Director of People & Culture
Work with a purpose as part of a team empowering people to change their lives.
Join a team dedicated to helping every person—participants, volunteers, donors, and staff—realize the fullness of who it is God created us to be as we fight poverty with dignity.
About Salt & Light (S&L)
We are a non-denominational, Christian nonprofit not affiliated with any one church, rather, working with many different individuals, churches, businesses, and organizations in fulfilling our mission and vision.
Our doors first opened January 2004 in Champaign, IL as we began handing out food and clothing to local families. Very quickly we became the largest “emergency food program” in Champaign County, and a leader in the community for providing access to basic resources. In addition to the weekly assistance provided through the food pantry and clothing closet, we partnered with area churches and businesses in large events designed to help families with school supplies in the fall, meals at Thanksgiving, and gifts at Christmas.
We later added financial education classes and a computer lab, both of which represented not just the addition of new programs but signaled a desire to move away from just providing things, to offering opportunities for people to grow.
After wrestling with the theologies and ideologies found in the book When Helping Hurts, we felt led to design a more developmental approach to meeting basic needs. Our new model created opportunities for individuals to acquire the resources they needed through use of the skills, gifts, and abilities God had given them. Instead of being handed a preselected bag of groceries, our participants now shopped with store credit earned through volunteering. The stores we now operate in Urbana and Champaign are open to the entire community and generate revenue to support the store credit participants earn in addition to our other programs and services.
About the Position
Reporting to the Executive Director, the Director of People & Culture (DPC) is a HR Generalist opportunity helping to fulfill our mission and vision by working closely with the Executive Director, other senior leadership, Team Leads, Team Members, and volunteers to develop the people and culture that makes S&L what it is. This includes establishing a safe, spiritually healthy environment serving everyone by creating opportunities to grow both individually and collectively.
We are looking for someone who is efficient and comfortable being a member of a team. The ability to multi-task is essential in this position, and the ideal candidate would be resourceful, a good problem-solver, and organized. The ability to balance the administrative responsibilities of a typical HR Manager role while developing the people and organizational culture is essential.
Alignment with Salt & Light’s Statement of Beliefs and a pastoral reference are required for consideration.
Responsibilities
Partner with leadership team to understand and execute the organization’s human resource and talent strategy particularly as it relates to current and future talent needs, recruiting, retention, and succession planning.
Review, track, and document compliance with mandatory and non-mandatory training, continuing education, and work assessments. This may include safety training, anti-harassment training, professional licensure, and aptitude exams and certifications.
Facilitate the hiring of qualified job applicants for open positions; collaborate with departmental managers to understand skills and competencies required for openings.
Conduct or acquire background checks and employee eligibility verifications.
Implement new hire orientation and employee recognition program.
Perform routine tasks required to administer and execute human resource programsincluding but not limited to compensation, benefits, and leave; disciplinary matters; disputes and investigations; performance and talent management; productivity, recognition, and morale; occupational health and safety; training and development.
Handle employment-related inquiries from applicants, employees, and supervisors, referring complex and/or sensitive matters to the appropriate staff.
Attend and participate in employee disciplinary meetings, terminations, and investigations.
Maintain compliance with federal, state, and local employment laws and regulations, and recommended best practices; reviews policies and practices to maintain compliance.
Maintain knowledge of trends, best practices, regulatory changes, and new technologies in human resources, talent management, and employment law.
Create learning and development programs and initiatives for employees.
Ability to align Salt & Light’s Mission and Vision with the development and strengthening of the organization’s culture and values in alignment with the bible.
Perform other duties as assigned.
Position Qualifications & Skills
Alignment with our “Statement of Beliefs” and commitment to our Mission & Vision.
Attends a local church.
Knowledge and understanding of the bible.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
Excellent interpersonal, negotiation, and conflict resolution skills.
Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
Ability to prioritize tasks and to delegate them when appropriate.
Ability to act with integrity, professionalism, and confidentiality.
Thorough knowledge of employment-related laws and regulations.
Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite or related software.
Proficiency with or the ability to quickly learn the organizations HRIS and talent management systems.
Required Education & Experience
Minimum of bachelor’s degree in Human Resources with preference given to candidates with a master’s
Minimum 3 years of human resource experience
Wages & Benefits
Starting Salary of $50,000 - $60,000
Health Insurance (S&L covers 80% of cost on average)
Generous Paid Time Off
Pre-tax supplemental insurance options
401k options
Why You Should Apply
You want to be a part of something bigger than yourself
You want to make a difference in the lives of others and the community you are a part of
Significant opportunities for both personal and professional growth
Healthy, flexible, and relationally focused work environment
Statement of Beliefs
The Bible: We believe the Bible is the inspired Word of God and stands as the central authority over our lives, our faith, and the direction of our ministry. (2 Timothy 3:16; Matthew 5:18)
God: We believe in one God, the Father, Creator of all things, infinitely perfect and eternally existent in three persons: God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. Three persons eternally share the Divine Nature. God is both self-existent and personal. (Deuteronomy 6:4; Matthew 28:19; Mark 12:29; John 14:10, 26; 15:26)
Jesus Christ: Jesus Christ, the Son, is fully God and fully human. He was born of the Virgin Mary. He lived a sinless life, died for the sins of humanity, was resurrected bodily on the third day, ascended into heaven, and is coming again as King and Judge. Jesus Christ is the only provision that God has given for people to be reconciled to Him. Jesus’ life on earth also serves as the model for the Christian life. (John 14:6; Acts 4:12; I Corinthians 15:1-8; Isaiah 7:14; Romans 8:34; Acts 1:10)
Holy Spirit: The Holy Spirit is God. He came forth from the Father and Son to convict the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment, and to regenerate, sanctify, and empower all who believe in Jesus Christ. He indwells us the moment we place our faith in Christ and enables us to live a life that is pleasing to God. The Holy Spirit also endows each believer with a unique spiritual ability to serve the church and the world. (John 14:16, 15:26-27, 16:9-14; Romans 8:9; 1 Corinthians 3:16; 1 Corinthians 12; Galatians 5:22-26; Ephesians 1:13-14)
Salvation: Salvation is reconciliation with God through the atoning work of Jesus Christ. God offers us salvation by His grace alone and we receive it as a gift through personal faith in the finished work of Jesus Christ. This right standing before God must be received. It cannot be earned. God freely offers salvation to all people, and our salvation is secure when personally appropriated through repentance and faith in Christ. Those who have accepted Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior should be obedient to Him by repentance, confession, baptism, and lifetime faithfulness to Him. (John 3:16; Ephesians 2:8-9; Romans 8:38-39; Ephesians 1:13; 2:4-5; Acts 2:38; Romans 10:9-10; Romans 6:1-4; Revelation 2:10)
Human Condition: We believe that every person has worth as a creation of God, but that all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. According to Genesis, human beings are created in the image of God. As such, we are unique among all of God’s creation. Through Adam’s sin and the abuse of our God-given free will, we have turned against God, and this has resulted in spiritual death for all humankind. Humanity lives in a state of alienation and profound need, which can only be satisfied by reconciliation with God through Christ. Without this reconciliation, all people stand under God’s righteous judgment. Humanity, although fallen, maintains the image of God and is, therefore, still dignified, and unique. God continues to love us and reach out to us, even though we are hostile to Him. Believers in Jesus Christ receive a new nature that becomes the foundation for a process of transformation. (John 3:16; Romans 3:23; 2 Corinthians 5:17)
Any questions related to our Statement of Beliefs should be directed to the executive Director, Nathan Montgomery (nathan@saltandlightministry.org)