Vice President, People - Washington - MFA

Description

Position Title: Vice President, People & Culture

Location: Washington, DC (Hybrid)

Reports to: Chief Administrative Officer

Direct Reports: Manager, People & Culture

Company Background:

Managed Funds Association (MFA), based in Washington, D.C., New York City, Brussels, and London, represents the global alternative asset management industry. MFA's mission is to advance the ability of alternative asset managers to raise capital, invest it, and generate returns for their beneficiaries. MFA advocates on behalf of its membership and convenes stakeholders to address global regulatory, operational, and business issues. MFA has more than 180 fund manager members, including traditional hedge funds, private credit funds, and hybrid funds, that employ a diverse set of investment strategies. Member firms help pension plans, university endowments, charitable foundations, and other institutional investors diversify their investments, manage risk, and generate attractive returns throughout the economic cycle.

Position Summary:

The Vice President, People & Culture is MFA's senior HR leader responsible for building a high‑performance, people‑first organization grounded in strong culture and values. This role sets the People & Culture strategy, leads day‑to‑day HR operations, and partners with MFA leadership to attract, develop, and retain top talent in a member‑focused environment. The VP models MFA's values through example, accountability, and decision-making, embedding culture into talent processes, performance management, leadership behaviors, and employee interactions at every level. The VP will steward MFA's culture, advance staff engagement, and ensure compliant, modern HR practices that scale with organizational growth. The role reports to CAO; partners closely with President & CEO and Leadership Team.

Essential Responsibilities:

People Strategy & Leadership

• Develop and execute a multi‑year People & Culture strategy aligned to MFA's mission, values, and strategic plan; translate strategy into annual goals and measurable outcomes.
• Advise the CAO and Leadership Team on organizational design, workforce planning, succession planning, and change management to support MFA's evolving priorities and growth.
• Lead, manage and mentor the Manager, People & Culture.
• Strengthen organizational culture, enable data‑driven leadership decisions, and proactively address workforce needs by establishing a reliable mechanism to measure and act on the employee experience.
• Lead the resolution of employee-relations issues, including investigations, performance concerns, and conflict management. Partner closely with leaders and legal counsel to proactively find resolution in a timely manner.
• Lead strategy, planning, and execution of MFA staff events (e.g., staff retreat, holiday party).
• Serve as advisor on the Team Engagement Committee and actively participate on the Core Values subcommittee.

Talent Acquisition & Onboarding

• Own full‑cycle recruiting for all functions and locations; implement rigorous, equitable hiring processes and candidate experience standards.
• Oversee the onboarding of new hires, focusing on MFA values, culture and skillset required for successful integration.
• Oversee a high-impact intern and alumni program that builds a sustainable diverse talent pipeline; strengthens the organization's employer brand and creates long-term organizational ambassadors and future hires.

Learning & Development

• Provide executive coaching to MFA's Leadership team and coordinate the development needs of senior staff.
• Support Manager, People & Culture in developing a comprehensive L&D portfolio (internal professional development, online learning platform, lunch and learns), measure impact on performance and retention.
• Champion a culture of transparency, respect, and accountability by equipping staff with tools and training to manage performance, addressing concerns early, while upholding the MFA values.
• Curate external partners and trainers; negotiate and manage engagements to deliver ROI.
• Partner with the CAO and IT to develop and lead workforce adoption of AI and digital tools, including training strategy and measurement of success.

Total Rewards & Performance Management

• Lead compensation, benefits, and recognition programs; ensure competitiveness via regular market benchmarking (e.g., trade association surveys) and internal equity reviews.
• Oversee performance management (goals, feedback, reviews); evolve bonus/merit cycles and promotion processes in coordination with Finance/CAO.
• Provide strategy, planning, and communication support on annual benefits renewal.
• Partner with PEO/EOR to optimize the employee experience and education (e.g., annual open enrollment communications, trainings, etc.).

HR Operations, Compliance & Risk

• Ensure compliant, scalable HR operations (policies, handbooks, employee relations, investigations, leaves, accommodations, records).
• Maintain accurate, confidential records and data systems; own HRIS roadmap, automation, and reporting.
• Manage vendor relationships (payroll/PEO, benefits, background checks, training partners) and associated budgets; coordinate with Finance/Operations.

Qualifications:

Required

• Minimum of 10 years of progressive HR/People leadership experience with responsibility across talent, rewards, employee relations, and HR operations; 3+ years leading an HR team.
• Demonstrated success building culture, leading change and manager capability in a fast‑paced, global environment.
• Expertise with compensation benchmarking and benefits design in the nonprofit/association sector (familiarity with salary surveys).
• Strong command of U.S. employment law and compliant policy administration.
• Exceptional judgment, confidentiality, discretion, and interpersonal skills; proven ability to influence senior leaders.
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively in a team-oriented culture that values the importance of being a good teammate, communicator, and partner.
• Excellent written/verbal communication and time management skills.
• Demonstrated ability to self-start, think ahead, problem solve, and engage proactively with high professionalism, reliability, and accountability.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
• Occasional travel to MFA offices, most frequently to NYC.

Preferred

• Experience in policy, financial services, or association environments in a global environment (DC/NY/Brussels/London).
• HR certification (SHRM‑SCP, SPHR) or relevant graduate degree.
• Hands‑on HRIS and analytics fluency.
• Executive coaching certification with a successful track record.
• AI acumen

Benefits of working at MFA:

• Competitive compensation and benefits package
• Retirement savings plan with employer matching
• Hybrid work schedule (Mon and Fri remote; Tues-Thurs in-office)
• Generous paid parental leave and transition time back to work
• Professional development and career opportunities
• People-centric culture
• Generous paid time off and holidays
• Healthy food and snacks
• Employee assistance programs
• Staff retreats and social events
• Community involvement
• Team Engagement Committee