Senior Director of Human Resources

Title: Senior Director of Human Resources

Reports to: CFO/VP of Administration

Status: Salaried, Exempt

Location: Seattle, WA or Remote Home Office

Foundation Overview:

The Max Foundation is a leading global health nonprofit organization dedicated to accelerating health equity. For more than 28 years, Max has pioneered practical, scalable, high-quality solutions to bring life-extending treatments and patient-centered health care to more than 100,000 people living with cancer and critical illness in low- and middle-income countries. Max believes in a world where all people can access high-impact medicines, where geography is not destiny, and where everyone can strive for health with dignity and with hope. Learn more at www.themaxfoundation.org.

Role Summary:

The Senior Director of Human Resources serves as the organization’s global HR leader, responsible for designing and executing a comprehensive people strategy that supports The Max Foundation’s mission to accelerate health equity. Reporting to the CFO/VP of Administration, this role partners closely with executive leadership to strengthen organizational effectiveness through strategic workforce planning, organizational design, and data-informed decision-making, while also ensuring excellence across all core HR operations. With responsibility for recruitment, compliance, performance management, employee engagement, and other HR initiatives. Operating across a globally distributed workforce, this role fosters a values-driven culture that enables teams to deliver meaningful impact for patients worldwide.

Responsibilities:

Design and execute global HR strategy aligned with mission and organizational priorities

Serve as the senior HR advisor to executive leadership, providing guidance on people-related risks, opportunities, and organizational effectiveness

Oversee all HR operations, ensuring compliance with federal, state, local, and applicable international employment laws across globally distributed workforce

Maintain and continuously improve HR policies, procedures, and personnel recordkeeping to ensure consistency, audit readiness, and alignment with both U.S. and global requirements

Oversee recruitment, onboarding, and workforce planning

Supervise employee engagement, recognition, and team-building initiatives that reinforce organizational culture and values

Manage, optimize, and negotiate benefits portfolio and compensation in collaboration with industry partners

Structure, lead, and manage a high functioning HR team; builds organizational capacity through strong leadership, clear accountability, and continuous development of people and processes

Foster a culture of reliability, attention to detail, and continuous improvement within the HR function

Architect and implement performance management systems and leadership development

Establish and uphold high standards for accuracy, consistency, and accountability across all HR functions

Optimize HR Systems (Modern HRIS, Training platforms, etc.) to improve reporting, data integrity, and operational capability

Lead the assessment and advancement of organizational health by integrating insights from diverse data sources to drive employee satisfaction, strengthen retention, and drive the mission of the organization

Qualifications:

Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or related field required; Master’s preferred. Senior-level certification (SHRM-SCP or SPHR) are highly preferred

10+ years of progressive HR experience, with at least 5 years in a leadership role (HR Director, Head of HR, or similar), experience in global or nonprofit environments preferred

Proven track record of building an HR function including people strategy and organizational structure leadership

Demonstrated experience managing an HR department budget, directly overseeing employee benefits opportunities and compensation structuring for a globally distributed workforce

Ability to assess organizational impact; recommends actions aligned with strategic priorities, and take initiative with solutions that drive organizational health

Advanced proficiency with modern HRIS platforms and data analytics tools to enhance people strategy decisions

Strong knowledge of employment laws and HR best practices in alignment with both U.S. and global requirements

Willing and able to travel domestically or internationally, averaging 20% annually

Skills and Attributes:

Passionate about The Max Foundation’s mission and vision, and determined to lead and accomplish all goals related to current and future strategic plans

High attention to detail and a high standard for quality work product

Understanding of and comfortable in a global environment, with an emphasis on low and middle-income countries

Passion for exceptional collaboration, and flexibility to do what it takes to elevate positive culture

Comfort working in a complex, fast-paced, and high-workload environment

Caring, humble, and people-oriented servant leader

Resourceful, finds solutions using all available data to overcome challenges impacting the organization

Benefits Summary:

Employer-sponsored benefits include:

100% medical, dental, and vision premium coverage for employees; 50% premium coverage for spouse and/or dependents

Annual vacation accrual 80 hours (increases over time), personal time accrual of 104 hours, 12 paid company holidays, and 2 floating holidays per year

$10,000 Basic Life and AD&D insurance coverage; Short-term disability insurance

Additional benefits include:

Flexible Spending Account (FSA)

Optional employee covered Long Term Disability and Supplemental Life Insurance

Eligibility for our Safe Harbor 401k plan participation after 3 months of employment, including Max-paid 3% non-elective contribution regardless of participation

Monthly wellness benefit (earn up to $70/month), Costco membership, and WFH/Commuter Stipend ($1,800/year)

Compensation: Typical hiring range for this role is $134,475 – $161,370 USD. Offers will factor in relevant candidate qualifications, cost of labor, pay equity, and geographical location. No relocation provided; remote location possible.

To Apply: Visit our website at https://www.themaxfoundation.org/careers to apply. Please include résumé and cover letter.

The Max Foundation is dedicated to diversity in staff and is an equal opportunity employer.