Vice President of People & Culture

Key Responsibilities

• Design and implement leadership development programs to strengthen capabilities at all levels of the organization.
• Develop and support a high-impact middle management cohort, leveraging this group as a key driver of culture, engagement, and performance.
• Coach and advise senior leaders and managers to enhance leadership effectiveness, team performance, and employee engagement.
• Build relationships with employees across Braille Institute and serve as a trusted resource for advice and counsel on HR, cultural, and organizational matters.
• Facilitate the integration of diverse workgroups, cultures, and newly acquired assets.
• Drive a culture that embodies Braille Institute’s values and promotes, rewards, and encourages high performance throughout the organization.
• Counsel, coach, and guide managers and staff in addressing concerns and complaints to ensure fair and equitable treatment.
• Champion leadership development for all people leaders; lead development planning initiatives and secure resources to support individual and group growth.
• Mediate employee relations and performance issues and advise managers on effective performance management practices.
• Model Braille Institute’s core values and demonstrate consistent, values-based leadership across the organization.
• Proactively manage resource allocation and maintain a competitive approach to recruiting and integrating high-potential talent; advise on people programs and processes to enhance diversity, talent acquisition, onboarding, development, retention, and succession planning.
• Oversee compensation practices, ensuring regular salary benchmarking and participation in market surveys.
• Develop and implement HR initiatives and systems supporting performance management, talent acquisition, learning and development, engagement, benefits, rewards, policy, and compliance.
• Lead initiatives that advance accessibility and inclusion, including Employee Resource Groups (ERGs).
• Respond to HR needs across the organization, including support for seven regional centers and the expansion of virtual services.
• Oversee the continued automation and enhancement of HR systems, protocols, and capabilities.
• Oversee Volunteer Impact Program (VIP) Team and the expansion of volunteer programs, both in-person and virtually (including beyond California).
• Ensure organizational compliance with all federal, state, and local labor and employment laws; anticipate and mitigate potential risks.

Traits and Characteristics Desired

• A growth mindset and strong emotional intelligence.
• A results-driven, agile change agent with the confidence and commitment to lead at a high level.
• An empathetic, approachable, and engaging demeanor, with strong listening skills and responsiveness.
• A focus on achieving results, coupled with a hands-on, “roll-up-your-sleeves” approach.
• Unquestionable personal integrity and fairness, along with the credibility needed to gain the trust and commitment of individuals at all levels of the organization.
• The ability to cultivate strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders and collaborate effectively across the organization to achieve results.
• A passion for Braille Institute’s mission to positively transform the lives of those with vision loss, inspired by the organization’s opportunities and challenges, and committed to achieving goals through a collaborative, team-oriented approach.