Director of Human Resources

Background

Founded in 1985 by Japanese American artist Isamu Noguchi (1904–1988), The Isamu Noguchi Foundation and Garden Museum (The Noguchi Museum), was the first museum in the United States to be established, designed, and installed by a living artist to show their own work. Located in the vibrant neighborhood of Long Island City, Queens, the Museum itself is widely viewed as one of the artist’s greatest achievements. Holding the world’s largest collection of his works, the Museum features open air and indoor galleries in a repurposed 1920s industrial building and a serene outdoor sculpture garden.

Since its founding, the Museum has served as an international hub for Noguchi research and appreciation. In addition to managing the artist’s archives and catalogue raisonné, the Museum exhibits a comprehensive selection of Noguchi’s material culture, from sculpture, models, and drawings to his personal collectibles. Provocative installations drawn from the permanent collection, together with diverse special exhibitions and collaborations with contemporary practitioners across disciplines, offer a multifaceted view of Noguchi’s art and illuminate his enduring influence as an innovator. Through its rich collection, exhibitions, and programming, the Museum facilitates scholarship and learning for audiences of all ages and backgrounds.

The Position

The Isamu Noguchi Foundation and Garden Museum seeks an experienced Human Resources professional to join its senior leadership team. The Human Resources Director will be responsible for overseeing The Noguchi Museum’s Human Resources function, including employee relations, benefits administration, compliance, training/development, compensation, and performance management. They will serve as a liaison with the union for all employee-related matters. The ideal candidate will bring knowledge and experience leading Human Resources for a museum or public-facing non-profit.

The Director of Human Resources must be passionate about advancing the Museum’s mission, overseeing policies and procedures, and ensuring compliance and cohesion while cultivating a collaborative, positive, and supportive work environment. The ideal candidate will be a highly intelligent self-starter with a proven record of accomplishment. They will be required to provide consistent and clear communication, to lead by example, and to resolve HR matters with diplomacy in support of organizational objectives.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Recruiting and Retention

• Develop and implement strategies to attract and retain high-quality candidates
• Work with Museum leadership to ensure effective talent acquisition and retention
• Create/revise position descriptions, conduct screenings, interviews, assessments, and reference checks
• Design and maintain professional development opportunities to enhance career skills and to improve employee engagement
• Develop and implement HR strategies and initiatives aligned with the overall mission and strategic plan of the Museum
• Provide benefits and compensation oversight, including regular, direct, and clear communication with current and prospective team members about compensation and benefits
• Collaborate with third party administrators and payroll/finance teams as needed

Employee Relations and Policy

• Provide leadership and guidance on HR-related matters including organizational policies
• Ensure the Museum’s compliance with federal, state, and local employment laws and regulations
• Develop and maintain record-keeping for employee data, especially compliance-driven requirements
• Manage progressive discipline, ensuring consistent practice process, investigation, and documentation
• Consult with outside counsel to ensure legal compliance, as needed

Employee Learning and Engagement

• Determine training needs, conduct management training sessions, source outside training as needed
• Maintain and update employee manual and internal operating policies
• Oversee performance appraisal process

Labor Relations

• Participate in and support the collective bargaining process, ensuring all relevant partners are prepared and engaged
• Maintain requirements calendar and provide required notifications in compliance with external deadlines
• Oversee administration and compliance with collective bargaining agreement
• Endeavor to resolve complaints before they rise to formal grievances

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in relevant field; advanced degree in Human Resources Management, Organizational Psychology, or related field preferred
• SHRM-CP, SHRM-SCP or PHR designation
• 8+ years of experience leading a Human Resources function, preferably in the nonprofit industry
• Proficiency in payroll systems
• Effective verbal and written communication skills, interpersonal and organizational skills; must be able to build consensus both internally and externally
• Ability to work collaboratively with internal and external stakeholders
• Ability to manage and inspire a team through clearly defined goals and priorities, flexibility, and a cohesive vision
• Experience working in museums is a plus

Other Information:

This is an in-office role located at The Noguchi Museum in Long Island City, Queens. The hours are 5 days a week, 9 am–5 pm, Monday– Friday. The position requires occasional work outside regular hours. Work is performed in an office environment; prolonged periods of sitting, use of computers and standard office equipment are required to accomplish work objectives. The health and safety of our community is our first priority. As such, The Noguchi Museum strongly encourages all staff members to be fully vaccinated with an FDA authorized and/or approved COVID-19 vaccine.

The Noguchi Museum is an equal opportunity employer, and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, age, marital status, citizenship status, veteran status, disability or any other criterion specified by federal, state or local laws, in the administration of its employment policy. The Museum considers the diversity of its workforce to be vital to our organization’s success in meeting its mission. We strongly encourage applicants from all cultures, races, educational backgrounds, life experiences, socio-economic classes, sexual orientations, age, gender, and physical abilities to apply.