Demo

Director of People and Culture

JACOBS PILLOW DANCE FESTIVAL INC
Becket, MA Full Time
POSTED ON 3/7/2026
AVAILABLE BEFORE 5/6/2026
TITLE:           Director of People, and Culture
STATUS:        Full-Time, Year-Round
REPORTS TO: Deputy Director 
DEPARTMENT:  People & Culture
WORKS WITH: Executive Team, All department heads
SUPERVISES: Talent, Inclusion & Culture Director, Office Administrator & Alumni Coordinator, Health Care Coordinator, People Operations Manager
COMPENSATION: $85,000 - $95,000 (Grade 6)
BENEFITSHealth, Dental and Vision insurance, FSA, 403b matching contribution, paid time off, life insurance, short- and long-term disability, Employee Assistance Program.
SUMMER ONLY: Three meals a day, free access to classes, performances, talks, and studio usage
SCHEDULE:         September–May: Five (5) day work week 
June–August: Six (6) day work week (1 comp day for every 6-day work week during the Festival)
 
The Director of People and Culture reports  to the Deputy Director/COO and oversees a team of managers and administrators across HR Operations, wellness, and administration; manages select cross-functional initiatives affecting a total workforce of 150 including seasonal and intern staff; contributes to strategic planning and makes recommendations for policy encompassing compensation philosophy to ensure market competitiveness, labor forecasting and budgeting to ensure financial sustainability, benefits, recruitment, employee relations, IDEA, workplace accommodations and culture.
 
RESPONSIBILITIES
Leadership on People & Culture
  • Provide strategic leadership over P&C, including talent development, compensation and benefits, compliance, staff wellness, and IDEA practices.
  • Partner with the People & Culture team and senior leaders to evolve strategic growth goals into concrete staffing models and talent acquisition roadmaps. 
  • Lead the development and oversight of employee onboarding and orientation programs.
  • Ensure implementation of equitable hiring, evaluation, compensation, and retention practices.
  • Guide institutional approaches to wellness, morale, and employee engagement; collaborate with internal stakeholders to implement inclusive and celebratory workplace experiences.
  • Engage appropriate external partners for successful initiatives.
  • Ensure integrity of the Paycom HRIS environment, optimizing 'Direct Data Exchange' scores and overseeing workflows for payroll, benefits, and performance management.
  • Ensure compliance with all government requirements and advise on legal matters.
Talent Development & Staff Sustainability
  • Oversee the annual 360 Performance Review process, fostering a feedback culture grounded in self-awareness, peer review, and continuous growth. 
  • Develop curriculum for intern programs; ensure programming aligns with strategic and educational goals.
  • Supervise alumni engagement strategies.
  • Supervise and develop direct reports, creating pathways for leadership growth within the team.
Organizational Health & Operations
  • Monitor and advise on internal communications, knowledge management practices, staff alignment, safety training, and culture trends.
  • Act as an executive liaison and advisor during departmental transitions or surges.
  • Oversee general office administration and ensure coordination of cross-functional systems.
  • Serve as a leadership presence on campus, actively engaging with staff and stakeholders.
  • Oversee the Health & Wellness office during the Festival Season; supervising staff, coordinating standard of care and incident response.
Organizational Strategy 
  • Assist senior leadership with change management frameworks; support communication, staff engagement, and system optimization throughout.
  • Advise on effectiveness of communication and efficiency of cross-departmental activity.
  • Support special projects as appropriate and related tasks as assigned.
Qualifications:

 

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

  • 8 years of progressive leadership experience in HR and organizational development, ideally within a nonprofit or arts/culture setting.
  • Bachelor's Degree.
  • Proven ability to lead high-functioning teams and facilitate cross-departmental initiatives, and execute strategic plans.
  • Expertise in people management, change leadership, and inclusive culture building.
  • Strong interpersonal, facilitation, and communication skills.
  • Commitment to mission-driven work and values of equity, accountability, and innovation.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

  • Relevant Master’s degree and/or professional certifications.
  • Experience managing seasonal workforces, including understanding of FLSA exemptions for seasonal/recreational establishments.
  • Knowledge of dance and arts nonprofit sector is a plus. 
  • Knowledge and existing of local community is a plus. 

WORKING CONDITIONS & PHYSICAL DEMANDS

  • Working regularly in wooded areas with exposure to native wildlife including, but not limited to, rodents, ticks and mosquitos.
  • Working regularly outdoors in all weather conditions including inclement weather.
  • Ability to manage a flexible schedule, including 6-day work weeks during the Festival season, while modeling sustainable work-life balance practices for the team. 
  • Moving equipment up to 50lbs alone or with assistance.
  • Moving through and between multiple locations throughout the entire campus. 
  • Remaining in a stationary position for extended periods of time.

 

*Not sure you meet 100% of the qualifications? Research shows that men apply for jobs when they fulfill an average of 60% of the criteria, but women tend to apply only if they meet 100% of them. Yet, people who are systematically marginalized tend only to apply if they meet every requirement. We encourage you to apply if you believe you could excel in this role. Please use your cover letter to tell us about what you hope to bring to this role. We are dedicated to considering a broad array of candidates, including those with diverse workplace experiences and backgrounds. So, whether you're returning to work after a gap in employment, simply looking to transition, or taking the next step in your career path, we will be glad to have you on our radar.

 

APPLICATION PROCESS

Video and/or audio applications are welcome (though not required), in addition to written expressions of interest.

Interview Stages: Candidates can expect to engage in Interview with Hiring Manager on Zoom, Site Visit and Panel Interview.

Additional Documents: We may ask for work samples or a sample reporting document to better understand your expertise and fit for the role.

Accessibility Accommodations: Should you require any accommodations to facilitate your application, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us at hr@jacobspillow.org. We are committed to providing support throughout the application journey, whether that’s through email, a phone conversation, or a video call.

 

Salary : $85,000 - $95,000

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