Vice President, Change Culture and Engagement

Job Description

Job Description : \n\nSalary : $125,000 - $140,000 annually POSITION : Vice President of Culture, Change and Engagement (Human Resources) REPORTS TO : President and CEO START DATE : March 15, 2025 PAY RANGE : $125,000 - $140,000 DURATION : Full-time, year-round LOCATION : Cathleen Stone Island and IDB, 21 Drydock Ave, Boston, MA Cathleen Stone Island Outward Bound School (CSIOBS )is located on one of the largest and most ecologically diverse islands among the 34 islands and peninsulas that comprise the Boston Harbor Islands National Park. Covering 204 acres, this island features mature forests, meadows, freshwater and marine wetlands, salt marshes, and critical geological features. In addition to its natural beauty, the island offers amenities such as a formal school campus with dormitories, a dining hall, classrooms, lab space, auditoriums, a gymnasium, outdoor challenge courses, and climbing towers. The island also has a thriving events business. CSIOBS has an annual budget of over $9 million that supports a staff of over 150 employees. CSIOBS is an affiliate of Outbound Bound Schools in the United States. THE NEED CSIOBS is a not-for-profit organization providing adventurous and challenging experiential learning programs that inspire character development, compassion, community service, environmental responsibility, and academic achievement. Our organization serves adolescents from all economic and social communities of greater metropolitan Boston and the institutions and adults who support them. Many of the students CSIOBS serves attend Boston Public Schools, and CSIOBS has been associated with Boston Public Schools for over 50 years. CSIOBS firmly believes that access to green spaces and natural environments positively impacts children's mental health and well-being, laying a solid foundation for them to become lifelong learners. Deeply embedded in our service model, we hold that practicing hands-on science in our ecosystems enhances students ability to question, observe, and spark their curiosity about the natural world. Tapping into our challenge structures and participating in outdoor education courses help them build confidence, resilience, and a greater sense of possibility. This unique combination of field science and dynamic challenge profoundly impacts students' academic and social-emotional growth. CSIOBS intentionally includes STEM initiatives in our programming and takes responsibility for stewarding our students to become environmentally conscious champions and advocates. CSIOBS seeks a dynamic, student- and people-centered Vice President of Change, Culture, and Engagement (VPCCE) to nurture a collaborative, inclusive culture that infuses diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB) into all aspects of CSIOBSs internal environment. This position will serve on the Senior Management Team[1] and help inform organizational direction and decision-making. He / She / They will drive efforts to strengthen organizational culture, cohesion, and equity. This position will also serve as a thought partner and executive representation for our newly created Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging staff board committee. This position reports to the Chief Executive Officer and President. PRIMARY PURPOSE OF THIS POSITION The VPCCEs job is to drive the overall human resources and DEIB strategies. We fully recognize that many great candidates will not have experience in all the places we list or may have relevant experiences and skills that we have not listed or considered. Well give you the technology, the tools, the scale, the culture, and learning while supporting CSIOBS to help deliver on our human resources goals and governance practice. As a human resources generalist and expert, the VPCCE will supervise a full-time Associate Director (and up to two recruiters to be added when funds are secured) and the senior director of Outward Bound Professional. He / She / They will serve as a member of the Senior Management Team[i]. This is a full-time position in Bostons Seaport District, with opportunities to spend time on Cathleen Stone Island. PRIMARY DUTIES AND ACCOUNTABILITIES : Lead the organization's development of a comprehensive compensation philosophy and develop practices and policies to ensure that compensation decisions are consistent with and support that compensation philosophy. Develop initiatives to measure and enhance employee engagement and satisfaction. This will include evaluating existing performance management systems and making appropriate modifications as necessary. Serve as a resource for resolving employee concerns and managing conflict effectively. Conduct internal investigations as necessary and recommend strategies to resolve personnel issues. Mitigate risks by proactively identifying and addressing potential HR-related challenges. Develop, oversee, and advance the organizations internal DEIB strategy and other initiatives that foster a culture of inclusion that aligns with organizational values and is executed throughout all teams. Participate as a strategic partner in developing CSIOBSs plans and programs, focusing on the impact on people and translating the organizations strategic plans into HR strategic plans and practices. Advising senior management on the impact of long-range planning, new programs / strategies, and regulatory action on employee attraction, motivation, development, and retention. Develop, maintain, and communicate organizational personnel policies and procedures while ensuring managers are trained about the policies and coaching them in working with their staff to ensure organization-wide compliance and consistency. Oversee recruitment, hiring, orientation, and onboarding of all employees. Oversee the administration of all employee benefit plans, including negotiating, through a broker, with vendors for coverage on health, dental, life, long-term disability, employee assistance, and 401(k) retirement plans. The VPCCE will ensure that CSIOBS continues to offer competitive benefits within the organizations financial resources. Provide executive leadership to the Board CCEs committee (to be created), fostering inclusion and belonging by providing guidance, facilitating information sharing and collaboration, and supporting the development of new groups and inclusion initiatives. Work closely with other SMT team members to provide organizational leadership and strategic direction while ensuring division alignment with the organizations priorities. Manage professional development to ensure managers are trained in all relevant subjects (including hiring and terminations, performance management, EEO policies, including sexual harassment, and safety) and that all employees have opportunities to develop their skills and knowledge in their fields. Support, coach, and facilitate the favorable resolution of employee relations issues in a manner that contributes to CSIOBSs employee-centered workplace and high-performance culture and in conjunction with outside employment counsel as necessary. Track legal requirements and government reporting regulations affecting human resources functions and ensure that CSIOBSs policies, procedures, and reporting comply. Create a quarterly newsletter to inform staff on organizational successes, employment opportunities, and department updates. Maintain knowledge of diversity-related issues, legislation, and best practices, focusing on improving engagement, inclusion, and belonging. Knowledge and RelationshipManagement : Establish and nurture relationships with site staff to understand regional perspectives and needs, build trust, and facilitate program design, implementation, and evaluation informed by those closest to program participants. Build strong collaborative relationships with SMT members and their direct reports to integrate cross-program activities. Develop the necessary systems, processes, and tools to support better the facilitation, collection, and sharing of knowledge generated by the programs. Champion a data, quality, and evaluation culture that aligns with programmatic strategic outcomes. Seek and create innovative opportunities to invest in staff through support, training, coaching, and observation. Qualifications : Degree or BA / BS degree, an MBA or relevant Master's Degree, or significant experience equivalent to the advanced degree. A PHR, SPHR, or SHRM certification is a plus. 10 plus years of progressively responsible HR management experience, including demonstrated experience (5 years or more) in a senior position managing the personnel functions of a complex organization. Experience building and working in a diverse, equitable, and inclusive workforce. Experience conceptualizing, implementing, and evaluating organization-wide strategic initiatives. Ability to juggle multiple short-term and long-term needs, responding to challenging employee relations issues while planning for new professional development strategies daily. Excellent communication skills, both written and oral, and demonstrated proficiency with ADP Payroll Systems (Workforce Now Payroll, Time and Attendance, and Human Capital Management Suite), Zenefits, PayScale, and / or other employment screening and listing services Proven ability to lead HR functions for a workplace with diverse employment types, preferably seasonal staff. Knowledge of applicable federal, state, and local employment, wage, and hour laws and regulations. Experience working with outside employment counsel is preferred. The ideal candidate for this role is comfortable leading through changing priorities and holding exacting standards for a teams high-stakes work. The risks and potential of experimentation energize you as a path to breakthrough strategies in outdoor spaces, and you know how to inspire teams to achieve ambitious goals. REPORTING TO THE CEO AND PRESIDENT OF CSIOBS The CEO and President of CSIOBS is deeply committed to developing innovative solutions for complex challenges and advocating for social justice, especially for the young students supported by CSIOBS. She is a natural problem-solver who thrives on tackling significant obstacles. She is inherently entrepreneurial and unwavering in her pursuit of resources. Her approach is guided by four closely intertwined principles : people, focus, passion, and place. She is currently dedicated to expanding CSIOBS's vision to better cater to our student's needs and empower them to become advocates for climate action, armed with the knowledge and drive to seek solutions. Please listen to this podcast to hear her initial thoughts. Should you join our team, expect to work closely with a dynamic individual who prioritizes regular communications on all projects. WORK CONDITIONS AND PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS The New England coast experiences various weather conditions, which can be challenging. You will be required to work on the island 3 or more times a week from April to October. CSIOBS will take care of your ferry transportation and temporary onsite housing (if necessary). Every challenge presents an opportunity for growth and development. A criminal background check is required for this position. LOCATION AND OTHER REQUIREMENTS This hire must reside in the Boston area and be willing to work on our island in Boston Harbor for eight months of the year. During the off-season, the hire will work at our local office in Seaport, Boston. WHO YOU ARE All CSIOBS staff bring a commitment to our mission of unleashing students to be challenged via discovery, as well as the ability to thrive in an environment that values excellence, gratitude, well-being, diversity, authenticity, and collaboration. All candidates should demonstrate leadership, coaching, relationship management experience, and substantial success in managing funder relationships. OUR BENEFITSWe are committed to staff learning, growth, and development. Our holistic investment includes the following : Competitive salaries. This is an exempt position with a starting salary range of $125,000 to $140,000, commensurate with experience. Medical insurance with up to 80% employer contribution. Dental, vision, FSA, life, and disability insurance plans. 401 (K) and Employer Match Generous paid time off, including 17 vacation days, 20 personal days, and 13 company-wide holidays. Individual, local, regional, and national training. A commitment to developing leaders from within the organization. An organizational culture that supports staff well-being and holistic self-care. Ample opportunities to connect with the students and communities we serve. OUR COMMITMENT TO EQUITY, DIVERSITY, INCLUSION AND BELONGING Our staff and board care deeply about social justice, equity, and diverse perspectives and backgrounds, creating a rich work environment and enhancing our ability to pursue our mission. We hope you will join us as we continue to make a diverse organization that fosters a work environment where people from all backgrounds are welcomed and valued. HOW TO APPLY Select "Apply for this Position" below to submit a resume and a compelling cover letter addressed to Sylvia Watts McKinney, CEO and President, by February 28, 2025, at or before 2 pm. EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER Cathleen Stone Island Outward Bound School is an equal opportunity employer and actively seeks staff that is as diverse as the communities it serves. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. Cathleen Stone Island Outward Bound School has a zero-tolerance policy for incidents of child abuse and neglect. Protecting our minor students against abuse and neglect is of the highest priority. [i] The Senior Management Team is comprised of the CEO and President, Chief Development Officer, Chief Financial Officer, Chief of Staff, Vice President of Climate Resiliency, Entrepreneurship, and Programming, Vice President of Asset Management, and Director of Safety and Training.

Salary : $125,000 - $140,000