Dole Packaged Foods is a purpose led nutrition and wellness organization that “champions a more equitable world.” A world where everyone has the right to nutrition from the goodness of the earth and we reduce these gaps, one action at a time.

As the Director of Associate Experience & Development, your role is to design and lead initiatives. These will create a positive, engaging work environment, boosting employee satisfaction, productivity, and retention. You will develop and implement strategies to enhance employee communication, recognition, and learning, ultimately strengthening employee morale and commitment to the organization. The Director of Associate Experience & Development will collaborate with various departments to align engagement efforts with business goals.

This role provides flexibility to work in a hybrid environment of home and our Westlake Village, CA office. Initially, the role will need to be in office 3-4 times per week.  (Hybrid is defined as 2 to 3 times per week in the office but may require more time in the office for this role).

• Develop and execute a strategy focused on Associate engagement and talent development. This strategy should align with the organization's mission, values, and business objectives.
• Implement initiatives to improve employee communication channels and ensure effective two-way communication throughout the organization.
• Design and oversee employee recognition and reward programs that acknowledge and celebrate employee achievements and contributions.
• Work actively with HR and other stakeholders to design and implement associate development programs, which include training, mentoring, and career advancement opportunities.
• Conduct regular surveys, assessments, and focus groups to measure employee engagement and satisfaction levels, identify areas for improvement, and track progress.
• Provide guidance and support to managers and leaders in promoting employee engagement within their respective teams.
• Through engagement activities, identify training and development needs, analyzing performance gaps and collaborating with key stakeholders.
• Design and develop training curriculum that aligns with organizational goals, job requirements and industry best practices.
• Evaluate effectiveness of training programs.
• Ensure compliance with legal requirements, company policies, and best practices related to employee engagement and satisfaction.
• Stay updated on industry trends, best practices, and new technologies to continuously improve Associate engagement and development initiatives.
• Work with the Company’s “Fun Squad” to ensure planned activities are strategically positioned to meet the engagement and culture initiatives
• Other duties, as assigned

Experience, Knowledge, & Skills You Bring: 

• 8-10 years of employee engagement experience with a proven track record of increasing responsibility and achieving extraordinary results both individually and by leading teams.
• Proven experience in leading employee engagement initiatives or related HR roles.
• Proven experience in developing learning strategies and implementation of same.
• Proven experience in leading without a dedicated team.
• Experience in other areas of human resources, having worked as a generalist at some point in career.
• Strong knowledge of employee engagement theories, practices, and tools.
• Strong knowledge of learning and development modalities and theories.
• Data-driven mindset with the ability to analyze and interpret employee engagement data to drive decision-making.
• Strong project management skills and the ability to manage multiple initiatives simultaneously.
• Strong understanding of adult learning principles and training techniques.
• Demonstrated leadership skills with the ability to inspire and motivate teams.
• Familiarity with HRIS systems and employee engagement survey platforms is a plus.
• Strong presentation skills, including the ability to develop and communicate compelling selling stories and strategic plans, both to management and associates. Ability to present and influence senior management concerning direction, milestones.
• Proficient with MS Office Suite.

What You’ll Need to Succeed:

• Passionate about a purpose driven career
• Exudes an entrepreneurial and creative spirit
• Thinks differently and has the desire to convince others to do so as well
• Employs a strategic approach to each and every task
• Thinks big, but acts practically
• Is hands-on but can delegate effectively
• Can multi-task and prioritize without losing focus
• Flexible enough to deal with anything but still stay the course
• Can effectively communicate (be heard by others) as well as listen
• Is a team player at heart, but independent and decisive
• Is results oriented and accountable by nature
• Is able to lead others but be led when appropriate
• Has the courage to step up when others won’t
• Is fair, honest, respectful and ethical first and foremost
• Is smart, but humble

Education & Certification:

• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Organizational Psychology, or a related field.
• MBA highly desired

Physical Requirements:

• Ability to sit and use the computer for extended periods of time; ability to answer phones and use a variety of office equipment; ability to lift 15 pounds and reach overhead.

Travel Requirements:

• Approximately 10-15% travel required

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, sex, color, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, or on the basis of disability.

FOR JOBS BASED IN CALIFORNIA:

Hiring Pay Scale: $170,000 to $190,000

Dole Packaged Foods is committed to paying our Associates fairly and equitably. The pay rate offered will consider a wide range of factors, including but not limited to experience, education, accomplishments, and location. Pay scales are subject to review on a regular basis and will be updated as appropriate.