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Operation Food Search · 17 hours ago

Director of Human Resources

St Louis,MO,US

Full-time

Onsite

Director/Executive

8+ years exp

Operation Food Search is a hunger relief organization dedicated to reducing food insecurity and increasing equitable access to food. The Director of Human Resources will lead both strategic and operational HR functions, serving as a trusted advisor to the President & CEO while managing recruitment, employee relations, and compliance initiatives.

Food and Beverage

Responsibilities

Lead and execute OFS’s people, culture, and talent strategy in alignment with organizational mission, values, and strategic goals

Serve as a strategic advisor to the President & CEO and Senior Leadership Team on organizational design, workforce planning, leadership effectiveness, and culture

Champion OFS’s values and ensure they are embedded into policies, practices, leadership behaviors, and decision-making

Lead organizational change initiatives, including new policies, systems, and culture practices

Act as the organization’s senior HR leader while remaining directly involved in execution

Own the full lifecycle of recruiting, hiring, and onboarding for all positions

Partner with department leaders to identify workforce needs, required competencies, and hiring strategies

Build and maintain a strong employer brand to attract diverse, mission-aligned talent

Lead succession planning and leadership development efforts

Promote continuous learning, performance improvement, and career development across the organization

Serve as the primary point of contact for employee relations, including coaching, conflict resolution, investigations, disciplinary action, and terminations

Ensure fair, consistent, and legally compliant application of HR policies

Oversee and administer the performance management process, ensuring timely reviews, feedback, and accountability

Support managers in effective people leadership through coaching, training, and guidance

Conduct exit interviews and analyze trends to improve retention and engagement

Lead and implement OFS’s DEI strategy in partnership with leadership and the DEI Committee

Integrate DEI principles into recruiting, onboarding, performance management, leadership development, and culture practices

Collect, analyze, and report workforce data to assess progress and inform decisions

Ensure ongoing education and compliance related to equity, inclusion, and anti-harassment

Lead compensation strategy, benchmarking, and administration in alignment with OFS’s compensation philosophy

Administer benefits programs, including health insurance, retirement plans, leave programs, and wellness offerings

Partner with brokers and vendors to ensure competitive, compliant, and cost-effective benefits

Oversee workers’ compensation, unemployment claims, and disability programs

Ensure compliance with all federal, state, and local employment laws and regulations

Maintain, update, and enforce HR policies, procedures, and the OFS Employee Handbook

Oversee background checks, I-9 compliance, drug testing, and required reporting

Partner with legal counsel, insurance brokers, and external HR resources to mitigate risk

Manage HR systems and data (e.g., Paylocity), ensuring accuracy, confidentiality, and efficiency

Leverage HR technology and workforce data to improve decision-making and operational effectiveness

Track key people metrics (turnover, engagement, DEI, performance, compensation)

Continuously improve HR processes to support organizational growth and scalability

Exercise sound judgment in complex, time-sensitive, and emotionally charged situations

Balance compassion, equity, and legal compliance with operational continuity and organizational risk management

Anticipate second- and third-order impacts of people decisions in a lean, highly visible organization

Build trust and credibility with staff at all levels, including warehouse, operations, programs, development, and leadership teams

Communicate HR policies and decisions clearly, practically, and without unnecessary jargon

Maintain a visible presence across departments to understand day-to-day realities and workforce dynamics

Operate effectively within an organization where we manage resources effectively, prioritizing work based on risk, impact, and mission alignment

Design, implement, and improve people systems while also executing day-to-day HR operations

Demonstrate a strong ownership mindset, taking responsibility for outcomes rather than deferring or over-delegating

Navigate leadership dynamics, board considerations, and organizational sensitivities with professionalism and discretion

Maintain neutrality and fairness while managing competing priorities and perspectives

Protect the organization’s interests without becoming adversarial, ideological, or overly rigid

Maintain composure, clarity, and steadiness in high-stress, high-emotion situations

Absorb and manage emotional content without becoming reactive or defensive

Model professionalism and grounded leadership in moments of conflict, crisis, or organizational change

Uphold the highest standards of confidentiality and ethical conduct

Serve as a trusted steward of sensitive employee, leadership, and organizational information

Ensure consistent and principled application of policies, without favoritism or inconsistency

Provide clear, candid, and constructive guidance to senior leaders, including the President & CEO

Willingly raise concerns, identify risk, and recommend alternatives when proposed actions present legal, ethical, or cultural risk

Balance support for leadership with an independent responsibility to the organization as a whole

Demonstrate high personal accountability, stamina, and follow-through

Lead from the front with a willingness to personally execute operational work when needed

Set the tone for professionalism, responsiveness, and excellence across all HR functions

Qualification

Strategic HR LeadershipTalent AcquisitionDiversityEquity & InclusionHR ComplianceHRIS ProficiencyEmployee RelationsPerformance ManagementCoaching SkillsCommunication SkillsOrganizational SkillsRelationship Building