulations, and nonprofit workforce standards.
• Oversee HR policies, employee handbooks, codes of conduct, and governance documents.
• Identify workforce-related risks and recommend mitigation strategies.
• Provide oversight of compensation philosophy, benefits structures, and executive compensation review processes as applicable.

Culture & Board Collaboration

• Partner with the CEO/Executive Director to strengthen organizational culture and effectiveness.
• Provide the Board with insight on workforce trends, organizational climate, and human capital metrics.
• Support ethical governance practices and a culture of accountability.

Additional duties may be assigned as organizational needs evolve.

Qualifications

Education & Credentials

• Required: Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Organizational Development, Business Administration, or related field.
• Required: Senior-level HR certification (e.g., SHRM-SCP, SPHR, or equivalent advanced credential).
• Preferred: Master’s degree in Human Resources, Organizational Leadership, or related discipline.

Experience & Expertise

• 4–10 years of senior-level human resources, talent management, or organizational leadership experience.
• Demonstrated experience developing and executing strategic workforce plans.
• Strong knowledge of employment law, HR compliance, and nonprofit workforce considerations.
• Experience advising executive leadership or boards on people strategy and organizational development.
• Expertise in succession planning, leadership development, and culture-building initiatives.
• Nonprofit or mission-driven organization experience strongly preferred.
• Proven ability to align people strategy with organizational mission, growth, and sustainability objectives.
• Commitment to ethical governance, confidentiality, and accountability.
• Ability to use AI tools.

Candidate Eligibility Criteria

• Be an active member in good standing, with all dues paid (if applicable).
• Have served at least six months in a volunteer or advisory capacity or possess relevant professional experience aligned with the role.
• Commit to attending quarterly board meetings and fulfilling all responsibilities outlined in the bylaws.
• For specialized leadership roles (CFO, CIO, CISO, CPO), candidates must demonstrate appropriate expertise in finance, technology, information security, operations, or compliance.