Associate Director of Human Resources

The Bridgespan Group (“Bridgespan”) is a global nonprofit that aims to build a better world by strengthening the ability of mission-driven organizations, philanthropists, impact investors, and corporations to achieve breakthrough results in addressing society’s most important challenges and opportunities.

Founded in 2000, Bridgespan has offices in Boston, Johannesburg, Mumbai, New York, San Francisco, and Singapore. Across these six locations, we have a diverse team of staff with varied backgrounds and experience across multiple sectors. We work with social change organizations such as TaRL Africa, Tiko, and CAMFED; philanthropies and foundations such as OSF, Women First Fund, and The Ford Foundation; impact investors such as TPG’s Rise Fund, Black Ambition, and AfricInvest; and bold funding collaboratives such as TED’s Audacious Project and Co-Impact.

We value diversity, passion, respect, candor, and most of all having social impact and working towards societies characterized by equity and justice. Equity is central to all that we do. Our mission to break cycles of poverty is impossible if we do not also achieve equity and racial equity in the US, given the intersection of issues of race, gender, caste, etc., with poverty and justice. We are doing the essential work to build a team and leadership at all levels that is diverse, develop a truly inclusive culture, and integrate a focus on equity in all our client work.

As our firm's global footprint expands, we seek individuals who are enthusiastic about collaborating with teams across the globe. If you want to work with the market leader that bridges the worlds of game-changing philanthropists, social change leaders, and impact investors, then Bridgespan is the place for you.

Position

The Associate Director is a member of the global Human Resources team, partnering closely with all HR team members and reporting to the VP of Global HR in the US with a dotted line to the Office Head in Johannesburg. The Associate Director will act as a thought partner to the Africa leadership team, providing insights and recommendations on talent strategies, workforce planning, and organizational design to achieve business objectives. In addition, they will be responsible for, and not limited to, Performance Management, Recruiting, Employee Relations, Training & Onboarding, Policy Management, Compensation, and Benefits.

Responsibilities and Duties

Performance Management

• Lead the bi-annual performance review process for our Advisory staff and annual process for our Core Services.
• Lead and participate in employee performance discussions, including performance check-ins on new employees and struggling employees.
• Support managers as needed in addressing underperformance, at times developing and coordinating performance improvement plans.

Recruiting

• Lead recruiting efforts for Advisory and Core Services positions.
• Utilize sourcing tools, including internal database searches, job boards, social media outlets, and referrals to increase applicant pools.
• Review resumes and conduct phone screens.
• Coordinate candidate interview and evaluation process.
• Maintain data related to recruitment activity via Applicant Tracking System (Taleo).
• Develop talent communities to continually engage candidates.

Employee Relations

• Manage one-off and ongoing Employee Relations issues that arise, including but not limited to requests for accommodation, personal, family, or health challenges for employees, difficult team dynamics, work-life balance issues, or professional development roadblocks.
• Handle all (voluntary & involuntary) employee departures, coordinating exit logistics, conducting exit interviews, preparing separation paperwork if/as needed, partner with Payroll on final payments, etc.
• Coordinate leaves of absence and support employees through the process.
• Manage sabbatical program, including coordination with employees and leadership.

Training and Onboarding

• Responsible for all onboarding activities for new hires including:
• Notifying internal teams of the start date of our new hires.
• Coordinating with tech support to ensure new joiners have laptops.
• Assign people supports to new joiners.
• Collaborate with Training team on training schedule.
• Responsible for entering and maintaining records in HRIS.

Benefits

• Advise and inform employees of the details of the company's benefit programs.
• Liaise with vendors and negotiate and coordinate contracts for new and existing plans.
• Design benefit appropriate programs with a focus on wellness in the workplace to improve health outcomes.

Employee Engagement and Culture

• Support leadership in cultivating a purpose-driven, people-first culture that aligns with organizational values.
• Develop and implement employee engagement initiatives tailored to the region’s needs.

Other responsibilities

• Collaborate with regional and global HR teams to ensure alignment of HR initiatives with the organization’s broader goals.
• In partnership with DEI team members, support Bridgespan’s work to create an inclusive environment of involvement, respect, and connection – where the richness of ideas, backgrounds, and perspectives are harnessed to advance work and create impact.
• Ensure compliance with local labor laws and regulations, partnering with legal and compliance teams as needed.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree and 10 years of HR experience required.
• Must be able to work both independently, and as an integral member of various teams.
• Ability to handle multiple demands and appropriately prioritize tasks as necessary.
• Ability to work with a high degree of independence, and generate high-quality output consistently.
• High degree of professionalism, tact, and confidentiality required.
• Commitment to fostering an inclusive and equitable workplace.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills are required.
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Must be comfortable working in a fast-paced and continuous improvement environment.
• Commitment to strong performance, high standard of accountability, and openness to feedback.
• Excellent relationship-building and influencing skills.

Why Join Us?

• Be part of a growing and dynamic region with exciting opportunities for professional development and impact.
• Be part of a mission-driven organization committed to making a meaningful impact.
• Collaborate with a diverse, passionate team of professionals.
• Opportunity to shape and influence HR strategies in a growing and dynamic region.
• Competitive compensation and benefits package.

This role is open to candidates eligible to work in South Africa; unfortunately, we are unable to provide any visa support.

At Bridgespan, we are committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion because we are passionate about helping our clients achieve breakthrough results. An organization that reflects the diversity of our clients and their beneficiaries will produce deeper relationships, engagement, and insights. Bridgespan is committed to providing equal opportunities. We serve diverse organizations and are committed to non-discrimination. Bridgespan will not discriminate against any employee with respect to any term or condition of employment, including but not limited to less favorable treatment, exclusion from employment or employment opportunities (including hiring, assignment, performance assessment, and promotion) on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, citizenship, ancestry, gender (including pregnancy), gender identity, age, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, expression, veteran’s status, or other protected characteristics or status. We actively partner with organizations representing minority concerns and interests to build high-performing teams that mirror the communities we serve.

All company-sponsored programs including training, job, social, and recreational activities are required to be nondiscriminatory and all human resource practices are monitored to ensure equal opportunity.