Global Director of Human Resources

The Global Director of Human Resources will serve as a senior, enterprise-wide people leader reporting to the CEO. The Global Director of Human Resources is responsible for shaping and executing World Bicycle Relief's global people strategy during a period of organisational transformation and scale. Balancing strategic partnership with hands-on execution, this role ensures World Bicycle Relief (WBR) has the right structures, talent, culture, and systems to deliver its mission across a globally distributed workforce. The incoming HRD will build, improve, and embed the people processes and capabilities that enable WBR to grow with excellence, integrity, and deep alignment to the communities it serves.

World Bicycle Relief (WBR) mobilizes communities in rural regions around the world to thrive with life-changing bicycles. WBR partner with communities to expand access to education, markets, healthcare, and other essential services. With their purpose-designed Buffalo Bicycles, individuals in low-income regions are a force for change, unlocking pathways to new opportunities for themselves, their families and entire communities.

WBR are a mission-driven, global non-profit social enterprise that manages a highly refined bicycle supply chain from design through to final distribution. WBR uses an innovative business model to create sustainable bicycle ecosystems. Through WBR’s 501(c)3, the organisation provides transport solutions to those who cannot afford them, and through Buffalo Bicycle Ltd, they sell the rugged Buffalo Bicycle and spare parts. Buffalo Bicycle Ltd also offers users repair and maintenance services via a retail network of shops and local mechanics. WBR has distributed over 900,000 fit-for-purpose bicycles and trained 4,000+ community-based mechanics. Girls with Buffalo Bicycles are 19% less likely to drop out of school; business owners see 53% more revenue; and health workers serve 63% more households.

About the role

Millar Cameron, in partnership with World Bicycle Relief, is seeking a Global Director of Human Resources to lead the organisation's people strategy at a pivotal moment of transformation and scale. This is a rare opportunity to shape the people, culture, and leadership of a globally respected organisation, ensuring that as WBR scales its impact, it does so in a way that is values-driven, inclusive, and sustainable for the people it serves and the people who make the work possible. This hands-on, execution-focused leadership role reports directly to the CEO, with the successful candidate responsible for building, improving, and embedding the systems, processes, and capabilities that WBR needs to operate as a high-performing international organisation.

Key dimensions of the role

The Global Director of Human Resources, based in Kenya, will have responsibilities including:

Global People Strategy & Organisational Effectiveness

• Develop and lead WBR's global people strategy aligned with organisational goals, growth plans, and values
• Partner with the CEO and Executive Team on organisational design and people-related decision-making frameworks
• Translate strategy into clear job architecture, role clarity, and capability development across global, regional, and country teams
• Lead organisational change initiatives ensuring clarity, engagement, and cultural alignment

Talent, Leadership & Performance

• Set and govern global talent acquisition standards and workforce planning processes
• Oversee executive and critical role hiring and succession planning
• Strengthen leadership development, coaching, and performance management to reinforce accountability and collaboration
• Build leadership capability across WBR's country and affiliate teams through structured development programmes

Culture, Change & Employee Experience

• Steward WBR's values and culture, embedding them in hiring, onboarding, performance management, and leadership behaviours
• Lead change management for major organisational initiatives across diverse geographies
• Champion employee engagement, inclusion, wellbeing, and belonging across a global workforce

HR Operations, Systems & Compliance

• Design and ensure consistent, compliant, and equitable HR policies across all countries and affiliates
• Oversee compensation, benefits, job evaluation, and salary structures in partnership with Finance
• Lead HR systems and data (HRIS, dashboards, reporting) to support decision-making and risk management

Team & Matrix Leadership

• Provide matrixed leadership to the Global HR Team, with direct line management of the Global HR Manager (US-based) and dotted-line oversight of country HR leads in Kenya/Uganda/Tanzania, Zambia, Malawi, and Colombia
• Build capability of local HR teams through coaching, communities of practice, and shared global standards

Skills and experience

The desired candidate will have, but not be limited to:

Required

• 12+ years of progressive HR leadership experience, including senior-level responsibility in complex, multi-country organisations
• Demonstrated experience leading organisational change, job architecture, and performance management in a global context
• Strong grounding in employment law, compliance, and HR best practices across multiple jurisdictions
• Proven ability to influence senior leaders and operate as a trusted strategic advisor
• Proven ability to operate in matrixed, distributed organisations, managing across dotted-line relationships and geographically dispersed teams

Preferred

• Background rooted in multinational corporate or social enterprise environments, bringing business rigour to a mission-led context
• Experience in international development, global NGOs, or mission-driven organisations
• Experience leading HR functions within African labour and cultural contexts
• Experience supporting boards, executive leadership teams, and organisational transformation initiatives

Application Deadline

Please submit your application by 31 March 2026. Applications received after this date may not be considered.

Don’t meet every single requirement? Research shows that individuals from underrepresented groups are less likely to apply for roles unless they meet every listed qualification. At Millar Cameron, we are committed to supporting our clients in building diverse and inclusive teams. If you’re enthusiastic about this role but don’t meet every requirement, we still encourage you to apply - you could be exactly what our client is looking for, either for this position or another.

Please note that due to the high volume of applications we receive, we are only able to respond to candidates who are shortlisted for the next stage of the process. We sincerely appreciate your interest and the time taken to apply.

Since 2007 Millar Cameron has specialised in sourcing leadership and keyperson talent across a number of industries, including agribusiness, international development, industrial, consumer, financial and professional services, private equity, and technology, media and telecommunications. Our mission and purpose is to positively contribute to the development of Africa, and other emerging markets, through the provision of people.