Human Resources Director (Full-Time)

Job Title: Director of HR
Chief Operations Officer (COO)
The Director of Human Resources provides strategic leadership for the organization's people strategy, ensuring the Conservancy attracts, develops, engages, and retains a high-performing workforce aligned with its mission of conservation, science, wildlife rehabilitation, education, and advocacy, which are supported by development, marketing, and operations.

The Director oversees all human resource functions (excluding payroll administration), partnering closely with the Finance team to ensure alignment between workforce planning and organizational resources. The role serves as a trusted advisor to executive leadership, managers, and employees while fostering a culture of accountability, professional growth, collaboration, and inclusion. Strategic Human Resources Leadership

• Provide strategic direction for all human resource programs that support organizational growth and operational excellence.
• Develop and implement the organization's human resources strategy aligned with the strategic plan.
• Serve as a member of the senior leadership team, providing expert advice on workforce and organizational matters.
• Lead workforce planning and succession planning initiatives to support current and future operational needs.
• Develop HR policies, procedures, and governance frameworks that support legal compliance and organizational effectiveness.
• Monitor HR metrics and workforce trends to support data-informed decision making.
• Foster a culture of continuous improvement, accountability, employee engagement, and collaboration.

Talent Acquisition, Workforce Planning, Organizational Development

• Oversee recruitment strategy and selection processes for all positions.
• Partner with leadership to evaluate organizational structure and recommend workforce improvements.
• Conduct position evaluations and salary analyses to ensure internal equity and market competitiveness.
• Develop job descriptions, competency frameworks, succession plans, and support Directors/Managers to create career pathways for their teams.
• Design onboarding programs that support successful employee integration.
• Lead employee engagement, retention, recognition, and professional development initiatives.
• Establish leadership development and management training programs across the organization.

Employee Relations, Performance and Compliance

• Promote a fair, respectful, and legally compliant workplace while supporting organizational performance.
• Provide guidance and coaching to managers on employee relations, performance management, and workplace issues.
• Lead investigations involving employee complaints, policy violations, and workplace concerns.
• Oversee disciplinary processes, performance improvement plans, and employee separations.
• Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local employment laws and HR best practices.
• Maintain and update employee policies, handbooks, and HR procedures.
• Manage leave administration oversight, ADA accommodations, workers' compensation coordination, and regulatory reporting (excluding payroll processing).
• Minimize organizational risk through proactive HR practices and manager education.

Develop organization-wide learning and development strategies.

• Design and deliver management, leadership, compliance, and employee training programs.
• Lead employee engagement surveys and action planning.
• Support conflict resolution and foster positive working relationships across departments.
• Develop initiatives that strengthen communication, recognition, inclusion, and employee experience.
• Human Resources Operations and Partnership
• Provide effective leadership of HR operations while partnering closely with Finance and organizational leaders.
• Lead, mentor, and develop the Human Resources team.
• Ensure effective administration of HR systems, personnel records, and employee documentation.
• Partner with Finance on salary budgeting, compensation planning, benefits strategy, and workforce forecasting while Finance retains responsibility for payroll administration and financial management.
• Develop HR operational plans, departmental goals, budgets, and performance measures.
• Oversee HR technology, process improvement, and reporting initiatives.
• Support organizational planning, Board reporting, audits, accreditation, and strategic projects as required.
• Represent Human Resources on cross-functional initiatives that support organizational success.
• Lead quarterly All Staff Meetings, and collaborate with Leadership and HR team to organize staff social events and Holiday Party.

Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Organizational Leadership, or related field required. 8–10 years of progressively responsible human resources leadership experience.

• Minimum of 5 years leading an HR function and supervising HR staff.
• Experience supporting complex, multidisciplinary organizations.
• Experience leading organizational change, workforce planning, employee relations, and talent management.
• Exceptional level of proficiency using information systems, Microsoft Office Suite, and Artificial Intelligence (AI) solutions.

Outgoing personality with a focus on trust-building.

• Exceptional time management with a record of meeting deadlines.
• Certifications, Licenses and Registrations
• management may assign additional responsibilities.

This job description recognizes that reasonable accommodations may be provided to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the role. May spend time in the field, and experience exposure to Florida outdoor weather conditions.

• Visual abilities include close and color vision, along with peripheral and depth perception.
• The Conservancy of Southwest Florida is an equal-opportunity employer and provides reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions.