Senior HR Generalist

Benefits:

403(b)

Health insurance

Opportunity for advancement

Paid time off

Training & development

SENIOR HR GENERALIST

Santa Ana, CA | Full-Time, Exempt | $80,000 - $90,000/year | Onsite

OneOC is proud to partner with Cristo Rey Orange County High School to recruit this exceptional opportunity apply now!

About Cristo Rey Orange County High School Cristo Rey Orange County High School is a Catholic, college-preparatory school committed to transforming lives through education, faith, and opportunity. As part of the national Cristo Rey Network, we serve students of limited economic means through a rigorous academic curriculum paired with our innovative Corporate Work Study Program.

In this unique model, our students gain real-world professional experience while helping to fund their education - building confidence, skills, and exposure to diverse career paths

The Opportunity This is more than a generalist role.

Cristo Rey Orange County High School is seeking a Senior HR Generalist to serve as a trusted advisor and strategic partner to the President and leadership team.

This is a high-impact, “HR team of one” role ideal for a seasoned HR professional who thrives in building structure, ensuring compliance, and supporting a mission-driven community.

You will lead all core HR functions, including payroll processing, compliance, employee relations, and talent acquisition, while helping shape the employee experience across the organization.

What You’ll Lead & Own

Grounded in the Mission Effectiveness Standards, you will actively support and model the Christ-centered mission of Cristo Rey Orange County High School integrating faith, professionalism, and service in all interactions with students, families, colleagues, and leadership.

Strategic HR Leadership

• Partner directly with the President and leadership team on HR strategy and organizational effectiveness • Build and strengthen HR infrastructure, systems, and processes • Serve as a coach and advisor to managers on employee matters

Payroll, Compliance & HR Operations

• Own full-cycle payroll processing using Gusto, ensuring accuracy, timeliness, and compliance • Ensure compliance with California employment laws, wage and hour regulations, OSHA, and applicable agencies • Oversee HRIS, personnel records, and audit-ready documentation • Manage timekeeping, leave tracking, and reporting • Administer benefits (medical, dental, vision, 403(b)) and support employee inquiries • Lead employee handbook updates and policy development • Oversee workplace safety and workers’ compensation claims • Track and ensure completion of required trainings

Talent Acquisition & Onboarding • Lead full-cycle recruitment: job design, sourcing, screening, and interview coordination • Partner with hiring managers to attract mission-aligned and values-driven talent • Manage onboarding, including background checks and fingerprinting • Leverage networks, including the Cristo Rey community, to strengthen candidate pipelines

Employee Relations & Performance • Lead employee relations efforts, including investigations and conflict resolution • Advise managers on performance management, coaching, and corrective action • Support and enhance performance review processes • Foster a positive, equitable, and mission-aligned workplace culture

What You Bring

• Familiarity with or openness to the teachings and mission of the Catholic Church, along with commitment to build a vibrant organizational culture, aligned with Cristo Rey’s mission and Catholic identity • Bachelor’s degree in human resources, Business, or related field (or equivalent experience) • 7–10+ years of progressive HR experience, ideally in a nonprofit or educational setting • Demonstrated experience managing payroll processing (Gusto preferred) • Strong knowledge of California employment law and HR compliance • Proven ability to operate independently in an HR team of one environment • Experience advising leadership and handling complex employee relations matters • Highly organized with strong attention to detail and sound judgment • Excellent communication and interpersonal skills • Proficiency in Microsoft Office (especially Excel) and HR systems • HR certification (PHR, SPHR, SHRM-CP/SCP) preferred

Why Join Cristo Rey Orange County High School? • Be part of a mission-driven organization transforming students’ lives • Opportunity to build and shape HR infrastructure in a growing school • Direct partnership with executive leadership • Access to a national network of 41 Cristo Rey schools

Compensation & Benefits • Salary: $80,000 – $90,000 annually (commensurate with experience) • Medical, dental, and vision insurance (school covers ~80% of base plan) • 403(b) retirement plan with employer contribution • Generous paid time off and holidays, including Christmas and New Year’s break • Eligible employer for Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF)

How to Apply

Interested candidates should submit a resume and cover letter to View email address on click.appcast.io with the subject line “Cristo Rey Senior HR Generalist.” Resumes will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled. Any resumes sent or telephone calls made to Cristo Rey will be redirected to OneOC.

Note: This job announcement is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Management reserves the right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.

Cristo Rey is an equal opportunity employer and encourages candidates from all backgrounds to apply.