Director of Human Resources

Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum
Boston, MA

Full-time

Description

Department: Human Resources

Reports to: Norma Jean Calderwood Director

Classification: Salaried Exempt full-time with benefits

Salary range: $125000-$145000 depending on experience

This is an onsite Boston-based position. Local candidates strongly preferred. No agencies please.

Please submit a cover letter with your application.

Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum Core Values

Isabella Stewart Gardner so deeply believed that art had the power to change lives that she built a beautiful personal and immersive Museum for the education and enjoyment of the public forever. Today the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum (ISGM) is a living embodiment of her bold vision; its a dynamic place where ideas and creativity in all its forms inspire visitors. We strive to tell new stories and challenge assumptions through exhibitions music programs and performances and by engaging the perspectives and collaboration of our communities.

The Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum seeks to connect past with present develop and sustain mutually beneficial partnerships with local communities and artists broaden our audiences and generate opportunities for creativity. We are firmly committed to a welcoming work culture and visitor experience. Our five-year strategic plan outlines the Museums core values goals and initiatives that serve as a renewal of Isabellas promise to serve the public and be a resource for the city.

Summary

The Director of Human Resources oversees all aspects of Human Resources management serves as a trusted advisor to executive leadership a strategic HR leader and an advocate for employee engagement at the Museum. The Director of Human Resources is a member of the Senior Leadership Team and helps set strategy for institutional culture internal communications and the advancement of the Museums goals. The Director of HR will be an experienced proactive leader who understands the current labor environment and the specific characteristics of non-profit organizational culture while providing deep expertise with a proven track record of best practice.

Essential Functions and Primary Responsibilities

  • Lead the design development and implementation of short and long-range Human Resources plans strategies and policies tailored to meet Museum needs and strategic plan goals; set annual HR goals and assess success by establishing evaluation strategies to measure and report on achievement.
  • Act as an advisor leader and resource on all related organizational development and Human Resources matters; provide consultation and assistance to department heads supervisors and executive management on organizational and job performance issues.
  • Integrate Diversity Equity Accessibility and Inclusion values into every aspect of HR. Provide organizational guidance to values-based efforts across the Museum and provide leadership for hiring welcoming and onboarding new employees with the range of experience and knowledge needed to help the Museum thrive and retain talent.
  • Supervise the Human Resources team including the Human Resources Operations Manager Recruiting Specialist and the Finance/HR Coordinator.
  • Drive best practices in compensation and benefits efforts; ensure compliance with all applicable city state and federal laws and policies.
  • Support the Compensation Committee of the Board of Trustees providing information and comparative data as needed for compensation decisions.
  • Manage annual employee performance appraisal process collaborating with supervisors to build performance management skills instill high motivation and engagement levels and achieve equitable management practices. Develop training for supervisors to optimize their teams and responsibly manage leaves of absence accommodations and personnel challenges.
  • Oversee HR vendor relationships for execution by the HR team.
  • Drive talent acquisition and recruiting functions; partner with vendors to ensure that state and federal employment laws policies and procedures create innovative recruitment and retention strategies to ensure long-term employee engagement.
  • Develop Human Resources management policy and programs that contribute to the acquisition retention motivation and development of Museum employees.
  • Manage the HR department budget provide for effective management of resources and continually look to develop and implement cost-saving measures which contribute to the Museums financial success.
  • Work collaboratively with Finance by providing accurate time and expense information on a weekly basis so that Finance may accurately execute payroll.
  • Proactively seek knowledge expertise in the HR field as well as general museum trends and practices.
  • Act as primary liaison with outside legal counsel on HR matters.
  • Performs other duties as assigned.

Requirements

Required

  • Bachelors degree and 12 years HR experience.
  • Proven HR management experience is required.
  • Direct proven experience and success in all functional areas of Human Resources.
  • Knowledge of all federal state and local policies relevant to human resources functions.
  • Expertise in Google Workspace and HRIS. Highly proficient in Microsoft Excel.
  • Strong attention to detail.
  • Flexibility and multitasking ability to undertake several tasks simultaneously and manage them effectively. Proven ability both to think strategically and to execute on specific projects and initiatives.
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills confident and effective in explaining concepts and situations to employees at all levels including Board members.
  • Ability to maintain high degree of confidentiality professionalism poise tact and diplomacy to accomplish work objectives.
  • Builds strong and successful relationships effectively supporting and influencing colleagues managers and members of senior leadership.
  • Problem solving the ability to identify root cause realize and implement solutions.
  • Demonstrates vision passion commitment and integrity transparency taking responsibility and building trust.
  • A strong team player with a positive attitude and ability to absorb and learn quickly; willing to go the extra mile.
  • Commitment to advancing the ISGMs strategic initiatives.
  • Legal authorization to work in the United States.
  • Satisfactory background check.

Desirable

  • Museum and/or non-profit experience.
  • Experience with Paylocity.
  • SPHR or SHRM-SCP certification.

Equal Opportunity Employer

The Museum is committed to affording equal opportunity to qualified individuals regardless of race color religion age (40 or older) disability national origin sex gender identity sexual orientation genetic information pregnancy childbirth or related conditions ancestry or status as a veteran. Consistent with our core values and our founders legacy the Museum is dedicated to building a work community that fosters collaboration excellence belonging and a diversity of perspectives and experience.

Request an Accommodation

Applicants with disabilities who are unable to access ISGMs online application system fully may contact us at for assistance with a reasonable accommodation.

Salary Description

$125000-$145000 depending on experience

Required Experience:

Director

Posted 2025-11-21

Recommended Jobs

Overnight Distribution Pharmacy Technician MGH

Mass General Brigham
Boston, MA

Site: The General Hospital Corporation Mass General Brigham relies on a wide range of professionals including doctors nurses business people tech experts researchers and systems analysts to advanc…

View Details
Posted 2025-11-20

Electrical Engineer

SGS Consulting
Massachusetts

Job Responsibilities: Quantitatively test circuits for power and signal integrity and analyze simple RLC networks. Test and debug complex digital circuit boards. Test and debug complex digit…

View Details
Posted 2025-11-14

Facilities Maintenance Technician.

JLL
Devens, MA

JLL empowers you to shape a brighter way . Our people at JLL and JLL Technologies are shaping the future of real estate for a better world by combining world class services advisory and technol…

View Details
Posted 2025-11-21

Strategy and - corporate real estate - director

EY
Boston, MA

Location: Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Denver, Detroit,Houston, Los Angeles, McLean, New York, Philadelphia, San Francisco, Seattle At EY, we’re all in to shape your future with confidence. …

View Details
Posted 2025-11-18

Registered Nurse (RN) - Part Time (24 hours) - 7am - 3:30pm

Haverhill Pavilion Behavioral Health
Haverhill, MA

When you join the Haverhill Pavilion team, you're not just taking a job, you’re making a positive impact in patients' lives. The Role As a Registered Nurse, you are an integral part of the trea…

View Details
Posted 2025-10-24

Banquet Server

The Inn on Boltwood
Amherst, MA

We’re more than just a team - we’re a community dedicated to making a difference every day. At Olympia Hospitality, we create a fun, supportive environment where growth never stops, and success is c…

View Details
Posted 2025-08-28

Manager, 340B Program, Licensing, & Credentialing

East Boston Neighborhood Health Center
Boston, MA

The 340B Program, Licensing and Credentialing Manager is charged with oversight of NeighborHealth’s 340B pharmacy program. This entails a focus on contract pharmacy management through 340B ESP, 340B …

View Details
Posted 2025-11-21

Registered Nurse, RN Agawam Adult Medicine

Trinity Health
Agawam, MA

**Employment Type:** Full time **Shift:** Day Shift **Description:** Trinity Health Of New England Medical Group is looking for an experienced Registered Nurse to join our team of mission-driven healt…

View Details
Posted 2025-11-13

Clinic Director (BCBA, OT, PT, SLP)

MetroEHS Pediatric Therapy
Plymouth, MA

MetroEHS is seeking a dynamic Clinic Director BCBA OT PT or SLP to lead and oversee the clinical operations and programs at our neighborhood clinic in Plymouth. As a Clinic Director you will play a p…

View Details
Posted 2025-11-20

Adjunct Faculty: Occupational Therapy Assistant Program

North Shore Community College
Danvers, MA

Category: Adjunct Subscribe: New Job Alerts RSS Job Feed Department: Health Professions Locations: Danvers, MA Posted: Nov 13, 20…

View Details
Posted 2025-11-15