ABOUT THE POSITION
The Director of People Experience (DPE) is a strategic and hands-on leader responsible for shaping PAWS’ workplace culture, people strategy, and employee experience. Serving as both the organization’s senior human resources partner and an operational HR generalist, the DPE provides vision, structure, and leadership across all aspects of the employee lifecycle — from recruitment through engagement, development, and retention.
This role oversees human resources, safety, volunteer and internship programs, customer care, and office administration functions. The DPE ensures compliance with all employment and safety laws, promotes a culture grounded in PAWS’ values, and partners closely with the CEO and senior leadership team to build a healthy, high-performing, and inclusive organization.

The Director leads efforts to strengthen equity, inclusion, and belonging (EIB); fosters employee well-being; and ensures that PAWS remains an employer of choice in the nonprofit and animal welfare sector.  This role will be office from our Lynnwood Administrative Offices but will require occasional travel to our Snohomish Wildlife Rehabilitation Center and Seattle Cat City Shelter.

I. Strategic People Leadership & Organizational Culture
•    Provide strategic leadership for all people-related functions (HR, Volunteer, Safety), ensuring alignment with PAWS’ mission, vision, and values.
•    Serve as a trusted advisor to the CEO and senior leadership team on organizational culture, structure, and workforce planning.
•    Champion and drive a culture of accountability, transparency, inclusion, and belonging, integrating Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (EIB) principles across all programs and practices.
•    Lead the creation, review, and communication of HR policies to ensure organizational compliance, clarity, and consistency.
•    Oversee the People Experience team (HR, Volunteer Management, Customer Care, and Administration), ensuring professional growth and functional alignment.

II. Talent Management & Development
•    Develop and implement multi-year strategies for the full talent lifecycle, including acquisition, retention, professional development, and succession planning.
•    Design and manage equitable systems for job classification, compensation, and benefits (health/retirement) in partnership with the CEO and Finance team to ensure competitiveness and fairness.
•    Lead staff development initiatives, including leadership coaching, training programs, and talent mobility strategies to enhance employee engagement and retention.
•    Measure and analyze workforce engagement, retention, and satisfaction to guide organizational improvement and effectiveness efforts.

III. Operational Excellence & Compliance (HR/Volunteer)
•    Manage all core HR operations, ensuring legal compliance with federal, state, and local employment laws, including oversight of employee records, HRIS data, and payroll compliance.
•    Serve as the primary internal consultant for employees and managers, providing expert guidance on employee relations, performance management, and policy interpretation.
•    Maintain and streamline a fair, consistent, and equitable approach to personnel management, including managing internal investigations and conflict resolution.
•    Provide strategic oversight and integration of the volunteer and internship programs, collaborating with department leaders to enhance recruitment, engagement, and retention while ensuring all programs meet legal and safety standards.

IV. Safety, Risk Management, & Facilities
•    Lead and oversee PAWS’ organization-wide Safety Program and Safety & Health Committee, ensuring compliance with all regulatory requirements (OSHA/WISHA) and fostering a proactive culture of workplace safety.
•    Coordinate emergency preparedness planning and training in collaboration with Operations and Facilities leadership.
•    Oversee office administration, facilities coordination, and administrative vendor relationships to support efficient administrative operations.

V. Organizational Leadership & Stakeholder Management
•    Serve as an active and collaborative member of PAWS’ senior leadership team, contributing to strategic planning, organizational alignment, and high-level decision-making.
•    Oversee customer care and administrative functions, establishing service standards and quality assurance systems to ensure a professional and positive experience for the public and internal stakeholders.
•    Partner with peer directors to promote transparency, collaboration, and shared accountability across all departments.

CONTROLS OVER WORK:
Works under the general direction of the CEO and exercises broad authority to fulfill established responsibilities. Operates collaboratively with other senior leaders to maintain alignment with organizational strategy and mission.

POSITION REQUIREMENTS 
The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

EDUCATION:
Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or related field; advanced degree preferred.

RELATED EXPERIENCE:
•    Minimum of 10 years of progressively responsible HR experience, including at least five in a management or senior HR leadership role.
•    Experience overseeing the full HR function (recruitment, compensation, benefits, training, employee relations, and compliance).
•    Minimum of five years of direct supervisory experience.
•    Proven experience managing payroll, HRIS systems, and policy development.
•    Demonstrated success building or leading volunteer or internship programs a plus.
•    Experience leading organizational safety programs preferred.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, OR REGISTRATIONS:
•    HR Certification (SPHR or SHRM-SCP) strongly preferred

REQUIRED COMPETENCIES:
•    Strategic thinker with ability to connect HR practices to organizational mission and goals.
•    Deep understanding of employment law, compliance, and HR best practices.
•    Excellent communication, problem-solving, and organizational skills.
•    Strong leadership and coaching abilities; able to influence and build trust at all levels.
•    Demonstrated commitment to PAWS’ values—compassion, commitment, trust, respect, and courage—and to equity, inclusion, and belonging.
•    Customer-focused mindset with a dedication to employee engagement and experience.
•    Strong proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and HRIS platforms.
•    Adaptable, collaborative, and solutions-oriented with the ability to thrive in a dynamic, mission-driven environment. 

TECHNICAL SKILLS: 
To perform this job successfully, an individual should have knowledge of working in a hands-on leadership role best and thrive in a dynamic environment where they can influence strategy, shape organizational policies, and also roll up their sleeves to manage the daily HR, administrative, payroll, and office operations.

SCHEDULE:
Typically Monday through Friday with weekends and holidays as required. Role is hybrid with at least two days in office based in Lynnwood office, plus ability to travel to Snohomish Wildlife Center and Seattle Cat Shelter when needed.

TRAVEL:
Travel to multiple locations, for meetings, training, or off-site events.

VACCINATIONS:
None required.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS: 
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit for prolonged periods of time at a desk and work on a computer. This will require the use of standard office equipment such as computer, keyboard, telephone, and copier. Occasional standing, walking, bending, or lifting up to 15 lbs. (such as files, office supplies, or small equipment). Occasionally required to stoop, kneel, squat, crouch, or crawl. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus. Some local travel required.

WORK ENVIRONMENT: 
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly exposed to companion animals. The noise level in the work environment is low to moderate.

SCOPE OF SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:
Oversees and guides the work of People Experience, Customer Care, and Office Management staff; provides mentorship, coaching, and annual evaluations.

DISCLAIMER: The information in this document is provided for guidance purposes only. It should not be construed as legal advice and is not intended to be a substitute for legal counsel.