Vice President of People & Culture
SkyWater Executive Leadership is proud to partner once again with Portico Benefit Services on a search for their Vice President of People & Culture. Over the past few years, SkyWater has partnered with the Board of Directors and has helped Portico build out key members of their senior leadership team, including most of the C-suite (CEO, COO, CIO, etc.). The result has been a period of strong cultural alignment, refreshed leadership, and meaningful organizational momentum.
The newly created role of Vice President of People & Culture provides strategic and operational leadership for all aspects of Portico’s people and culture function. Reporting to the Chief Operating Officer and serving as a key member of the Executive Leadership Team, this role ensures that Portico is positioned to attract, develop, and retain exceptional talent while cultivating a mission-driven, high-performance culture that reflects the organization’s faith-based values and commitment to service.
Leading a team of 10, this leader will modernize HR operations, strengthen core programs, and champion an integrated people strategy aligned with Portico’s Five Diamond Strategy and Service Model 2.0. Areas of responsibility include talent acquisition and retention, leadership and workforce development, total rewards, employee engagement and culture, HR systems and analytics, and organizational effectiveness.
Responsibilities
- Strategic Leadership
- Serve as a trusted advisor and member of the Executive Leadership Team, contributing to enterprise strategy and decision-making.
- Lead the development and execution of a comprehensive people strategy that supports Portico’s mission, operational goals, and long-term sustainability.
- Provide insight and recommendations to shape workforce planning, organizational design, and leadership capability across the enterprise.
- Promote accountability, agility, and alignment through consistent HR governance and performance metrics. Talent Acquisition and Retention
- Oversee enterprise-wide recruitment and selection processes, ensuring alignment with Portico’s mission and commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
- Build a compelling employment brand and candidate experience that attracts purpose-driven professionals in a competitive market.
- Partner with business leaders to forecast talent needs, strengthen pipelines, and enhance succession planning for key roles. Total Rewards and Compensation Governance
- Lead the strategy, design, and administration of Portico’s compensation, benefits, and recognition programs.
- Ensure that total rewards programs are market-competitive, equitable, compliant, and aligned with Portico’s financial stewardship and mission-based values.
- Partner with Finance and Operations to establish transparent governance for pay structure, incentive plans, and benefits programs. Learning, Leadership, and Organizational Development
- Design and deliver strategies that build leadership capability, strengthen team effectiveness, and enhance overall organizational performance.
- Oversee the creation of learning programs, succession frameworks, and development pathways for employees at all levels.
- Promote a culture of feedback, growth, and accountability through modern performance management practices. Culture, Engagement, and Inclusion
- Advance a mission-aligned culture where employees feel valued, connected, and inspired by Portico’s purpose.
- Develop and implement engagement strategies, leveraging data and feedback to improve employee experience and retention.
- Lead efforts in inclusion, diversity, and belonging consistent with Portico’s values and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America’s guiding principles. HR Operations and Systems
- Ensure efficient, compliant, and scalable HR operations through process standardization, policy modernization, and effective use of ADP and related systems.
- Maintain data integrity, accurate reporting, and actionable insights through HR analytics and dashboards.
- Continuously identify opportunities to automate, streamline, and enhance the employee lifecycle experience. Compliance and Risk Management
- Ensure compliance with all applicable federal, state, and local employment laws and regulations.
- Maintain up-to-date HR policies and procedures that support consistency, transparency, and equity.
- Serve as the organizational lead for employee relations, investigations, and policy interpretation, ensuring fairness and alignment with Portico’s mission.
Desired Skills and Experience
- Education and Experience
- Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Organizational Development, or related field required.
- Master’s degree preferred.
- Minimum of 10 years of progressive HR experience, including at least 3 years in an executive or senior HR leadership role.
- Experience in a mission-based or nonprofit organization strongly preferred.
- Demonstrated success leading HR modernization, system implementations, or organizational transformation initiatives. Certifications
- SHRM-SCP, SPHR, or equivalent professional certification preferred. Knowledge, Skills, and Attributes
- Deep understanding of contemporary HR practices, employment law, and organizational design.
- Strong business acumen and ability to connect people strategy to operational and financial outcomes.
- Exceptional leadership, influence, and relationship management skills.
- Skilled communicator who can engage effectively across all levels of the organization.
- Proven experience building culture, engagement, and inclusion programs that strengthen organizational identity.
- Demonstrated ability to lead teams through change with empathy, integrity, and resilience.
- Proficiency with ADP or comparable HRIS platforms and Microsoft Office Suite. This role operates in a hybrid environment with flexibility for in-office and remote work. Occasional travel to support leadership meetings, staff events, or external partnerships may be required.
Submit Your Resume
ABOUT SKYWATER SEARCH
Start with your Short List
Led by a group of seasoned search industry professionals, SkyWater Search Partners brings new focus to a novel concept, “Short List Search.” Our purpose is to leave a lasting impression on the clients we serve by providing individuals who will make a measurable difference in their business. We strive to consistently deliver great results to our clients in a very timely manner.
Practice Areas
Our practice areas are led by highly experienced executive recruiters who take great care in fully understanding client requirements and candidate qualifications.
• Accounting and Finance
• Information Technology
• Operations
• Engineering
• Sales
• Marketing
• Human Resources
• Legal
• Construction
• Supply Chain
• Consumer Package Goods (CPG)
Founded on long-standing relationships and hundreds of successful placements throughout the Twin Cities business community, SkyWater Search Partners is a proven resource for clients and candidates looking to quickly and confidently explore their “short list” of best choices. Count on us to find the best people – and the best fit.
