Vice President of People and Culture

About California Community Foundation

The mission of the California Community Foundation (CCF) is to lead positive systemic change that strengthens Los Angeles communities. We envision a future where all Angelenos have the opportunity to contribute to the productivity, health, and well-being of our region. We believe that our common fate will be determined by how successfully we improve the quality of life for all of our residents. The impact we help create is of, by, and for Los Angeles, because the community is our foundation.

What We Fund

We are driven to find long-term, systemic solutions addressing the root causes of the most pressing issues facing Los Angeles County. Since 2000, we have given more than $200 million in discretionary grants, impacting hundreds of thousands of lives and helping to transform entire communities. Every one of those grants represented the legacy of a donor who was dedicated to creating a healthier, more prosperous, and empowered L.A.

How We Work

Every year, we and our donors invest tens of millions in transforming Los Angeles, but real change takes more than money. Through partnerships and innovative approaches, we use our tools to maximize impact, empower communities, and strengthen the nonprofit sector for generations to come. Learn more about California Community Foundation at CCF’s website.

The Opportunity

The California Community Foundation, known for strengthening communities of Los Angeles County through philanthropy and civic engagement, is searching for a Vice President of People and Culture to initiate the work of fostering a meaningful and equitable work environment for an entrepreneurial, transformative, and growing team. Reporting to the President and CEO, the Vice President of People and Culture will support the mission and work of CCF by creating, leading, and supporting all people functions of the organization.

As CCF works to consistently operationalize its commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI), this is an exciting opportunity for a vibrant human resources leader, partner, and thinker to lead the visionary work of refining and strengthening the foundation’s HR infrastructure, processes, policies, systems, and procedures supporting CCF’s leadership and staff in their work of accelerating opportunity and prosperity for the Los Angeles community. Additionally, this leader will be dedicated to crafting and solidifying a cohesive organizational culture, cultivating unity and purpose among 80 team members.

This person will be a dynamic and inclusive leader with extensive Human Resources knowledge and expertise. They will oversee all People functions, including recruitment and talent management, compensation and evaluation, benefits administration, organizational development, compliance, payroll, timekeeping, and employee relations. This position will offer HR strategic guidance and support to the foundation, including overseeing compliance with all applicable laws and regulations. 

The Vice President of People and Culture will bring their entrepreneurial spirit to develop, implement, and promote scalable and equitable people strategies and policies. They will inspire staff across the organization by mentoring and developing employees as well as strategically prioritizing, building, and stewarding CCF’s culture. The Vice President of People and Culture will be people-minded, implementing review processes and KPIs that help to retain employees and enhance their professional development.

Candidate Profile

The Vice President of People and Culture will be a collaborative leader and will spearhead the efforts to further define CCF’s organizational culture and values with intention and best practices. They will bring a DEI lens to their work with an authentic passion for CCF’s mission of helping all Angelenos thrive. A minimum of 7 years of senior Human Resources experience is required. 

We recognize that there is a spectrum of experience that will set candidates up for success in this role. While no one candidate will have every experience outlined in the position profile, ideal candidates will display many of the following professional and personal qualities, skills, and characteristics:

Passion for the Mission

The Vice President of People and Culture will possess a profound dedication to justice and equity, with a strong desire to uplift and empower the diverse communities of Los Angeles. They will be driven by a personal connection to the struggles and aspirations of Angelenos, recognizing that true prosperity and freedom can only be achieved when all individuals have equitable access to opportunities and resources. This leader will be deeply inspired by the chance to effect positive change within the community, understanding that social justice is not just a goal, but a fundamental necessity for a thriving society. Through their leadership, this individual will embody the values of CCF, driving meaningful progress towards a more just and equitable Los Angeles for all its residents. 

Human Resources Expertise with Equity Lens

The Vice President of People and Culture will have extensive knowledge of human resources best practices and expertise in implementing strong systems and processes specifically tailored to the unique needs of a philanthropic organization like CCF. This leader will have a solutions mindset and will bring new ideas while possessing the organizational and problem-solving skills needed to efficiently carry out day-to-day operations. This leader will have a strong equity and inclusion perspective that will guide them in their work in developing and implementing HR policies, procedures, and decision-making. Leading by example, they will champion initiatives that promote a culture of belonging and respect, promoting an inclusive environment where all employees feel valued, respected, and empowered to contribute their best work. 

Collaborative and Strategic Culture Leader

The Vice President of People and Culture will play an essential leadership role at CCF and will have a highly collaborative nature. They will leverage their approachability and genuine interest in engaging with staff to reinvigorate the organization's culture and values. This leader will excel in nurturing, enriching, and elevating a vibrant culture throughout the organization. The Vice President of People and Culture will have a refined ability to balance overseeing strategy and rolling up their sleeves as needed. With a people-first orientation, they will be deeply committed to inspiring and mentoring others, championing the individual and collective efforts of every employee. 

Change Management

As a catalyst for transformation, the Vice President of People and Culture will come in with a demonstrated track record of leading, implementing, and communicating large-scale change management initiatives in a complex organization, with a keen understanding of how to empower people, influence colleagues, and work across departments in a multifaceted organization. They will have the ability to diagnose critical areas for attention, build shared understanding, and implement clear strategies. They will have an exceptional ability to manage complex organizational challenges while being open and transparent, creating trust and serving as a safe and credible resource at all times for all team members. This leader will be thorough, detail-oriented, and possess a wide-ranging perspective on the impacts of change on organizational culture. 

Organizational Development

With organizational development expertise, this leader will regularly and proactively review departmental structure, staffing levels, and procedures to bring clarity to the roles and departmental processes so that responsibilities, goals, and ownership of objectives and key results are defined. The Vice President of People and Culture will be a proactive leader with the mindset to challenge the status quo while remaining sensitive to CCF’s diverse culture, employee morale, and place in the community. 

Trusted Relationship Builder, Communicator, and Manager

The Vice President of People and Culture will embody a multifaceted approach to leadership that fosters trust and effectively manages people and resources. They will have high emotional intelligence and superior interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills with the ability to listen and respond effectively to a diverse group of audiences. With a keen understanding of the importance of relationships, they will prioritize building strong connections with colleagues, constituents, and community partners, serving as a trusted advisor and thought partner. Their ability to inspire and empower others positions them as a leader, guiding the organization in aligning its values with its actions, and promoting a supportive work environment where individual contributions are celebrated.

Compensation & Benefits

Salary is competitive and commensurate with experience. The salary range for this role is $200,000 to $240,000 with a generous benefits package.

Contact

Koya Partners has been exclusively retained for this engagement. Express interest in this role by filling out our Talent Profile or emailing the search team directly at [email protected]. All inquiries and discussions are strictly confidential.

Koya Partners l Diversified Search Group is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to individuals living with disabilities. If you are a qualified individual living with a disability and need assistance expressing interest online, please email [email protected]. If you are selected for an interview, you will receive additional information regarding how to request an accommodation for the interview process.

California Community Foundation is an equal opportunity employer and strongly encourages applications from people of color, persons with disabilities, women, and LGBTQ+ applicants.

About Koya Partners l Diversified Search Group

Koya Partners, a Diversified Search Group company, is the nation’s premier search firm dedicated to mission-driven leadership. Since its founding in 2004, Koya has had an exclusive focus on mission-driven clients and was founded on the belief that the right leader can transform an organization and have a deep and measurable impact on our world. Koya works with nonprofits & NGOs, responsible businesses, and social enterprises in local communities and around the world.

Diversified Search Group is consistently recognized by Forbes on its top 10 list of “America’s Best Executive Recruiting Firms” and is an industry leader in recruiting transformational leaders for a changing world. The firm is deliberately different in its approach, with best-in-class teams who have decades of experience in cultivating inclusive leaders, understanding the dimensions of diversity, and building equitable teams.

Learn more about Koya Partners l Diversified Search Group via the firm's website.