Chief People Officer

LOCATION: SAN FRANCISCO, CA OR SEATTLE, WA

The Chief People Officer (CPO) is a strategic leader responsible for overseeing all aspects of the people strategy and people operations to drive business success. As a key member of the executive leadership team, the CPO will design and implement innovative talent strategies to attract, develop, and retain top talent while fostering an equitable and inclusive culture that aligns with the firm's mission, values, and strategic goals. This role combines visionary leadership with operational excellence to ensure the company thrives as an employer of choice.

This person will understand the different aspects of building a world class people-oriented organization.

They will have a deep understanding of HR policies, procedures, and practices, rooted in years of practical experience. Critically, they will also have experience with championing employee interests - from developing listening strategies to understand employee needs, to translating that into people strategies that are made tangible in an Employee Value Proposition.

This person will be comfortable in strategic conversations and settings, collaborating with the management team to develop people strategies, and will be just as comfortable in rolling up their sleeves and working with their team and others to tactically implement the strategies. LNW is looking for a creative and nimble leader who both generates ideas and makes them happen - a true "player-coach."

Generally, the scope of the role includes developing and executing people strategies and the employee value propositions, oversight of and working within the areas of employee engagement and culture development and enhancement, employee well-being, compensation and benefits, recruiting, talent acquisition and development, HR policies and procedures, performance management, DEI strategies, and other such related areas and activities.

Your Role and Responsibilities

Representative list of duties the position may be asked to perform and is not intended to be all-inclusive.

People Leadership and Strategic Direction

• Create and implement a People Strategy and the Employee Value Proposition of the firm, working in collaboration with other firm leaders to drive strategies consistent with business objectives and organizational values.
• Participate in management team activities and actively contribute to the leadership of the firm, particularly championing and representing the voice of the employee.
• Lead the people strategy and HR team, creating a team culture aligned with LNW values and behaviors and ensuring team and individual goals are met.
• Maintain understanding of and provide insights to CEO and management team on workforce, talent management culture and other critical industry trends.
• Participates in long-range strategic planning and annual budgeting process; monitors and manage people strategy & human resources budget.
• Utilize data-driven insights to shape people strategies, improve decision-making and measure impact.

Employee Engagement and Culture

• Drive employee engagement initiatives and lead programs that enhance employee engagement, satisfaction and retention. Listen to employees via conversations, surveys and other channels. Strives to understand the current experience and future needs.
• Develop strategies to support employees through their entire professional lifecycle at LNW - from attracting, hiring and onboarding great recruits to developing and retaining great employees. Develop / refine the Employee Value Proposition across the life cycle that supports these strategies and implement it.
• Help build an equitable and inclusive culture that fosters growth, collaboration, acceptance, belonging and well-being for all employees. Build a supportive environment where employees feel empowered to bring their full and authentic selves to work. Partner with the DEIC committee to ensure these principles are baked into people strategy & HR activities and into all aspects of the employee lifecycle.
• Act as a steward of LNW's culture, ensuring that the firm reflects its values in its policies, practices and behaviors. Serve as a trusted advisor and coach to managers and employees alike.

Compensation and Employee Benefits and Well-being

• Lead efforts to assess and improve the company's total rewards strategy to attract and retain top talent. Develop and implement a fair and equitable compensation philosophy, strategy and program in consultation with senior leadership.
• Administer equitable compensation programs including salary ranges and bonus structure, and annual salary review and bonus. Partner in the oversight and administration of employee equity programs.
• Develop, implement, and oversee benefit strategy plans that are equitable, cost-effective and competitive within the industry. Manage benefit programs and vendors, including 401K, medical, dental, and vision plans, EAP, Life/ADD/LTD, flexible spending accounts and generous time off benefits.
• Provide guidance, support and management for payroll manager and benefits manager.
• Lead initiatives to support employee well-being, including mental health programs, work-life balance, and wellness resources.

Talent Acquisition and Development

• Oversee and manage the selection and recruitment process to attract and retain diverse, top-tier talent.
• Provide, guidance and management to HR Generalists and hiring managers to ensure an effective and inclusive recruitment process. As needed, participate in process directly in interviewing, creating job descriptions, pricing, managing selection process, or other aspects of recruiting.
• Oversee onboarding process for welcoming new employees.
• Provide guidance and support to the Senior Manager, Learning & Development to develop and implement learning and development programs to support employee growth and career progression.
• Lead initiatives to develop clear and transparent paths to advancement and robust leadership pipelines and succession plans.

Operational Excellence

• Design, plan, implement and oversee programs and policies relating to all phases of people strategy & human resources including recruitment, compensation, benefits, employee relations, and talent management. Ensure equitable best practices and compliance with all applicable federal, state, and local laws in the areas of employment and benefits.
• Lead workforce planning and organizational design to meet current and future business needs.
• Continuously evaluate and improve people processes, leveraging technology to enhance efficiency and employee experience.

Duties and responsibilities will increase and vary based on needs of business.

More About You

Experience, Education, Professional Designations

• 12+ years of progressive people/HR experience in professional services, with at least 5 years of hands-on leadership directly overseeing all aspects of the people/HR function.
• Relevant and demonstrated experience in most or all the areas described above in the Essential Functions, Duties and Responsibilities.
• Strong knowledge of labor laws, regulations, and people/HR best practices. Multi-state and hybrid workplace experience including comprehensive knowledge of California and Washington employment law is required. Washington and New York experience is a plus.
• Experience in the following areas is also a plus: Financial services or wealth management experience; Compensation plan development; Self-insured medical plans or Captive medical plans; Controlled groups; and Policies and practices related to fully remote employees
• Ability to travel as required (4-6 times per year).
• Bachelor's degree in business, human resource management or related field; additional experience may be substituted for education.
• Appropriate professional designation, such as SPHR/PHR and/or advanced degree, preferred.

Skills and Attributes

• Excellent leadership, management and interpersonal skills. Inspirational and motivational. Strong executive presence.
• Capable of leading and developing others. Team oriented. Skilled in cultural transformation and change leadership and guiding organizations through change with resilience and adaptability.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Strategic, creative thinker in crafting best in class people-centric strategies and programs aligned with the firm's long-term goals and identifying new opportunities to enhance employee engagement and performance.
• Demonstrates empathy, self-awareness and strong relationship-building skills. Empathetic in handling sensitive employee issues. Ability to work effectively with sensitive situations and confidential information. Sound professional judgement.
• Proficiency in using HR analytics and technology to inform strategic decision-making - Microsoft Office required with specific depth in MS Excel. Experience with HRIS (Paylocity) strongly preferred.
• High ethical standards. Strongly aligned with all LNW Values and Behaviors.
• Results-oriented and strong organizational skills with an attention to detail and ability to multi-task in a fast-paced environment.

Requirements

• Candidates must meet all employment qualifications in force at time of hiring, including successful passing of all pre-employment examinations and background checks, if appropriate.
• Must sign all employee agreements.
• Ability to perform the essential functions, duties and responsibilities set forth in a consistent and efficient manner.

Our TeamYou will be joining a team that is dedicated to helping our clients achieve their goals by providing exceptional investment management and client service and wealth planning services. Putting our clients first guides our decision-making and culture, and allows us to build long-term, caring and trusted relationships.

We love working in a professional yet collaborative working environment. We encourage openness, active listening, mutual respect, candor and integrity. We cultivate a diverse and inclusive work environment where we encourage a work/life balance through a generous PTO policy and flexible work hours. We enjoy each other's company at team and firm wide outings. We take a hybrid in-office/remote working approach.

Compensation and BenefitsWe provide a competitive salary commensurate with your experience and skills and offer an annual bonus based on company and individual performance. The hiring base salary range for this position is $250,000 to $325,000 plus eligible for a year-end bonus, depending on location, experience, and on achieving performance objectives.

We offer excellent benefits including medical, dental, and vision coverage; generous time off; flexible spending plans for health care, transportation, and dependent care; 401(k) plan, educational reimbursements, and more. Detailed information can be found on our site and here.

About UsLaird Norton Wetherby (LNW) serves exceptional families and individuals seeking to activate the full potential of their wealth. To help turn lifelong ambitions and multigenerational aspirations into reality, LNW brings to each client relationship a high level of care combined with deep expertise in wealth and legacy planning, investments, and trust and estate services.

Offering both RIA (Registered Investment Advisor) and trust services, LNW is committed to providing clients with unbiased, independent guidance and solutions. LNW has offices in Seattle, San Francisco, New York, Los Angeles and Philadelphia, as well as an affiliated trust company in South Dakota, empowering clients across the U.S. and around the world.

LNW is owned by employees and majority owned by Laird Norton Company, one of the longest-sustained family enterprises in the United States. To learn more, please visit LNWAdvisors.com.

Additional InformationOur firm aims to cultivate an inclusive environment and culture that fosters growth, collaboration and acceptance; where we celebrate the diverse voices and perspectives of our employees; and where employees feel empowered to bring their full, authentic selves. Our diversity drives us forward and helps us build deeper relationships with our clients and our community.

We are an equal opportunity employer that prohibits discrimination against employees, applicants for employment, individuals providing services in the workplace pursuant to a contract, unpaid interns and volunteers based on their actual or perceived sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, ancestry, marital status, registered domestic partner status, military and veteran status, civil air patrol status, national origin, immigration status, pregnancy (including childbirth and related medical conditions, and including medical conditions related to lactation) or medical condition (cancer and genetic characteristics).

*As of 11/22/2024
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