PAWS, the Philadelphia Animal Welfare Society, is seeking a strategic, experienced, resourceful, and compassionate human resources professional dedicated to advancing PAWS’ mission to make Philadelphia a place where every savable pet is guaranteed a home, and every pet owner has the support they need to keep their family whole.

General Position Summary:
By leading its HR operations and initiatives and cultivating, supporting, and strengthening our team, the Human Resources Manager (HRM) plays a vital role in maximizing the positive impact that PAWS makes in the communities we serve. The HRM is responsible for managing the full scope of PAWS’ HR functions, including recruitment, succession planning, organizational culture evaluation and improvement, employee handbook updates, and supporting managers in the performance review and employee coaching process. As a member of PAWS’ leadership team, the HRM collaborates with directors and managers across the organization to foster a positive, productive, and inclusive workplace environment, aligning talent strategies with organizational goals, and ensuring a strong organizational culture that embodies PAWS’ values and prioritizes employee and organizational well-being and growth.

Key Responsibilities:

Lead organizational recruiting and onboarding processes.
—Partner with managers to ensure talent acquisition aligns with organizational needs, goals, and culture.
— Develop and implement effective recruitment strategies to attract top talent across various functions.
— Utilize data-driven insights to improve recruitment processes and ensure diversity, equity, and inclusion.
— Oversee and manage the entire recruitment cycle, from identifying staffing needs to screening, vetting, and onboarding new employees.
— Develop and implement thoughtful onboarding and training processes to ensure new staff members are welcomed onto the team, knowledgeable about their role and responsibilities, and integrated into the organization as a whole.

Assist managers with employee performance reviews, counseling, coaching, and disciplinary action.
— Help establish clear performance metrics and goals for employees, ensuring alignment with organizational objectives and a performance review and counseling process that is fair, transparent, and focuses on employee strengths and areas for improvement.
— Ensure effective and timely performance reviews are performed for all staff by their direct supervisors, providing guidance and support to managers in conducting reviews as needed.
— Assist managers in identifying areas for employee development and in setting up coaching or mentoring plans to foster growth, nurture talent, and develop leadership in line with the organization’s goals.
— Offer resources and strategies to managers to improve their skills in giving constructive feedback and managing performance effectively.
— Set high standards of conduct, holding staff accountable for their performance, offering praise and constructive criticism as appropriate to elicit each staff member’s best work, and taking disciplinary action as needed in accordance with PAWS’ employment policies.

Work collaboratively as part of the leadership team to foster a strong workplace culture that prioritizes employee well-being, engagement, and growth, as well as organizational health.
— Foster open communication and solicit feedback through regular surveys, focus groups, and one-on-one meetings to evaluate organizational culture, understand concerns, receive input, and share ideas.
— Utilize assessments to proactively address issues and develop actionable plans to enhance employee satisfaction and retention, and strengthen a positive, productive, and inclusive workplace with understanding across departments.
— Effectively resolve conflicts among staff members through individual and group discussion as appropriate.

Develop and manage a robust succession planning process to identify and nurture high-potential talent for future leadership roles.
— Collaborate with senior leadership to assess organizational needs and develop actionable plans for employee development and growth.

Administer and develop PAWS’ payroll, time management, and benefits programs.
— Process biweekly payroll, ensuring accuracy and addressing scheduling/compensation issues as they arise.
— Ensure staff members are aware of and utilizing available benefits available, process enrollments and updates as needed, and serve as the primary contact for questions or needed assistance.
— Assess benefit programs and plans annually (or more often if needed) to ensure they meet PAWS’ needs in terms of quality, appropriateness, and cost, and evaluate and recommend alternatives as needed.
— Identify new benefits that are desired by staff or should be considered based on industry standards or trends, collect proposals, and evaluate and recommend.

Review, maintain, and update PAWS’ employee handbook.
— In collaboration with the Executive Director and outside experts as needed, ensure PAWS’ employee handbook properly and thoroughly addresses workplace conduct, attendance and disciplinary policies, and other essential topics.
— Regularly review and update the employee handbook to ensure it remains in compliance with legal standards and best practices.
— Ensure that company policies and procedures are clear, equitable, and aligned with organizational values.
— Communicate updates to employees and provide training or resources as needed to ensure all employees understand and are adhering to new and revised policies and procedures.

Qualifications:
— Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related field (Master’s and/or SHRM certification preferred).
— Minimum of 5 years’ progressive HR leadership experience, with a strong background in recruitment, employee development, and organizational culture management.
— Demonstrated commitment to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace
— Proven experience in leading succession planning initiatives and creating strategies for talent development.
— Exceptional interpersonal, verbal and written communication, organizational, and customer service skills.
— Deep understanding of labor laws, HR best practices, and employee relations.
— Ability to work collaboratively with senior leadership to drive organizational change and improvement.

Additional required skills and qualities:
— Commitment to PAWS’ mission to keep families together by providing excellent, accessible veterinary care to pet owners who may not be able to afford it otherwise, and to provide lifesaving opportunities to stray and surrendered animals, with the ultimate goal of a loving home for every savable pet.
— Commitment to and embodiment of PAWS’ values of urgency, volume, quality of care, approachability, leadership, and organizational health.
— Dedication to promoting a humane and caring attitude toward all animals.
— Empathy, patience, an outgoing nature, and the ability to get along well with a variety of people.
— Ability to think strategically and execute effectively, while being flexible and innovative as needs and opportunities arise.
— Strong analytical skills with experience in data-driven decision making.
— Maturity, strong sense of leadership, and ability to take initiative and problem-solve, identifying and prioritizing tasks appropriately, and working independently with minimal supervision and direction.
— Ability to maintain a calm, professional, and respectful demeanor at all times, even in stressful situations.
— Computer proficient in Microsoft Office and Google products.
— Proficient in, or willingness to become proficient in, the various shelter and clinic management systems utilized by PAWS (Clinic HQ, ShelterLuv, Airtable, and others).

Physical Requirements:
— Allergic conditions that would be aggravated when exposed to animals may be a disqualification.

Hours:
This is an exempt position. PAWS is open seven days a week. A minimum of 40 hours per week is required. Daily schedule and hours may vary according to the needs of the organization, including occasional evening or weekend hours based on staff and operational needs. This position may have the flexibility to work from a remote office of their choosing up to one day per week. While onsite, the HRM will work from PAWS’ Spay/Neuter and Wellness Clinic in Philadelphia’s Grays Ferry neighborhood and from PAWS’ Northeast Spay/Neuter and Wellness Clinic in Northeast Philadelphia.

Benefits:
— Medical insurance and prescription coverage through Independence Blue Cross (two medical plans to choose from); PAWS pays majority of premiums
— Dental insurance through MetLife; PAWS pays majority of premium
— 401(k) plan with employer matching, administered by TransAmerica
— Nine paid holidays per year
— Generous paid time off (PTO)
— Free and heavily discounted clinic services, lab work, prescription diets, and medications for your own pets
— Employee Assistance Program (EAP) through HealthAdvocate
— Voluntary benefits (long- and short-term disability, life, and accident insurance) through Colonial Life

Direct Supervisor:
Executive Director

About the Philadelphia Animal Welfare Society (PAWS)
PAWS is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization dedicated to saving Philadelphia’s homeless and at-risk pets. PAWS is the city’s largest rescue partner and provider of affordable veterinary care for pet owners and rescue organizations that cannot otherwise access it. Each year, PAWS saves and finds loving homes for thousands of animals in need. Through its two low-cost, high-volume spay/neuter and wellness clinics, PAWS serves approximately 28,000 animals each year, enabling families to keep their cherished pets and preventing shelter surrenders. PAWS is working to make Philadelphia a place where every savable pet is guaranteed a home.

To apply, please email your resume and cover letter to melissa@phillypaws.org