Chief operations officer Jobs in Santa Ana, CA

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Position Summary

The Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO) is a strategic leader responsible for setting and advancing the organization's people strategy in alignment with mission, values, and long-term priorities. This role provides executive oversight of human resources for both staff and volunteer populations, ensuring a cohesive, compliant, and mission-aligned approach to people, culture, and organizational effectiveness.

The CHRO leads HR strategy, organizational development, learning and development, and volunteer HR governance. This role serves as a trusted advisor to the CEO and executive leadership team, driving initiatives that strengthen culture, leadership capability, and organizational performance.

Essential Responsibilities/Activities:

Strategic Leadership

• Develop and execute a comprehensive people strategy aligned with organizational goals and mission delivery
• Serve as a strategic advisor to the CEO and executive leadership team on organizational design, workforce planning, and culture
• Lead change management efforts related to organizational restructuring, growth, and evolving service models
• Establish and monitor key people metrics to inform decision-making and drive accountability

HR Operations & Compliance

• Provide executive oversight of HR operations, ensuring alignment with organizational priorities, policies, and compliance requirements
• Oversee escalation and resolution of high-risk employee relations and HR operational issues
• Serve as executive approver for payroll processing prior to submission
• Lead HR compliance strategy and ensure adherence to federal, state, and local employment laws
• Ensure governance of key HR processes including payroll, benefits, HRIS, and leave programs
• Oversee organizational change, workforce planning, and restructuring initiatives in partnership with executive leadership

Volunteer HR Leadership

• Oversee volunteer HR operations, ensuring alignment between staff and volunteer experience, policies, and practices
• Partner with program and field leadership to strengthen volunteer engagement, support, and retention
• Ensure scalable systems and processes to support a large and diverse volunteer population

Learning & Development

• With the L&D Director, design and implement programs that support manager effectiveness, team performance, and leadership pipelines
• Foster a culture of continuous learning, feedback, and development across staff and volunteers

Organizational Culture & Engagement

• Champion a healthy, inclusive, and mission-driven culture aligned with Girl Scout values
• Lead employee engagement strategies, including surveys, action planning, and retention initiatives
• Partner with leadership to strengthen communication, alignment, and accountability across the organization

Team Leadership

• Lead, develop, and mentor a team including HR Operations, Volunteer HR, and Learning & Development
• Build a high-performing HR function with clear priorities, accountability, and strong service orientation
• Ensure effective collaboration across departments and with external partners

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or related field required
• 8+ years of progressive HR leadership experience, including senior-level roles
• Experience leading multi-functional HR teams, including operations and learning and development
• Strong knowledge of Federal and CA employment law and HR best practices.
• Demonstrated experience in compensation, benefits, L&D, employee relations, recruiting, organizational design, change management, and culture transformation
• Experience working in or alongside mission-driven or nonprofit organizations preferred
• Willingness to support and embody the mission, values, and principles of the Girl Scout Movement.
• Licensed and insured California driver; must pass background screening including driving history.

Key Competencies

• Strategic thinking with strong execution capability
• Sound judgment and high integrity in complex situations
• Ability to influence and partner effectively with senior leaders
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills
• Ability to balance mission, people, and operational needs
• Data-informed decision making
• Operates at both a strategic and hands-on level

GSOC is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. GSOC is committed to a process of diversity, equity and inclusion.