The Neighborhood Defender Service of Harlem (NDS) is a community-based, client-centered, holistic public defense office located in Harlem, providing criminal, civil, and family representation to residents of Northern Manhattan who cannot afford to hire a lawyer. NDS clients are represented by multidisciplinary teams including attorneys, advocates, team administrators, and social workers. NDS is accepting applications for a People and Culture Lead, that will support all of NDS’s core practices.  

Overview:
As part of NDS Harlem’s national infrastructure, People and Culture Lead, Harlem plays a key role in shaping employee experience and strengthening organizational culture. This role bridges local, national, and external HR efforts by working closely with the Chief Administrative Officer, People and Culture colleagues in other offices, and the external HR firm that manages payroll, compliance, and process functions.

In Harlem, the People and Culture Lead support staff by combining essential HR functions with initiatives that reflect NDS’s values while supporting equity, dignity, and inclusion. This people-facing role balances recruitment, onboarding, professional development, and performance management with efforts that foster engagement, wellbeing, and connection. By weaving NDS’s values into daily operations and staff experiences, the Generalist helps create a workplace culture in Harlem that is positive, equitable, and accountable while also contributing to shared efforts across the organization.

Key Responsibilities:

Strategic Talent Management

• Partner with hiring managers, the HR outsourcing partner, and Harlem leadership to oversee recruitment, onboarding, and orientation processes that reflect NDS’s values and priorities.
• Support learning and development initiatives by coordinating training opportunities, leadership development programs, and skills-building workshops for Harlem staff.
• Manage annual performance management cycles, including goal setting, reviews, feedback processes, and coaching support for managers.
  

Fostering a Positive Workplace Culture

• Engage in and support conversations with a listening-first mindset rooted in curiosity, helping to deescalate issues, foster mutual understanding, and work toward fair and constructive resolutions.
• Develop and coordinate staff engagement activities that strengthen connection, motivation, and retention.
• Partner with HR colleagues and national team to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts, and to ensure Harlem initiatives align with organization-wide goals.
• Support staff wellbeing by connecting employees with resources and ensuring policies are responsive to staff needs.

Operational & Strategic HR Support

• Serve as Harlem’s primary HR contact, providing staff with clear, consistent, and compassionate guidance on HR policies, procedures, and workplace matters.
• Collaborate with the national HR team and external HR firm to ensure payroll, compliance, and HR processes are handled accurately and consistently.
• Participate in accommodation reviews, grievance and conflict resolution processes, supporting fairness, accountability, and alignment with NDS’s values.
• Partner with the Chief Administrative Officer to align HR strategy with staff development goals and broader organizational priorities.
• Identify opportunities to integrate NDS’s core values into daily operations and staff experiences, strengthening culture and accountability across the Harlem office.

Skills & Qualifications

• At least 5–7 years of experience in human resources, people operations, or organizational development, preferably in a mission-driven or multi-site environment.
• Demonstrated ability to balance functional HR responsibilities with people- and culture-facing initiatives.
• Strong conflict resolution and interpersonal skills, with the ability to approach difficult conversations with empathy, curiosity, and fairness while guiding staff toward positive outcomes.
• Experience collaborating with external HR vendors or co-sourced providers to meet compliance and process needs.
• Strong knowledge of HR compliance and employment law, with experience in recruitment, performance management, and policy implementation.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to build trust and provide grounded guidance to staff at all levels.
• Experience coordinating training, professional development, or staff engagement initiatives.
• Comfort working in a matrixed organization and supporting a hybrid workforce.
• Commitment to advancing equity, inclusion, and staff wellbeing in every aspect of HR work. 

Work Environment

This is a hybrid role based in Harlem. The People and Culture Lead is expected to work in the office 2–3 days per week, or as needed, to support in-person onboarding, staff engagement activities, grievance processes, and other face-to-face responsibilities essential to building a strong workplace culture.

Compensation

Compensation is commensurate with experience. Full medical and dental benefits, as well as retirement plan with company match, robust time off perks, paid parental leave and other benefits, are provided. The salary range for this position is $75,000 - $100,000

How To Apply

Interested applicants are required to submit a cover letter and resume through NDS’s website at www.neighborhooddefender.org/careers. Applications without a cover letter will not be considered. Applications will be accepted until November 15, 2025 and candidates will be interviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled. For more information about NDS, please visit our website at www.neighborhooddefender.org. Candidates are encouraged to apply as soon as possible.

Don’t meet every single requirement? Studies have shown that women and people of color are less likely to apply to jobs unless they meet every single qualification. At NDS we are dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive, and authentic workplace, so if you’re excited about this role but your experience doesn’t align perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we encourage you to apply anyways. You may be just the right candidate for this or other roles.

The Neighborhood Defender Service is committed to creating a diverse environment that reflects the community we serve. NDS is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status. NDS encourages people with incarcerated loved ones, formerly incarcerated people, people of color, women, queer, transgender, gender non-conforming, and gender fluid people to apply.