Manager - Human Resources (Employee Experience & Development)

THE PORT OF LONG BEACH IS SEEKING A MANAGER OF HUMAN RESOURCES (EMPLOYEE EXPERIENCE & DEVELOPMENT)

(This is an at-will position)

Salary Range: $140,000 - $185,000

ABOUT US

The Port of Long Beach, one of the world's busiest seaports, is an international gateway for the reliable, efficient, and sustainable movement of goods and is a leader in environmental stewardship. Credited with moving approximately $200 billion in trade, the Port serves as a critical hub for international commerce and is a major transportation center. East Asian trade accounts for the bulk of Long Beach shipments. Port-related international trade has a wide-ranging economic impact, supporting millions of jobs that benefit the region and the entire country.

THE TEAM

Reporting to the Assistant Director of Human Resources, the Manager of Human Resources (Employee Experience and Development) will join an HR team of 27 dedicated colleagues. This role will oversee key employee engagement initiatives and lead the learning and development functions, working to foster a positive and supportive work culture. With three direct reports, the Manager of Human Resources (Employee Experience and Development) will collaborate extensively with leadership and staff across the Port of Long Beach, ensuring that employees are engaged, motivated, and equipped with the skills they need to succeed. This team plays a critical role in driving employee satisfaction, retention, and organizational development. 

THE ROLE

As the Manager of Human Resources (Employee Experience and Development), you will play a key role in driving initiatives that enhance employee engagement and learning and development across the Port of Long Beach. Your primary focus will be on developing and managing programs that foster a positive work culture, improve retention, and increase overall employee satisfaction. You will gather and analyze employee feedback through surveys, focus groups, and interviews, integrating insights into actionable strategies for leadership to enhance engagement. In addition, you will lead the execution of employee recognition programs and Port-wide events, as well as design and facilitate learning and development programs that empower employees at all levels. A key component of the role will be applying a DEI lens to guide decisions on procedures and programs. You will ensure that all engagement initiatives and training programs are culturally aligned with the interests and communities the Port serves, fostering inclusivity. By championing continuous improvement, professional growth, and a commitment to DEI, you will help ensure that employees are fully engaged and equipped to thrive in their roles.

How you get to contribute...

• Developing and implementing strategies to enhance employee satisfaction, retention, and overall workplace culture.
• Conducting regular surveys, focus groups, and feedback sessions to assess employee engagement levels.
• Analyzing engagement data and creating action plans to address areas of improvement.
• Fostering a positive and inclusive workplace culture aligned with the Port's values and goals.
• Developing and leading initiatives that promote employee well-being, recognition, and a sense of community. 
• Coordinating and managing employee events, activities, and recognition programs.
• Serving as an advocate for employees, ensuring their voices are heard and their needs are addressed.
• Developing effective internal communication strategies to keep employees informed and engaged.
• Designing and implementing engagement-related training programs.
• Providing coaching and support to managers on how to effectively engage and motivate their teams.
• Developing onboarding programs that enhance new hire integration and engagement. 
• Establishing metrics to measure the effectiveness of engagement initiatives and programs.
• Preparing and presenting regular reports on employee engagement trends and progress to senior leadership. 
• Ensure that all strategies and programs are examined through a DEI lens, making sure that decisions are equitable and foster inclusion. 
• Monitor industry trends and best practices to continuously improve engagement strategies. 
• Partner with management and cross-functional teams to integrate engagement initiatives into business processes.
• Identify root cause detractors and partner with managers across the Port to develop and implement employee engagement and retention plans based on findings.
• Collaborating with cross-functional teams to ensure DEI is integrated into employee engagement.
• Develop programs that are culturally relevant and reflect the diverse communities the Port serves, ensuring these programs resonate with employees from all backgrounds. 

 These are just a few examples. You will be able to do so much more.

WHAT SUCCESS WILL LOOK LIKE

The successful candidate will be dynamic and resourceful leader with strong verbal and written communication skills, capable of engaging effectively with HR colleagues, senior management, and staff across the Port of Long Beach. They will be highly skilled in building relationships and creating an inclusive environment where employees feel valued and empowered. They will excel in developing and implementing initiatives that enhance employee satisfaction, engagement and retention while fostering a positive workplace culture. With a focus on collaboration, they will work closely with leaders and teams across the organization to ensure that employee feedback is integrated into actionable strategies. The successful candidate will also possess a strong commitment to data-driven decision making, ensuring continuous improvement in engagement and learning programs. Through their leadership, they will promote a sense of community and recognition across the Port, contributing to a reputation as an employer of choice both internally and externally. What we're looking for…

Requirements for the position include: 

• A Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Organizational Development, Business Administration, Industrial/Organizational Psychology, or a related field is required.
• A minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in employee engagement, learning and development, or related HR functions in a public or private sector environment is required. 
• At least three years of experience in a supervisory or managerial role, overseeing employee engagement, DEI, learning and development programs, or HR Functions, is required.
• Experience in developing and implementing employee engagement strategies and applying organizational development theory and practices is essential. 

Desirable:

• A Master's degree in a related field is a plus.
• Professional certification such as IMPA-CP/SCP, SPHR/PHR, and/or completion of an Organizational Development Certification Program (ODCP) is a plus. 
• Certifications in employee and leadership development (MBTI, Hardiness Resilience Gauge, DiSC, mediation, conflict management, etc.) is a plus.
• Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion education experience is essential. 
• Experience with a learning management system is a plus.
• Experience in a union environment is highly desirable. 

The final filing date for this recruitment is Sunday, October 13, 2024 @ 11:59 PM PST.  

The Port reserves the right to extend the closing date without notice to accept additional applications. Individuals determined to be qualified and best aligned to the position will be invited to participate in the selection process.

CANDIDATE CONNECT (INFORMATION SESSION)

To learn more about this exciting career opportunity and the Port of Long Beach, please join our virtual information session on Wednesday, October 9, 2024, @ 5:00 pm PDT via MS Teams. This is a unique opportunity to hear first-hand about the position, speak directly with hiring leaders, ask questions, and learn why the Port of Long Beach is your employer of choice! Candidates are not required to be on camera. Must join via MSTeams app to see PowerPoint presentation. To join audio only, call +1 323-451-1087, Phone Conference ID: 365 054 508# Click here to join the meeting. 

HOW TO APPLY

To be considered for this opportunity, you must submit a cover letter and resume (as PDF attachments) to hrexecrecruitment@polb.com. Incomplete submissions (without a cover letter and resume) will not be considered.  

If you require accommodation because of a disability in order to participate in any phase of the application/selection process, please contact (562) 283-7500 or email Careers@polb.com.

SAVE THE DATES 

Round one interviews will be held virtually on Tuesday, October 22, 2024, with finalists moving forward to in-person interviews on Monday, October 28, 2024. Candidates should ensure availability on both dates. The successful candidate will be appointed shortly thereafter. References will be completed for finalist candidates; and an employment offer is contingent on a comprehensive background check.

LOCATION

This position is an on-site role based in Long Beach, CA 90802. The selected party is expected to be on-site Monday thru Friday.

The Port of Long Beach will consider qualified applicants with a criminal history pursuant to the California Fair Chance Act. You are not required to disclose your criminal history or participate in a background check until you receive a conditional job offer. If the Port of Long Beach has concerns about a conviction that is directly related to the job after making a conditional job offer and conducting a background check, you will have the opportunity to explain the circumstances surrounding the conviction, provide evidence to mitigate concerns or challenge the accuracy of the background report. Find out more about the Fair Chance Act by visiting https://calcivilrights.ca.gov/fair-chance-act or https://www.longbeach.gov/hr/about-us/talent-acquisition/the-fair-chance-act/.

THE BENEFITS

The Port of Long Beach has established an annual salary range of $140,000 - $185,000 (placement depends on qualifications). An attractive package of executive-level benefits is included with the opportunity to work in one of the most diverse and dynamic areas of the United States. The Port's generous benefits package includes:

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• Auto Allowance - $550.00 per month
• Executive Leave- 40 hours per year.
• Retirement- CalPERS 2% @ 62, coordinated with social security. Current member contribution is 8.00% for CalPERS, and 6.2% for social security, paid by the employee.
• Pay for Performance- Pay for Performance is awarded based on employee performance as demonstrated through achievement of individual goals, demonstration of required competencies, and available budget funds. 
• Deferred Compensation- The City matches a percentage of base salary for qualified members contributing to the 457(b) plan. 
• Group Health Insurance- Medical and dental options (HMO and PPO). Free vision coverage.
• Life Insurance- City-paid life insurance policy of $20,000 plus executive insurance benefit equal to three times annual salary up to a maximum of $500,000.
• Disability Insurance- City-paid short- and long-term disability insurance.
• Vacation- Vacation is accrued at the equivalent of two weeks on an annual basis. Vacation can be used after six months of service. An employee's vacation accrual may be adjusted upon hire to provide credit for previous full-time employment at a public service agency. Credit for public service shall only be given for completed years of service as a full-time permanent employee. Public Service credit shall not apply to any other benefits.
• Sick Leave- Accrued at 8 hours per month. Accruals may be converted upon retirement to cash credit toward health and /or dental insurance premiums or retirement service credits. 
• Paid Parental Leave- After six (6) months of City employment, the City pays up to 30 consecutive days (160 hours) for eligible employees to take paid time to bond with the child upon birth, adoption, or foster placement of a child, up to the age of 17. 
• Holidays- 11 scheduled holidays per calendar year and four (4) personal holidays.
• Education Reimbursement- Tuition reimbursement allows employees to obtain additional education or training. 
• Annual Physical- Eligible to receive an annual physical examination at the city's expense through the city-provided program. 
• Public Student Loan Forgiveness- As the Harbor Department of the City of Long Beach, a governmental agency, the Port of Long Beach is a qualifying employer for the Public Student Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program.
• 529 college savings plan- The ScholarShare529 plan is an account that allows employees to invest specifically for future education expenses through the Long Beach City Employees Federal Credit Union. Funds can be used from your 529 savings plan to send your grandkids, kids, or even yourself to any accredited public or private U.S. college or university - or two-year technical or vocational institution.