Director of Global Human Resources at Human Rights Watch

About the Organization

Human Rights Watch (HRW) investigates and reports on abuses happening in all corners of the world. We are roughly 550 plus people of 70 plus nationalities who are country experts, lawyers, journalists, fundraisers, and operational experts and others who work to protect the most at risk, from vulnerable minorities and civilians in wartime, to refugees and children in need. We direct our advocacy towards governments, armed groups, and businesses, pushing them to change or enforce their laws, policies and practices. To ensure our independence, we refuse government funding and carefully review all donations to ensure that they are consistent with our policies, mission, and values. We partner with organizations large and small across the globe to protect embattled activists and to help hold abusers to account and bring justice to victims.

About the Opportunity

Reporting directly to the Chief People & Culture Officer (CPCO), the Director of Global Human Resources plays a key role as a strategic and hands-on leader responsible for developing and executing global human resources (HR) systems, policies, and practices aligned with HRW's values and organizational strategy. The Director will oversee all aspects of human resources across multiple regions, ensuring consistency in practices while adapting to cultural and regulatory nuances. They will also work in close partnership with other key stakeholders - including other directors on the people and culture team, leaders across the organization, and our worldwide staff - in support of HRW’s mission and strategic plan. 

This position will be based in one of HRW’s global offices and is part of the Global People & Culture team.

Areas of Leadership 

Strategic Human Resources Leadership: In collaboration with the CPCO and People & Culture team, envision, develop, and lead the org-wide strategy for human resources at HRW, with an eye toward building durable relationships across the organization, and trust and credibility for the people and culture function. As an in-house HR expert, provide counsel, coaching, and training to the Executive team, senior leaders, and managers in all areas of talent management and employee experience. In collaboration with the CPCO and the People & Culture Leadership team, develop HR systems and processes that support efforts to enhance employee engagement, staff care and organizational culture and development. Embed a strategic approach to diversity, equity, and inclusion into all systems, processes, and programs within HR processes and practices. Utilize proven best practices and emerging innovations in HR to position the function as a leading, future-ready strategic asset.

Key Qualifications:

• Significant senior leadership experience, including setting and driving strategy at the organizational level, ideally in a global organization
• Track record of, and passion for, being a collaborative team player with excellent leadership, management, interpersonal, and organizational skills who can empathetically engage with staff across levels and jurisdictions to build rapport and trust across all levels of the organization
• Ability to coach leaders and managers to effectively manage their teams, drive inclusive and high-performing teams, and proactively address or handle challenges
• A high level of professionalism and ability to work with sensitive and confidential matters by displaying strong judgement and leveraging outstanding relationship and diplomatic skills
• Demonstrated commitment to human rights and/or international issues  

Human Resources Team Management: Lead, motivate, and mentor direct reports, including communicating clear expectations, setting performance objectives, providing regular and timely constructive feedback, ensuring balanced workload, supporting professional growth, and monitoring staff well-being as it pertains to stress and resilience issues and self-care. 

Key Qualifications:

• Track record of recruiting, developing, mentoring, and retaining a well-functioning, top of class Human Resources team
• Ability to provide direction for and empower multiple teams to execute their responsibilities and continually refine their work
• Ability to effectively manage and empower multiple teams, ensuring they are structured, resourced, and supported to execute their responsibilities and continuously enhance their work
• Proven track record leading diverse teams, and supporting individuals at all levels of their own professional development
• Ability to provide coaching and support to individuals whose expertise differs from their own

Human Resources Development & Implementation: Lead the development, implementation, and continuous improvement of core HR processes across all employee life-cycle activities in a globally distributed organization. Oversee human resources information systems to meet the organization’s oversight responsibilities and to ensure HR systems are in compliance with applicable laws. Utilize data to optimize talent management processes, drive strategic decision-making, and enhance overall organizational effectiveness. Ensure compliance with HRW policy and procedures, local employment law, and collective bargaining agreements. Respond to and manage employee and labor relations cases, grievances, and conflicts. 

Key Qualifications:

• History of working in or leading all HR verticals, across multiple jurisdictions, including: strategic workforce planning, global employee and labor relations and compliance; recruitment and onboarding; performance management, employee development, and leadership effectiveness; compensation, benefits, total rewards, leave administration, and policy implementation in a global setting; and HR analytics
• Experience evaluating HR systems and processes and leveraging analytics to make recommendations to improve or streamline processes
• Ability to partner with other leaders to implement strategies to boost employee morale and engagement
• Experience embedding diversity, equity and inclusion principles into HR and talent management processes 
• Track record of working in a unionized environment, and building strong and trusting relationships with unions within an organization
• Strong computer knowledge including MS Office applications, HR management systems (HRMS), and an applicant tracking system (ATS), is required; experience with Greenhouse and UltiPro (UKG) systems is desirable

Communication, Collaboration, & Relationship Building: In partnership with the Global Head of Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion, ensure integration of DEI into all HR policies, processes, and practices. In partnership with the Director of Safety, Security, & Staff Care, ensure HR policies and benefits adequately support staff safety and wellbeing across the various environments in which staff live and work. Communicate effectively and lead trainings and presentations with internal and external stakeholders including leadership teams, internal committees, staff, vendors, and the Board of Directors, as needed. 

Key Qualifications:

• Interpersonal skills and the ability to listen, interact, and communicate effectively and empathetically with all levels of globally diverse staff and other key stakeholders are required
• Track record of building and maintaining strong, durable relationships at all levels of an organization, proactively identifying any interdependencies between HR and other functions, and effectively partnering with other senior leaders to meet shared goals
• Excellent presentation, communication, public speaking, and listening skills
• Strong oral and written communications skills in English are required; fluency in French or other languages is highly desirable 

Salary, Benefits & Location

The salary range for this role is $170-200k per year. Human Rights Watch seeks exceptional applicants and offers competitive compensation and employer-paid benefits including medical, dental, vision, disability, and life insurance. Human Rights Watch also offers a relocation assistance package and will assist employees in obtaining necessary work authorization, if required; people of all nationalities are encouraged to apply.

We expect the Director of Global Human Resources to occasionally travel internationally, as needed, to provide in-person support, attend meetings, lead trainings, etc.

The Director of Global Human Resources will be based out of one of our offices, with a preference for New York City or Washington DC. Regardless of location, the Director will be expected to work within Eastern Time Zone business hours and work in-office at least once a week. 

To Apply

Human Rights Watch has engaged Axis Talent Partners to lead this search process. With a strong track record of recruiting successful leaders from diverse backgrounds, Axis is a consultant and executive search firm that partners with social impact organizations to center equity and inclusion in search processes. Interested candidates should submit an application, including a resume and responses to the application questions, detailing their qualifications for the position and their interest in HRW’s mission HERE. 

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Human Rights Watch is strong because it is diverse. We actively seek a diverse applicant pool and encourage candidates of all backgrounds to apply. Human Rights Watch does not discriminate on the basis of disability, age, gender identity and expression, national origin, race and ethnicity, religious beliefs, sexual orientation, or criminal record. We welcome all kinds of diversity. Our employees include people who are parents and nonparents, the self-taught and university educated, and from a wide span of socio- economic backgrounds and perspectives on the world. Human Rights Watch is an equal opportunity employer.

Human Rights Watch is an international human rights monitoring and advocacy organization known for its in-depth investigations, its incisive and timely reporting, its innovative and high- profile advocacy campaigns, and its success in changing the human rights-related policies and practices of influential governments and international institutions.