Job Description
Job description
Job Description
Position: Global Human Resources (HR) Director
Reports to: Executive Director, Global HR
Location: Cambridge, United Kingdom
Scope: Global
Position Type: Full-Time
Internal liaison: Global Conservation leadership, Regional and Country HR leads, HR Centers of Excellence (CoEs)
Expected travel: 40-50% travel to field sites or as needed
Organization Background
WCS stands for wildlife and wild places. As the world’s premier wildlife conservation organization, WCS has a long track record of achieving innovative, impactful results at scale. We run programs spanning the entire ocean and more than 3 million biologically critical square miles in nearly 60 countries. We build on a unique foundation: Our reach is global; we discover through best-in-class science; we protect through work on the ground with local and indigenous people; we inspire through our world-class zoos, aquarium, and education programs; and we leverage our resources through partnerships and powerful policy influence. Our 5,000 diverse, passionately committed team members in New York City and around the world work collectively to achieve our conservation mission. More information at www.wcs.org. WCS is organized into a set of regional programs in addition to region‐wide engagement on a variety of conservation matters.
Program Overview
Within the context of WCS’s Human Resources Framework, the Global Human Resources team partners with Global Conservation to build a global, diverse, and engaged workforce by attracting, developing and retaining talent to deliver on Global Conservation’s strategy and mission. Global HR collaborates with leadership, managers, and employees to develop talent solutions and engage on performance, employee relations, and policy application while partnering on a wide range of activities with HR Centers of Excellence – Talent, Total Rewards, and HR Operations and Systems. The Global HR team ensures that WCS Global has the diverse, equitable, inclusive, and high-impact global teams necessary to drive an ambitious conservation agenda.
Job Summary
WCS’s Global Human Resources Department is searching for a seasoned HR professional with extensive HR experience on a global scale, to support the Executive Director HR for Global Conservation on a wide range of HR activities and initiatives. The primary focus will be on executing WCS’s global HR strategy, and ensuring alignment between the global conservation regions by working closely with Regional HRBP’s, Global HR team, and HR centers of excellence (CoEs).
HR initiatives include facilitating recruitment and selection for key senior roles, managing employee relations issues and investigations, performance management and leadership succession, building capability within the global HR team, and providing HRBP support to select client groups. The director is responsible for planning and coordinating human resources programs that support the work of our HR colleagues around the globe and can travel frequently to WCS locations for hands-on support as needed.
Major Responsibilities
• Play a key role in leading the implementation and standardization of HR policies, processes, and programs globally, providing guidance to regional HRBPs and ensuring consistent practices across multiple countries and regions.
• Provide strategic guidance to global, regional, and country leadership in select client groups to address organizational needs, foster employee engagement, and drive talent management strategies.
• Lead organizational development and change management initiatives globally.
• Drive the development and implementation of global HR initiatives, such as performance management, talent acquisition, succession planning, and employee development in partnership with the Talent CoE.
• Oversee efforts to ensure compliance with local labor laws, regulations, and employment practices across countries.
• Play a key role in leading global HR projects such as a global HR information system implementation in partnership with the HR Systems & Operations CoE.
• Play a key role in leading the implementation of new standards and practices related to compensation and benefits in partnership with the Total Rewards CoE.
• Provide guidance and facilitate resolution of employee relations and investigation matters, including dispute resolution, disciplinary actions, and separations.
• Collaborate with regional HR teams on initiatives related to employee engagement, diversity, equity & inclusion, and employee wellness.
• Stay up to date on changes in global HR regulations and labor laws, ensuring compliance and mitigating HR-related risks.
Qualification Requirements
• Proven experience as a Global HR Director or similar leadership role, overseeing HR functions across multiple regions or countries.
• In-depth knowledge of global HR practices, employment laws, regulations, and compliance requirements.
• Strong understanding of HR processes, policies, and programs across different jurisdictions.
• Experience working in diverse cultural environments, managing cross-cultural teams, and fostering global collaboration.
• Strong leadership and relationship-building skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively with, inspire and motivate stakeholders across regions.
• Strategic thinking and problem-solving abilities to drive HR initiatives and optimize HR practices globally.
• Proven track record in implementing and driving HR programs across multiple regions or countries.
• Ability to navigate complex cultural landscapes and manage HR-related risks adeptly.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, global environment with a client-centric mindset.
• Continuous learning mindset to stay up to date with changes in global HR best practices.
Salary Range
Competitive salary commensurate with experience
