Director, Global HR Compliance & Operations

About Vital Strategies and Role Overview

Vital Strategies is a global public health organization dedicated to strengthening health systems and addressing leading causes of disease worldwide. Operating in over 80 countries, our work encompasses areas such as noncommunicable disease prevention, tobacco control, road safety, food policy, environmental health, and health data. We prioritize inclusivity in our workforce, welcoming applicants from diverse backgrounds and adhering to equal employment opportunity principles.

As the organization grows globally, the Director of Global HR Compliance & Operations is a key leadership position responsible for elevating HR operational excellence and compliance across all offices and employer of record (EOR) setups in multiple countries. This role demands a culturally agile leader passionate about continuous improvement and supporting a diverse international workforce.

Key Responsibilities

• Oversee global HR operations to ensure standardized policies, processes, technologies, and tools are effectively utilized across all locations while balancing global standards with local legal and cultural realities.
• Build and maintain collaborative relationships with office leadership, HR teams, and country directors to promote transparency and timely information sharing.
• Lead HR due diligence efforts, maintain employee handbooks for international offices, and support office openings, closures, and EOR arrangements.
• Manage compliance with regulatory requirements, audits, and documentation standards, partnering with risk management teams.
• Direct global employee benefits renewals, compensation benchmarking, pay review procedures, and manager training on compensation matters.
• Coordinate workforce budget planning with Talent Acquisition, Grants & Contracts, and Finance teams.
• Ensure HR teams globally are trained on core operations and organizational procedures, and that HR policies are accessible via the company intranet.
• Implement and analyze HR metrics and workforce data to guide strategic decisions and enhance operational efficiency.
• Act as a key HRIS administrator, ensuring data accuracy, governance, and leveraging technology to optimize HR functions and compliance.
• Collaborate with Legal and VP HR to maintain compliance with labor laws, donor requirements, and data retention policies.
• Conduct file audits, provide training on documentation, and proactively manage employment-related risks.
• Develop and maintain HR infrastructure including policies, SOPs, manuals, and management guidelines that support business units and projects.
• Provide responsive HR Help Desk support for employees globally including those hired through EORs.
• Handle complex employee relations issues with fairness and confidentiality, working with legal counsel and HR business partners.
• Serve as a trusted advisor to managers and employees on performance and employment matters.
• Deliver timely training on HR operations, policies, and systems, fostering a service-oriented HR culture that values responsiveness and trust.

Qualifications and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Organizational Development, or a related field required.
• Professional HR certification (such as SHRM-SCP, SPHR, CIPD, or equivalent) preferred.
• Minimum of 15 years progressive global HR experience encompassing HR operations, compliance, and employee services within complex, international, preferably mission-driven organizations.
• Proven ability to harmonize global standards with local labor laws and cultural contexts across varied countries.
• Experience managing global compensation, benefits, HR audits, employee relations, and HRIS systems (UKG experience highly desirable).
• Strong leadership, cultural sensitivity, communication, analytical, project management, and problem-solving skills.
• Fluency in English required.

Additional Information

This role may be based in Kenya (Nairobi), the UK, Switzerland, or potentially other operational locations in Europe and Africa. Competitive salary offerings will reflect local market benchmarks, with the Kenyan range specified between KES 14,000,000 and KES 18,500,000 annually. Vital Strategies promotes equal employment opportunities and values diversity in its workforce.