Description

JOB PURPOSE: The Director of Talent Management & Leadership Development leads the design and implementation of a comprehensive talent and leadership, team, and organizational development strategy that cultivates a high-performing, inclusive, and equitable culture across WKKF. This role integrates talent development, performance management, employee relations, and leadership, team, and organizational development  programming into a unified approach that strengthens staff capability, organizational agility, and leadership capacity in alignment with the foundation’s mission and DNA principles, practices, and approaches.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES/ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
 

A director at the foundation generally has the following responsibilities:

      Model and drive leadership, capacity building, accountability, care and concern, strategic thinking and business acumen within respective team(s) and across          the foundation.

      Model organizational vision, strategy, values, purpose and culture, both inside and outside the organization.

      Drive results through successful accomplishment of organizational ends and avoidance of executive limitations.    

      Empower, coach and develop people, modeling agile practices and demonstrating WKKF’s commitment to racial equity, community engagement and                    leadership.   

      Engage WKKF staff and external constituents, delivering timely, consistent, aligned, authentic communications at all levels. 

      Drive innovation by delivering industry insights and seek out and promote continuous learning and improvement within assigned area(s) of expertise.     

      Deliver high performance through data driven decision making, problem solving, and results focus.

      Serve as an active member of the Steering Committee.

      Lead a high performing team:

Provide clear and consistent communications on roles, responsibilities, and expectations.

Ensure team effectiveness and provide timely performance feedback and coaching in a manner that engenders performance excellence and strong customer service. 

Ensure cross-functional training and plan for the team’s staffing requirements. 

Specifically, the Director of Talent Management & Leadership Development is responsible for the following:

Talent Development

      Envision, design, and lead a talent development framework that utilizes a 70-20-10 learning model (on-the-job experiences, coaching/mentoring, and formal learning).

      Oversee fellowships, tuition reimbursement, coaching/mentoring programs, and vendor-supported platforms.

      Direct strategy and provide coaching for development of individualized talent development profiles (TDPs) to guide employee growth and align with organizational needs.

Performance Management

      Lead the annual and mid-year alignment conversations in SuccessFactors, ensuring consistency and accountability across teams.

      Design and manage the end-to-end performance management cycle, including goal setting, reviews, comparative evaluations, pay-for-performance processes, and individual development planning.

      Lead the performance improvement process and facilitate performance improvement plans, with a focus on coaching and supporting employees and leaders.

Leadership, Team, and Organizational Development

Coach and guide leaders towards promoting a high-performance positive culture that fosters direction, alignment and commitment, imbuing a high level of trust. 
      In partnership with the Chief Leadership and Human Capital Officer (CLHCO), support the design, execution, and facilitation of the WKKF’s internal leadership, team, and organizational development work, aligned with the leadership and organization’s strategic framework, within our headquarters and priority places, both domestically and internationally.

In partnership with the CLHCO, identify and engage key leadership and other partners for change efforts, ensuring commitment and readiness to persevere through the change process. 
Encourage, support and coach high potential individuals to build and enhance their leadership capacity.
Play an active, facilitative role in strategy and systems change dialogues, including effectively addressing sensitive issues such as mental models/assumptions, power dynamics, historical contexts, and racial inequities.
Collaborate closely with other directors and staff to ensure appropriate integration and alignment of efforts and sharing of learned lessons.
Create and connect with external networks and relationships at the local, state and national levels.
      Partner with Leadership, DNA, and QOE teams to advance racial equity initiatives through leadership and development efforts.

      Lead the foundation’s leadership development portfolio, including:

o   Internal leadership and team development.

o   Alumni network engagement and professional development.

Employee Relations

      In partnership with Governance and Compliance:

o   Lead and manage employee relations cases, including conducting thorough investigations into complaints and policy violations.

o   Provide strategic guidance to leaders on complex employee relations issues, ensuring alignment with WKKF’s DNA, values and policies as well as legal compliance.

      Facilitate conflict resolution through mediation, coaching and other interventions to foster a respectful and productive work environment.

      Support training and development initiatives related to preventing workplace harassment, workplace conduct and respectful workplace practices.

      Ensure compliance with federal, state and local employment laws and regulations, staying current on legal developments and best practices.

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging

      Develop, refine and execute a comprehensive DEIB strategy map aligned with WKKF’s DNA and organizational goals.

      Lead the implementation of DEIB initiatives across the organization, ensuring measurable impact and sustainable change.

      Oversee and support WKKF’s affinity groups, ensuring alignment with WKKF’s affinity group framework and guidelines.

      Ensure compliance with applicable laws and regulations related to equal employment opportunity and workplace equity.

      Serve as a thought leader and internal advocate for DEIB, fostering a culture of belonging and respect.

      Represent the organization in external DEIB forums, partnerships and benchmarking efforts.

Strategy, Systems, & Operations

      Establish and oversee policies, guidelines,  and platforms related to talent and leadership development.

      Partner with the THR leadership team to ensure integration of talent management, succession planning, and organizational strategy.

      Provide regular updates and monitoring reports on progress and impact.

      Build strong internal and external networks to share best practices and advance WKKF’s talent and leadership agenda.

In partnership with the CLHCO and VP of THR, develop and manage budget, including an assessment of available resources and resource requirements.
      Lead special projects and other duties as assigned

Requirements

Education/Experience
     

• Bachelor’s degree in a field relevant to assigned area plus a minimum of eight years related work experience in field relevant to assigned responsibilities, with strong networks and contacts and a minimum of five years of leadership experience required.        
•   Master’s degree in a relevant field preferred with emphasis in leadership/organizational development and 10 years of increasingly responsible experience. Proven track record in leadership, team, and organizational development design, delivery, and facilitation with requisite certifications/credentials in for example:  
• Coaching and facilitation, 360 feedback and leadership assessments, personality and behavioral assessments, change management, conflict resolution, and communication style assessments, as well as knowledge and application of experiential learning practices within leadership, team, and organizational    development. Demonstrated success in successfully leading and managing teams, human capital strategy, and other areas of responsibility.  Successful        experience working as part of a multidisciplinary team and working effectively with people from diverse cultural, social and ethnic backgrounds.
•   Fluency in English required; Spanish proficiency strongly preferred.     
•   Foundation or nonprofit experience preferred.
       

Core Capabilities
     

•  Proven experience in talent management, leadership development, and performance management at a senior level.
•  Demonstrated success in designing and leading talent development strategies, including coaching, mentoring, fellowships, and learning systems.
• Deep understanding of the intersection between talent development and systems change, with the ability to align workforce planning, recruitment, and         retention with organizational transformation.
•  Expertise in performance management systems (e.g., SuccessFactors), learning management systems (LMS), and employee relations, including                        performance improvement planning and organizational coaching.
• Strong facilitation and relationship-building skills, with the ability to navigate sensitive issues such as equity, power dynamics, cultural contexts, and              organizational change.
•  Skilled in mediation, coaching and resolving interpersonal and organizational conflicts.
•  Deep understanding of federal, state and local labor laws, regulations and compliance requirements.
• Impeccable emotional intelligence skills, including strong self-awareness, self-management, empathy and social/interpersonal as well as the ability to            interpret issues from multiple perspectives and lenses and foster authentic dialogue and trust across diverse teams.
•  Commitment to equity, diversity, inclusion, and racial equity, integrating these values into organizational development, leadership initiatives, and community engagement.
•  Entrepreneurial and innovative mindset, with a demonstrated ability to translate concepts into action and adapt quickly to evolving organizational needs.
•  Excellent project management skills, including managing budgets, vendors, and timelines, while building strong networks inside and outside the organization.
       

Desired Qualities and Characteristics
     

      Strong alignment with WKKF’s values and DNA

      Intercultural competence

      Openness / self-awareness

      Ego-management

      Systems thinker

      Change competence
      Collaborative, brings people together 

      Conflict competence

      Talent architect / people developer

      Empowers leadership

      Trust builder

      Shares accountability and responsibility

      Results-oriented