Chief People Officer

The Organization Panthera, founded in 2006, is devoted exclusively to the conservation of wild cats and their ecosystems. Utilizing the expertise of the world’s premier cat biologists, Panthera develops and implements global conservation strategies for the most imperiled large cats – tigers, lions, jaguars, snow leopards, cheetahs, pumas and leopards – and small cat species. Representing the most comprehensive effort of its kind, Panthera works in partnership with local and international NGOs, scientific institutions, local communities and governments around the globe to achieve its mission. For more on Panthera, visit www.panthera.org. Position Summary The position leads organizational will shape and execute a human resources strategy that supports a dynamic and globally distributed team, reflects our organizational values, and builds the internal systems, culture, and leadership needed for impact at scale. The position reports to the Chief Financial & Operating Officer, with direct supervision of US-based staff and oversight over the human resources function globally. This position will have direct access to the Chief Executive Officer and interact regularly with members of the executive management team including General Counsel, Regional Hub Directors, Program Leadership. The successful candidate will be required to have, and maintain, legal work authorization to work in the country of employment. Principal responsibilities and duties • Provide strategic advice to the Executive Team, Regional Hub Directors, and Panthera’s Board of Directors. • Serve as a trusted partner on human resources issues, promoting high standards and shared values across Panthera’s diverse international network. • Develop HR strategic plans for scaling capacity, improving processes and structures, and using new technology to support organizational goals. • Develop and maintain country-specific HR policies, employment practices, and training across multiple legal jurisdictions. • Promote staff engagement, well-being, capacity, and productivity and develop, track, and analyze metrics to assess progress. • Oversee HR staff, budgets, programs, and projects. • Oversee recruitment, compensation, benefits, performance management, employee relations, workforce planning, professional and organizational development. • Advise members of the global HR team in Africa, the Americas, Asia, Europe, on HR best practices, employee relations issues, conflict resolution, and risk management. • Work with the global HR team to ensure compliance with all applicable labor and employment laws and liaise with Panthera’s general counsel to mitigate risks. • Serve as the primary advisor on HR audits and donor-related HR compliance issues. • Support crisis response and ethics and grievance mechanism submissions as appropriate, with professionalism and cultural fluency. • Guide workforce planning and change management during periods of organizational growth, restructuring, or transition. Qualifications and experience Required • At least fifteen (15) years of work experience with at least five (5) years in a senior leadership position managing HR in an international, multi-location organization; • Seven (7) or more years of supervisory experience. • Experience in securing, retaining, and building the talent needed for a growing, global organization. • Experience in the full spectrum of HR activities, including staffing, compensation, benefits, performance management, employee relations, compliance, professional and organizational development. • Strong understanding of labor laws and conditions of employment in a global context. • Expertise with HR information management systems and in improving data management. • High emotional intelligence who will instinctively think of our staff. • Highly effective oral, written, and interpersonal communication skills in English with the ability to relate to a diverse workforce and solve problems. Preferred • Master’s degree in Human Resources, Business Management, or related field. • Proficiency in French, Spanish, and/or Portuguese. • Experience in a global, non-profit organization with similar size and scope of activities. • Experience creating and implementing professional development and succession programs and managing an organization through periods of change. Working Conditions • This is a full-time, remote-based position based in the United States of America. Compensation The salary range for this position is USD $170,000 – 200,000 per year plus comprehensive benefits. How to Apply Interested applicants should submit their most recent CV including three professional referees and their contact details to the Panthera Careers Page. The application deadline is December 12, 2025. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. Apply tot his job