Chief People Officer

Make a Difference for Climate and Equity — Join Slipstream as Chief People Officer. 

Are you a strategic leader with a passion for driving transformative change? Do you thrive in environments where innovation meets impact? At Slipstream, you can help shape a cleaner, more equitable energy future.

About Slipstream

Slipstream is a national, mission-driven nonprofit that accelerates climate solutions. For everyone.

We inspire bold ideas to tackle big energy challenges. Our work spans energy efficiency, energy planning with municipalities and Native Nations, equitable building decarbonization, emerging technologies, and green financing. We collaborate with governments, utilities, and community-based organizations to discover, test, and scale solutions that work for real people in real communities.

We are optimistic, inclusive, and ambitious about our impact—and we’re looking for someone who shares our drive.

About the Role

As a key member of the executive leadership team, the Chief People Officer (CPO) will shape and execute Slipstream’s people strategy in alignment with our mission. The CPO will foster a thriving, inclusive, and high-performing workplace and lead initiatives that enhance culture, strengthen organizational capability and compliance, and support long-term business success.

While we operate both in-office and remotely, Slipstream hires only in select states. For this role, candidates located near our Madison, Wisconsin is preferred.  We are also open to candidates in Chicago, IL office.

What You'll Do

1. Human Resources (HR) Leadership

• Lead the strategic direction for all HR functions, including talent acquisition, performance management, compensation and benefits, compliance, payroll, and employee relations.
• Apply HR best practices and equitable frameworks to strengthen organizational culture and drive mission success.
• Develop and manage HR budgets and workforce planning strategies aligned with mission priorities, financial stewardship, and long-term sustainability.
• Establish and monitor key HR metrics to assess organizational health and inform continuous improvement.
• Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local employment laws, and maintain policies that promote fairness, equity, inclusion, and organizational well-being.
• Build performance management processes that reinforce accountability, a culture of continuous improvement, and high performance.
• Design and implement employee development programs that support career growth and build organizational capacity.
• Champion employee engagement initiatives that foster belonging, connection, and a positive staff experience.
• Lead succession planning and leadership development to ensure talent readiness and continuity.

2. Organizational Development & Culture

• Serve as a strategic advisor to senior leaders on organizational structure, change management, and workforce planning.
• Drive internal communication strategies that promote transparency, clarity, and trust across the organization.
• Translate organizational strategy into scalable systems, processes, and policies that enhance operational effectiveness.
• Collaborate with executive leadership to guide organizational development and change initiatives.

3. Executive Team Collaboration

• Actively participate in executive leadership meetings, strategic planning sessions, and quarterly Board meetings.
• Support long-term operational planning and establish clear metrics to track progress toward strategic goals.
• Partner with the Chief of Staff to ensure Communities of Practice and Task Forces are aligned with strategic objectives and operating effectively.
• These responsibilities are not all-inclusive, and other duties may be assigned from time to time.

What You'll Need

• Bachelor’s degree required; MBA or MA/MS in Human Resources or a related field preferred.
• SHRM-SCP or SHRM-CP certification preferred.
• 15+ years of progressive HR experience, including senior leadership roles; nonprofit experience strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated success in developing and implementing HR policies, systems, and programs across compliance, compensation, performance management, and organizational design.
• Deep knowledge of employment, labor, and payroll laws and regulations.
• Proven ability to build and lead cross-functional teams and manage complex operational systems.
• Skilled at serving as a strategic liaison between executive leadership, department heads, and staff.
• Strategic thinker with a track record of translating organizational goals into people-centered initiatives.
• Proficient in HR technologies; experience with Paycom is a plus.

What Makes a Great Candidate

• Deep alignment with Slipstream’s mission, values, and commitment to driving equitable climate and energy outcomes.
• A relationship-centered, inclusive leadership style that builds trust and cultivates a sense of belonging.
• Demonstrates integrity, confidentiality, and sound ethical judgment in all interactions and decisions.
• Able to collaboratively and independently make strategic decisions that strengthen organizational health and culture.
• Comfortable hearing diverse viewpoints, fostering constructive dialogue, and guiding groups toward shared agreements.
• Proactively seeks opportunities to improve systems and practices and is energized by building solutions.
• Advocates for equity and demonstrates humility, curiosity, and respect for all identities and lived experiences.
• Communicates clearly and adapts messaging for different audiences to build shared understanding and support.

Work Environment

• Flexible hybrid work in Madison, WI or Chicago, IL. If in-office, expect a moderate noise level.
• Ability to work from home or another suitable location with reliable internet access.
• Flexible schedules, meetings generally occurring 9–4 in Central Time zone.
• Requires a quiet and professional workspace for virtual meetings and collaboration.
• Depending on location, travel up to 10% for in-person meetings in the Madison and Chicago office.

Physical Requirements

• Primarily a sedentary role, with tasks typically performed while sitting or occasionally standing
• Ability to operate a computer and standard office equipment.
• Tasks demand visual focus for reading and working on screens.
• This position frequently communicates via phone and video conferencing, with in-person interactions as applicable.

Slipstream is an equal-opportunity employer committed to creating an inclusive workplace where all individuals feel valued, respected, and supported. We center community in everything we do and strongly encourage people of all backgrounds to apply and join us in our mission.  We welcome applicants regardless of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, veteran status, or any other protected status or characteristic under federal, state, or local laws.

Slipstream will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities to enable them to perform the essential functions of their position unless doing so would impose an undue hardship on Slipstream, or if it would pose a direct threat to the health or safety of the individual or others that cannot be mitigated. Questions or accommodation requests should be directed to Human Resources.

Please note that Slipstream will only contact candidates via the Paycom portal. We will never ask a candidate for payment of any kind as part of the hiring or onboarding process or send payment to any candidate prior to completing the hiring and onboarding process.

Applicants have rights under Federal Employment Laws.

Family & Medical Leave Act                                        Equal Employment Opportunity                                   Employee Polygraph Protection Act