Urban Land Institute (ULI), the oldest and largest network of cross-disciplinary real estate and land use experts in the world, seeks a talented and insightful Senior Vice President of Human Resources to advance best practices across human resources functions as well as infuse Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) practices throughout the global operations of ULI as it develops its worldwide reach and navigates a rapidly changing landscape.

The Organization

Founded in 1936 as the National Real Estate Foundation for Practical Research and Education, an independent nonprofit, ULI stands as the world’s preeminent multidisciplinary real estate organization. With a mission to shape the future of the built environment for transformative impact in communities worldwide, ULI now comprises over 45,000 members that form a global network of professionals in every sector of real estate development and land use, from private enterprise to public service. In the face of rapid and widespread changes in demographics, populations, economic drivers, technology, and the natural environment, the ULI mission has never been more compelling or relevant.

ULI facilitates an open exchange of ideas, knowledge and experience among local, national and international industry leaders and policymakers by connecting its members through events, educational programs, forums, and convenings that promote and forward best practices around equitable and sustainable land use. Using this knowledge and resource-sharing work, along with its vast collective expertise and philanthropic engagement, ULI has positioned itself as a leading global voice and visionary in solving wide-ranging community and real estate challenges and advancing equitable and sustainable land development across the world through its global operations and visionary leadership.

With global headquarters in Washington, DC, ULI has a presence in three regions – the Americas, Europe, and Asia Pacific. ULI’s Global Strategic Plan to strengthen member engagement and expand member impact is advanced through a staff of 250, 36 of whom are located internationally.  Reporting to ULI’s Global CEO and a member of the senior leadership team, the Senior Vice President of Human Resources (SVP/HR) manages a team of six and serves as a strategic partner to ULI’s global leadership and operations.

For more information, please visit https://uli.org/about/.

The Position

An integral part of the senior leadership team, the SVP/HR leads outstanding human resource management, developing and implementing strategies and services that drive high levels of employee engagement and empowerment, contributing to the success of the organization and employees.  The successful candidate will lead efforts to position ULI as an organization where high quality and motivated staff want to work and contribute to its mission.

Key priorities include, and are not limited to:

• Ensure the successful implementation of high quality, full employee lifecycle programs and services with a focus on identifying and implementing long-range strategic talent management and leader development goals.
• Position HR as a trusted and valued partner to the business, linking HR to ULI’s strategic goals and creating value through internal partnerships that address ULI’s most pressing resource challenges and opportunities.
• Lead on all aspects of DEI for all staff, integrating program design, ongoing assessment, learning and training, and recognition that creates and fosters an inclusive environment at ULI.
• Lead and guide HR operations, including setting and evaluating legally compliant human resources policies and procedures.

Key Responsibilities

The SVP/HR will provide leadership at the highest level, reporting to the Global CEO of ULI and strategically partnering with eight senior leadership team members encompassing the leadership of other ULI geographic regions and representing the areas of Marketing, Business Operations, External Relations, and Finance. The SVP/HR will directly manage a team of six (one in the UK), including a VP, HR Process and Operations. Primary responsibilities include:

Strategy and Planning

• Collaborate with senior leadership to define the organization’s long-term mission and goals; identify ways to support this mission through the employee lifecycle and talent management.
• Ensure high-quality talent development, recruitment and retention programs tightly linked to ULI’s strategic goals in the Americas, Europe, and Asia Pacific.
• Develop a coordinated and informed organization-wide approach to lifting up and infusing DEI initiatives through assessment, program design, engagement activities, and professional development.
• Work with senior leadership to review, refine, and suggest changes to organizational structures to encourage and provide opportunities for internal advancement and promotion, evaluating the strength of its talent pool and enabling effective decision-making teams.
• Support the Global CEO in forwarding organizational change directives to strengthen the linkages between organizational culture and member service delivery and execution.

Management

• Develop and advance equitable HR policies and practices throughout the talent management lifecycle, creating and maintaining an inclusive and respectful environment at ULI through learning, training, and recognition.
• Ensure effective HR communications and a high level of responsiveness to a wide range of employee and personnel matters, fostering a climate of trust and professionalism.
• Ensure compliance with traditional HR matters related to employment, benefits, insurance, safety, regulations, and requirements including payroll services and vendor relationships.
• Identify key performance indicators for the organization’s HR and talent management functions; assess the organization’s success and market competitiveness based on these metrics.
• Create and manage all Human Resources departmental budgets and oversee payroll services for all ULI staff and its multiple global vendor network including the identification and oversight of local vendors and suppliers to manage international needs, including oversight of Facilities Management at the ULI DC Headquarters.

Relationship Building

• Develop strong relationships with the organization leaders, serving as a trusted advisor to the Global CEO, a peer to senior leadership team members, and an expert to all program leaders at the global, regional, and local level.
• Manage multiple vendor relationships across the global network supporting ULI’s HR operations.
• Create a strong partnership with the SVP, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, connecting ULI’s external program of work with its internal DEI initiatives.
• Collaborate with all internal stakeholders on the development of support to their programs.
• Represent the HR function with other organizations and associations; participate in professional development and networking conferences and events.

Skills and Attributes

Successful candidates will have a global orientation to advancing equitable HR practices that exhibit the highest level of professional practice, while sharing a strong connection to ULI’s mission to shape the future of the built environment for transformative impact.

They will bring a variety of experiences and attributes to ULI including:

• At least ten years of human resource management experience required, with strategic, talent management, and/or organizational development experience highly preferred.
• Strategic mindset with thorough knowledge of employment-related laws, resourceful and flexible with the ability to lead strategic HR initiatives, and a track record in advancing DEI-related initiatives.
• Strong supervisory, leadership, and adaptive skills with the ability to self-direct, handle multiple and competing priorities, and work well under pressure to meet deadlines.
• Strong cultural awareness of a varied and international workforce.
• Empathetic, approachable, and thoughtful disposition to support collaborative decision-making and an orientation toward learning and individual empowerment, emphasizing professional development and recognition.
• Strong written and oral communication and presentation skills, with ability to relate to and communicate effectively with a wide range of individuals and audiences.
• Sophisticated and well-practiced in conflict resolution, comfortable assuming responsibility employing a high degree of emotional intelligence, humility, and integrity.
• Experience building and upholding HR structures including performance management, staff development, and compensation rates.
• Bachelor’s degree in human resources, Business Administration, or related field required, Master’s degree highly preferred. SPHR, GPHR, SHRM-CP strongly preferred.

The SVP/HR may travel within the District Council network (Americas) with occasional Europe or Asia trips to meet stakeholders and staff to ensure a complete understanding of local needs and requirements.

Application Process

To apply, upload resume, cover letter, and salary requirements by clicking here. For other inquiries, contact Adrienne O’Rourke at [email protected]. Resume reviews begin immediately.

ULI is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration

for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or veteran status.

About Raffa – Marcum’s Nonprofit & Social Sector Group

On behalf of ULI, Raffa – Marcum’s Nonprofit & Social Sector Group is working with the organization to advance the search. Founded in 1984 and recently merged with Marcum, Raffa is, and always has been, a mission-driven professional services firm seeking to do more for nonprofits and socially conscious companies like ULI. Learn more about our work at http://marcumllp.com/industries/nonprofit-social-sector.