[Remote] Director, People Transformation at Wikimedia Foundation

Remote

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Not SpecifiedCompensation

Senior (5 to 8 years), Expert & Leadership (9+ years)Experience Level

Full TimeJob Type

UnknownVisa

Nonprofit, Technology, AdvocacyIndustries

Requirements

Strategic thinker capable of building and executing an integrated HR strategy
Strong business and consulting acumen from a large (hundreds of staff), complex (multi-program/initiative), global, and geographically dispersed organization
Significant HR functional track record across compensation/benefits, people operations, and HRIS
Knowledge to guide development of effective HR strategies, policies, and practices
Pragmatic perspective on business and organizational transformation
Active collaboration skills and ability to partner with and advise senior leaders
Forward thinker able to assume responsibility without direct supervision, exercise initiative and judgment, and make decisions within assigned authority
"Roll up your sleeves" approach to day-to-day work and ability to act as a strategic advisor to senior leadership
High attention to detail, excellent multitasking, and quick adaptability to changing environments
Availability for core hours of 16:00-00:00 UTC
Willingness to travel approximately 4–6 times per year for team gatherings, leadership meetings, or similar

Responsibilities

Work side-by-side with Chief People Officer, VP of People Experience, VP of People Growth & Belonging, and Director of Recruiting to develop and implement strategies impacting ways of working, mission, and culture
Drive culturally- and values-aligned HR investments for stellar employee experience and positioning Wikimedia as an employer of choice
Lead a team overseeing key projects
Lead People Department systems updates and innovations (e.g., compensation/total rewards, performance management, HRIS, vendor management, data analytics & reporting); drive seamless transitions to long-term sub-department homes
Represent People Department in cross-department projects and working groups (e.g., Location Strategy, Annual Planning Process)
Ensure efficient cross-departmental collaboration and execution by managing the People department budget
Manage and develop cross-department relationships to support socialization and implementation of policies, processes, and initiatives
Serve as member of People Leadership Group; advise Chief People Officer (with VP – People Experience and VP – Belonging & Growth) on People department direction supporting mission, vision, and values
Support internal communications throughout the Foundation and company-wide organizational development and change initiatives

Skills

Key technologies and capabilities for this role

HR StrategyCompensationTotal RewardsPerformance ManagementHRISVendor ManagementData AnalyticsHR ReportingBudget ManagementSystems ImplementationChange ManagementCross-functional CollaborationStrategic Planning

Questions & Answers

Common questions about this position

Is this role remote?

Yes, the role supports a remote work environment at the Wikimedia Foundation.

What systems will the Director of People Transformation oversee?

The role oversees systems updates and innovations including compensation and total rewards, performance management, HR information systems, vendor management, and data analytics & reporting.

What experience is required for this position?

Candidates need strong business and consulting acumen from a large, complex, global organization, plus significant HR functional track record across compensation/benefits, people operations, and HRIS.

What is the company culture like at Wikimedia Foundation?

The culture emphasizes people as the most important asset, with a focus on culturally- and values-aligned HR investments, stellar employee experience, and advancing the Foundation’s mission.

What makes a strong candidate for this role?

A strong candidate is a strategic thinker with HR strategy execution skills, ability to manage cross-department relationships, pragmatic perspective on transformation, agility, and experience advising senior leaders.

Wikimedia Foundation

Operates Wikipedia and free knowledge projects

About Wikimedia Foundation

The Wikimedia Foundation operates Wikipedia and other free knowledge projects, aiming to create a world where everyone can freely access and share knowledge. It provides a platform for users to read, contribute, and share content, while also supporting the volunteer communities that help maintain these projects. The foundation is funded by donations from individuals and institutions, emphasizing its nonprofit status. Unlike many other organizations, it focuses on making knowledge accessible to all without charge, advocating for policies that support free knowledge initiatives. Its goal is to empower individuals to contribute to and benefit from a collective pool of knowledge.

San Francisco, CaliforniaHeadquarters

2003Year Founded

$145.9MTotal Funding

GRANTCompany Stage

Social Impact, EducationIndustries

501-1,000Employees

Benefits

Remote Work Options

Risks

Reliance on Nvidia's AI tech may affect Wikimedia's data processing autonomy.

DSA audit could reveal vulnerabilities requiring significant resources to address.

Decentralized platforms like Mastodon may divert users from Wikipedia.

Differentiation

Wikimedia Foundation operates the world's largest free online encyclopedia, Wikipedia.

It supports a diverse range of projects like Wiktionary and Wikisource.

The Foundation is a non-profit, relying on global donations for funding.

Upsides

Nvidia's NeMo Retriever tech reduced Wikipedia processing time from 30 days to 3 days.

Holistic AI's audit under the DSA enhances Wikimedia's platform safety and accountability.

Collaboration with Open Foundation West Africa combats misinformation during Ghana's elections.

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