Head of People & Culture

Head of People and Culture

Accion

Location: Washington, DC (Hybrid)
Type: Full Time
Salary: $225,000 to $250,000 base, plus annual bonus

Sector: International Development / Financial Inclusion
Website: www.accion.org
Reports To: Chief Operating Officer
Priority Deadline: October 12, 2026; applications accepted until filled

 

About the Organization

 

Accion is a global nonprofit on a mission to create a fair and inclusive economy for the 1.6 billion people failed by the global financial system. It develops and scales responsible digital financial solutions for small business owners, smallholder farmers, and women so they can make informed decisions and improve their lives.

Through targeted investment strategies, advisory solutions, and thought leadership, Accion works with local partners to make financial solutions cheaper, more accessible, and more customer-friendly. Since 1961, Accion has helped build 299 financial service providers serving low-income clients in 77 countries, reaching more than 500 million people.

 

Position Summary

 

Accion has grown in complexity and continues to integrate and operate multiple entities and subsidiaries across several geographies, including Accion Impact Management (AIM), an SEC Registered Investment Advisor managing impact investments in financial inclusion with third-party capital.

 

The Head of People and Culture leads the global People and Culture function, with responsibility for enterprise-wide talent, culture, organizational design, total rewards strategy, and people operations. The role balances global standards with local market, cultural, and regulatory requirements across a 180-person international workforce, and coaches and advises direct reports, peers, and senior and middle management on talent management and organizational development. The Head of People and Culture manages a team of nine.

 

Key Responsibilities

 

Global People Leadership

 

• Align the People and Culture approach with organizational priorities, growth strategy, and operating structure

• Implement equitable, inclusive, and locally responsive people practices within a consistent global framework

• Support a globally distributed workforce across nonprofit and regulated investment management activity, including employees, Employer of Record staff, and consultants

• Build a compelling global employee value proposition that respects local laws, cultures, and business needs

• Champion practices that attract and retain exceptional talent reflective of Accion's mission

• Lead, mentor, and develop a high-performing, outcomes-oriented People and Culture team

 

Global Culture and Engagement

 

• Strengthen the One Accion culture through initiatives that foster engagement, communication, and collaboration across programs, functions, subsidiaries, and regions

• Embed practices and programs that increase engagement and support health, resilience, and sustainable performance

• Foster a culture of accountability, equity and inclusion, learning, innovation, and continuous improvement

 

Talent Development, Performance, and Total Rewards

 

• Oversee global talent management and professional development strategy aligned with future workforce needs

• Oversee performance management philosophy and practices, fostering accountability and continuous feedback

• Lead the global Total Rewards strategy, ensuring compensation, benefits, incentives, and recognition are competitive, equitable, and sustainable

• Develop talent frameworks and career pathways that strengthen recruitment, engagement, succession planning, and retention

 

Systems and Process Innovation

 

• Modernize policies and processes for an efficient operating model across divisions and entities, including shared services for AIM

• Improve HR and talent systems, performance management tools, workflows, and service delivery

• Identify opportunities to leverage AI and automation across People operations and the enterprise

 

Risk and Employee Relations

 

• Ensure strong governance, policy oversight, and mitigation of employment risks globally as part of enterprise risk management

• Provide strategic oversight of international employment models, Employer of Record arrangements, immigration, and global mobility

• Support compliance with labor laws across jurisdictions, including regulatory considerations for AIM as an SEC-registered investment advisor

• Oversee employee relations and partner with the Chief Legal, Compliance and Risk Officer on HR investigations and whistleblower concerns

• Report to the Board's Audit and Governance Committee on the Whistleblower Program

• Ensure policies reflect Accion's values and support a healthy, respectful, and inclusive workplace

 

Preferred Experience

 

• 15 or more years of progressive HR experience, including leading people teams and strategy in a complex global organization

• Strong understanding of global employment practices and cross-cultural leadership, with experience supporting subsidiaries across multiple countries; HR responsibility in India, Colombia, and Singapore a plus

• People leadership experience in both 501(c)(3) nonprofits and financial services, investment, venture capital, lending, or other complex capital environments preferred

• Experience developing high-performing teams, talent pipelines, and succession strategies

• Expertise in organizational design, leadership development, talent strategy, total rewards, and change management

• Experience modernizing HR technology and processes, including AI-enabled solutions

• Demonstrated compliance management in a globally distributed organization

 

Values, Competencies, and Skills

 

• Collaborative, pragmatic partner across all departments and teams

• Able to coach and advise direct reports, peers, and senior leaders on people and culture practices

• Leads through influence rather than authority and is approachable to staff

• Clear communicator and active listener who builds trust across the organization

• Strong enterprise transformation and change management skills, moving easily between tactical and strategic work

• Excellent project management and delivery skills

• Action-oriented, accountable, innovative, and not risk averse while supporting employee wellbeing

• Continuous learner, open to feedback, inclusive, and solution oriented

• Strong conflict resolution skills

• Handles sensitive and confidential information appropriately

 

Education

 

Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Organizational Development, or a related field.

 

Travel

 

Domestic travel for board meetings, team meetings, retreats, and conferences, plus international travel to regional hubs and team meetings in Colombia, India, and Africa. Approximately 3 to 4 trips per year.

 

Benefits

 

Competitive compensation, annual bonus, excellent benefits, and a supportive working environment. Internal equity will be reviewed before a final offer.

 

How to Apply

 

Send a resume and brief cover note to Tory Clarke, Partner, Bridge Partners: Tory.Clarke@bridgepartnersllc.com

 

Priority will be given to applications received by October 12, 2026; applications will be reviewed until the position is filled.

 

Equal Opportunity

 

Accion is an equal opportunity employer committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace and provides reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities.