Senior Vice President of Human Resources

Birch Family Services is a leading New York City provider of education, employment, and community support services for individuals with autism and developmental disabilities, with annual revenue just over $100 million. Each year, the organization supports more than 2,000 people across locations throughout New York City. From early childhood through adulthood, including school, employment, and residential supports. Birch delivers integrated services that help individuals achieve their goals across their lifespan.

Position Summary

The Senior Vice President (SVP) of Human Resources serves as the organization’s senior HR executive and strategic partner to executive leadership. This role is responsible for shaping and executing HR strategy, overseeing all HR operations, and leading employee relations, labor relations, talent acquisition, and workforce development initiatives.

Reporting directly to Executive Leadership, the SVP leads a team of approximately 12 HR professionals and supports a workforce of more than 1,000 employees. Regular onsite visits across Birch locations are required to maintain visibility, strengthen relationships, and ensure alignment across programs.

Key Responsibilities

Leadership & Strategy

• Lead and develop a multidisciplinary HR team across recruitment, employee relations, labor relations, and HR operations
• Serve as a strategic advisor to executive leadership on workforce planning, talent strategy, organizational development, and change management
• Develop and implement HR policies, programs, and initiatives aligned with organizational goals
• Facilitate communication related to benefits, compensation, and HR initiatives
• Provide guidance and training to senior leaders on employment laws and best practices
  
  

Recruitment & Talent Acquisition

• Oversee the full recruitment lifecycle to ensure equitable, timely, and effective hiring
• Implement talent acquisition strategies that support growth, diversity, and retention
• Partner with operational leaders on workforce planning and staffing forecasts
• Build external partnerships with educational institutions and workforce organizations to expand candidate pipelines
  
  

Employee & Labor Relations

• Direct all employee relations activities with a focus on fairness, consistency, and compliance
• Lead investigations, conflict resolution, performance management, and engagement initiatives
• Manage labor relations for unionized staff, including contract negotiations, grievance administration, and ongoing union partnerships
• Participate in forums that promote staff engagement and organizational culture
  
  

Compliance & Governance

• Ensure compliance with all federal, state, and local employment laws and regulations
• Oversee HR audits, documentation standards, and risk mitigation efforts
• Monitor and report on key HR performance metrics and KPIs
• Maintain strict confidentiality and uphold ethical and professional standards
  
  

Qualifications

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Organizational Development, or related field (Master’s degree preferred)
• 10-15 years of progressive HR leadership experience, including at least 5 years in a senior or executive role
• Proven success leading HR teams and managing recruitment, employee relations, and labor relations functions
• Strong labor relations background working with staff in diverse settings with some staff represented by collective bargaining
• Extensive knowledge of employment law, HR strategy, and compliance
• Excellent leadership, communication, relationship-building, and problem-solving skills
• Experience with HRIS systems and data-driven HR practices
  
  

Equal Employment Opportunity

Birch Family Services is an Equal Opportunity Employer and provides employment opportunities without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, or any other protected status. Birch strictly prohibits workplace harassment and discrimination.

Additional Statements

• In compliance with New York State law, Birch Family Services will not request or rely upon an applicant’s salary history. The organization
  
  

may ask about salary expectations for any advertised role.

• This position description serves as a general guide and does not list every responsibility, qualification, or condition of employment.
  
  

Duties may be revised at the discretion of management.

• Reasonable accommodations may be made for qualified individuals with disabilities, provided such accommodations do not impose
  
  

undue hardship on the organization.