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Fractional People Operations Consultant

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS
Closes February 19, 2025; 11:59 p.m. ET 

The Alliance for Early Success is a national nonprofit dedicated to ensuring that every child, from birth through age eight, has an equal opportunity to learn, grow, and succeed. As a fully remote organization, we work with partners across the country to advance policies that build strong systems of support for young children and their families. Our team of 10 highly committed staff members live in ten different states.                                                                   

We are a small but dynamic virtual organization, and we strive to embed equity, innovation, and collaboration into all aspects of our work. Our goal is to create internal systems that reflect these values.

About the Opportunity

We are seeking a Fractional People Operations Consultant for a project-based engagement, with the potential for a longer-term partnership. The consultant will focus on benefits design and administration, compliance advisory, vendor oversight, and HR policy updates to strengthen our HR operations and prepare us for open enrollment in fall 2025.

By the end of this engagement, we aim to have a cohesive and competitive benefits program, seamless vendor systems in place, and updated policies that provide clarity and confidence for our team. Specifically, you will help us ensure: 

    1. A cohesive and competitive total rewards strategy, including revamped benefits offerings, by April 2025.
    2. Completed vendor transitions and system implementations by May 2025.
    3. An updated and compliant employee handbook with clear policies by June 2025.
    4. A well-prepared team equipped to engage with new benefits and systems effectively by June 2025.

We’re looking for someone who is excited about partnering with us to meet these immediate needs while building the foundation for a trusted, longer-term relationship. This could grow into a role that supports ongoing HR functions, such as managing benefits, supporting employee relations, and addressing evolving HR priorities. 

Scope of Work

At the heart of this work is creating people operations solutions that are clear, user-friendly, and thoughtfully designed to support our team and organizational goals. Towards this end, you will lead efforts in the following areas, working closely with the Deputy Director of Staff, Equity, and Culture:  

Benefits Program Strategy, Compliance, and Implementation 

    • Review current benefits and systems to identify strengths, gaps, and opportunities for improvement to create a strong, sustainable program. 
    • Assess policies and systems to ensure compliance with current and upcoming regulations, recommending updates to align with evolving legal requirements. 
    • Recommend changes or identify new vendors to optimize systems and better support organizational and employee needs. 
    • Design and recommend a benefits program that balances employee well-being with sustainability and scalability as the organization grows. 
    • Identify, select, and onboard vendors who can effectively implement and support the program. Negotiate contracts and ensure providers meet high organizational standards. 
    • Oversee vendor transitions or improvements by managing timelines, coordinating data migration, maintaining clear communication, and resolving issues as they arise. 
    • Ensure new systems are functional, align with organizational priorities, and are user-friendly for employees. Provide resources and training to help employees effectively engage with their benefits. 
    • Create accessible materials and clear communication to help employees understand and maximize their benefits. 
    • Gather feedback from employees to evaluate the program’s effectiveness and identify areas for refinement. 
    • Establish systems for long-term monitoring and evaluation to ensure the program evolves with organizational needs and continues to meet employee expectations. 
    • Stay informed about regulatory changes, keeping leadership updated and recommending adjustments to maintain compliance and fairness over time. 

Employee Handbook and Policy Updates 

    • Review the current employee handbook and HR policies to identify gaps, ensure alignment, and uncover any missing or outdated policies that need to be addressed, including changes related to updated benefits offerings. 
    • Assess how existing policies interact with each other to ensure they are equitable, functional, and cohesive. 
    • Recommend updates and additions that reflect current best practices, meet legal requirements, and support organizational goals. 
    • Create a clear roadmap for building out policies over time, prioritizing what’s critical now and outlining steps for future development. 
    • Establish clear processes and guidelines for scenarios where policies overlap or require clarification, ensuring consistency and transparency. 
    • Provide resources and guidance for leadership to implement and communicate updated policies effectively across the organization. 
    • Develop a system for regular policy review and maintenance. 
    • Integrate equity and inclusion principles into policy recommendations, ensuring policies support a diverse and dynamic workforce. 

Who We’re Looking For 

We’re seeking a people-first HR professional who can grow with us and bring both strategic and operational We’re looking for someone who loves working with small, mission-driven teams and thrives on building strong, people-centered HR systems. You’re not just an expert in HR—you’re someone who truly understands how to align HR strategies with organizational values and create solutions that support both the people and the mission.

You’ll partner closely with our leadership to meet immediate needs while helping us lay the foundation for long-term success.

What Makes You a Great Fit:

    • You have hands-on experience as an HR consultant or fractional professional, especially with nonprofits or small organizations.
    • You know how to design and implement benefits programs that are compliant, competitive, and practical for small teams.
    • You’re skilled at evaluating and managing vendors, ensuring systems run smoothly and meet our needs.
    • You’re proactive, detail-oriented, and comfortable navigating complex compliance requirements across multiple states.
    • You’re an excellent communicator who can align leaders, staff, and external partners around clear goals.
    • You bring a collaborative, adaptable approach and a genuine commitment to equity, fairness, and inclusion in all you do.

This Role Is Ideal for You If:

You’re energized by the opportunity to create meaningful impact in a small, dynamic team.

    • You balance strategic thinking with hands-on execution, and you’re not afraid to roll up your sleeves.
    • You excel at building relationships and creating tailored solutions that fit the unique needs of each organization you work with.
    • You’re a problem-solver who thrives on finding creative, sustainable ways to improve HR systems and support employees.

Budget Guidance

We estimate an equivalent hourly rate of $150–$200/hour for this engagement. In your proposal, please share the total project cost and explain how it reflects the time, resources, and outcomes needed to complete the work outlined in this RFP. This range is intended as guidance, not a strict requirement, allowing you the flexibility to propose pricing and approaches that reflect your experience and services.

How to Submit 

If this opportunity resonates with your experience and approach, we invite you to apply! Please submit the following materials using the form below: 

    • A cover letter introducing yourself and explaining how your experience aligns with this role and our mission.
    • A resume or portfolio highlighting your relevant experience.
    • A brief proposal outlining your approach to the work and whether you’re open to a longer-term engagement.
    • Your rates and any anticipated costs.
    • Contact information for two references who can speak to your work.

Once complete: 

    • Combine your answers into a single PDF document, no greater than 5MB in size.
    • Upload the document (and any necessary supporting documents) using the form field  below.
    • Answer the four Experience Questions.
    • Submission Deadline: February 19, 2025, 11:59 PM ET
    • Contact Person: Courtney Lee, clee@earlysuccess.org