Vice President, People & Culture

McKissack & McKissack offers opportunities to grow your career while working on transformative projects in program and construction management, architecture, and interior design. We combine technical expertise and creative vision to deliver exceptional results. Our culture values diversity, professional development, and performance. We seek team players who are humble, hungry, and smart, with strong academic or professional experience, integrity, and a client-focused mindset. Join a team that invests in your success and rewards ambition, integrity, and collaboration.

We are seeking a strategic and forward-thinking Vice President, of People & Culture to lead our employee experience and growth initiatives. This leader will shape how our people connect to our mission, live our core values, and advance their careers within the firm. The ideal candidate brings strong HR expertise in the AEC industry, but more importantly, a passion for developing talent, driving retention, and fostering a culture of accountability, humility, and empathy. This role is central to helping our employees see a clear path forward and ensuring our firm is the employer of choice in our markets.

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Qualifications

· Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or related field (Master’s preferred).

· Minimum of 15 years of HR experience with at least 8 years in a leadership role, ideally within the AEC industry.

· Proven experience designing and implementing people-focused strategies that drive retention, engagement, and career growth.

· Strong understanding of HR operations, talent development, and organizational design.

· Excellent leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills with the ability to connect with employees at all levels.

· Demonstrated ability to align HR initiatives with business goals and culture.

· Deep knowledge of labor laws, compliance, and HR best practices.

· Proficiency in HR metrics, analytics, and workforce planning.

· Track record of building career ladders, progression frameworks, and development programs.

· Experience with Deltek Vantagepoint.

· Experience working with a PEO firm (e.g., Insperity).

· Professional HR certifications (SHRM-SCP, SHRM-CP, PHR, SPHR).

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Key Responsibilities

· Strategic Leadership: Design and execute a people strategy that supports business goals, strengthens retention, and builds a high-performance culture.

· Employee Experience: Build systems and practices that keep employees connected, engaged, and aligned with our core values: Passionate, Accountability, Can-Do Attitude, Team Player (humble, hungry, smart), and Empathic.

· Career Development: Establish career ladders and growth paths, ensuring employees see opportunities to advance and thrive in the organization.

· Performance Management: Lead a performance management process that drives accountability, fairness, and professional growth.

· Talent Acquisition: Partner with leaders to attract top talent and deliver a positive recruitment and onboarding experience.

· Culture & Engagement: Create initiatives that strengthen culture, foster belonging, and enhance employee engagement across all offices.

· Learning & Development: Develop and implement training programs that support technical skills, leadership growth, and career progression.

· Retention Strategy: Monitor workforce trends, turnover data, and feedback to drive retention strategies tailored to employee needs.

· Compliance & HR Operations: Ensure compliance with employment laws and best practices while overseeing benefits, employee relations, and HR operations.

· Collaboration: Partner with senior leadership to manage organizational change, growth planning, and employee communications.

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Reporting To: President

Location: Washington D.C. or Chicago, IL

Salary range: $170,000 to $200,000 (dependent on years of experience, competency, location)

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Employee Benefits:

• Medical Insurance

• Dental Insurance

• Vision Insurance

• Flexible Spending Account (FSA)

• Health Savings Account (HSA)

• Dependent Care

• Commuter Benefits

• Tuition Assistance

• Adoption Assistance

• Matching 401k Plan

• Company-paid holidays

• Paid-Time-Off (PTO)

• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

• Life Insurance

• Short and Long-Term Disability Insurance

• Marketplace Perks-at-Work

McKissack & McKissack is committed to ensuring equal employment opportunity and access be provided in the employment and advancement of all persons. It is our policy to provide equal opportunity for all persons, without regard to race; color; sex; gender identity; sexual orientation; religion, religious practices and observances; national origin, pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions; age; genetic information; status as a protected veteran or spouse/family member of a protected veteran; or disability, in all phases of the employment process and in compliance with applicable laws and regulations.

Our aim is for the company to be representative of all sections of society and that each employee feels respected and able to give their best. We are committed to a policy of treating all our employees and job applications equally.

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