Director of Human Resources

Lead People Strategy At A Mission-Driven San Diego NonprofitJewish Family Service of San Diego is seeking an experienced, collaborative, and hands-on Director of Human Resources to help lead our people operations and advance an inclusive, supportive, and high-performing workplace.Reporting to the Vice President of Human Resources, the Director of Human Resources is a senior HR leadership position responsible for planning, directing, and coordinating key human resources functions, including employee relations, employment law compliance, compensation and benefits, leaves of absence, performance management, workplace investigations, training, and organizational culture.The ideal candidate is both a strategic HR leader and a practical problem-solver. This individual will be comfortable developing long-term people strategies while remaining closely involved in day-to-day HR operations. Success in this position requires sound judgment, strong knowledge of California and federal employment law, experience leading an HR team, and the ability to support a diverse, mission-driven workforce within a resource-conscious nonprofit environment.Compensation and BenefitsThe annual salary range for this position is $125,000 to $135,000, based on relevant experience, education, skills, and qualifications. In addition to salary, Jewish Family Service of San Diego offers a comprehensive total rewards package that includes:Comprehensive, low-cost healthcare coverage for employeesGenerous employer contributions to a 401(k) retirement planEmployer-paid life insuranceTime Away From WorkWe recognize that meaningful time away from work is essential to employee well-being and helps our team members bring their best selves to work. Time-off benefits for this position include:Paid vacation and sick leave15 paid holidays, including federal and Jewish holidays when they fall on a normally scheduled workdayFloating holidaysTwo Wellness Days that may be used throughout the year to support employees' mental and emotional well-beingKey ResponsibilitiesHR Strategy and Organizational LeadershipDevelop and implement human resources strategies that align with organizational goals, operational priorities, and the mission of Jewish Family Service of San Diego.Plan, lead, develop, coordinate, and implement HR policies, processes, training programs, initiatives, and employee surveys.Serve as a strategic partner to organizational leaders and provide practical, solutions-oriented guidance on complex people matters.Balance long-term workforce planning with the day-to-day needs of a dynamic, mission-driven organization.Develop, manage, and monitor the Human Resources department budget while identifying cost-effective solutions and process improvements.Employee Relations and Performance ManagementLead employee relations efforts and help foster a respectful, inclusive, and positive workplace culture.Advise leaders on employee performance, coaching, corrective action, disciplinary matters, workplace disputes, and conflict resolution.Oversee or conduct fair, thorough, and timely workplace investigations.Act as a trusted liaison between employees, managers, organizational leadership, and outside employment counsel.Support performance management, employee recognition, engagement, morale, productivity, and retention initiatives.Manage sensitive and complex personnel matters with professionalism, discretion, sound judgment, and appropriate confidentiality.HR Operations, Benefits, and Leave AdministrationAdminister or oversee human resources programs involving compensation, employee benefits, leaves of absence, performance and talent management, occupational health and safety, recognition, training, and professional development.Ensure HR programs and processes are efficient, consistent, employee-focused, and aligned with organizational policies.Support the effective use, maintenance, and continuous improvement of UKG and other HR and talent management systems.Identify opportunities to strengthen HR workflows, documentation, service delivery, and the overall employee experience.Employment Law and HR ComplianceMonitor and ensure compliance with applicable federal, California, local, and multi-state employment laws and regulations.Maintain current knowledge of employment requirements, including the ADA, ADEA, Civil Rights Act, FLSA, FMLA, CFRA, Pregnancy Disability Leave, and other applicable laws.Review and update employment policies, procedures, documentation, and workplace practices to maintain compliance and promote consistency.Partner closely with employment attorneys and other external advisors when managing legal personnel matters, complex investigations, or employment-related risk.Recommend practical HR best practices that support compliance while meeting the needs of employees and the organization.People Analytics and Process ImprovementEstablish, monitor, and analyze key HR performance indicators to identify trends, risks, and opportunities.Use metrics such as employee Net Promoter Score, or eNPS, missed meal and rest periods, employee engagement, retention, leave activity, and other workforce data to inform decision-making.Translate HR data into practical recommendations and measurable process improvements.Develop reports and insights that help leadership understand workforce needs and organizational performance.Talent Management and Employer BrandPartner closely with the Director of Talent Acquisition and Onboarding to identify staffing and recruiting needs.Develop and implement effective hiring, talent management, workforce planning, and employee retention practices.Help maintain a strong and authentic employer brand that attracts qualified talent and reflects the organization's culture, mission, and values.Support consistent and positive employee experiences throughout the employment lifecycle.Collaborate across departments to strengthen internal communication, employee engagement, and organizational effectiveness.HR Team Leadership and DevelopmentLead, coach, and develop members of the Human Resources team.Set clear expectations, establish priorities, delegate responsibilities, and support accountability.Facilitate professional development, continuing education, training, and certification opportunities for HR staff.Build a collaborative, service-oriented HR function that responds to organizational needs with professionalism and appropriate urgency.Required QualificationsTo be successful in this role, candidates must have:At least eight years of progressive, hands-on human resources management experienceThree to five years of experience successfully leading or managing an HR teamA bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Organizational Development, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and relevant professional experienceStrong working knowledge of federal, California, local, and multi-state employment laws and regulationsWorking knowledge of the ADA, ADEA, Civil Rights Act, FLSA, FMLA, CFRA, Pregnancy Disability Leave, and other applicable employment requirementsExperience managing complex employee relations matters, workplace investigations, disciplinary actions, and performance concernsExperience handling legal personnel matters and partnering closely with employment counselStrong analytical, critical-thinking, and problem-solving skillsExcellent organizational skills and exceptional attention to detailStrong time-management skills and a demonstrated ability to meet deadlinesThe ability to manage multiple competing priorities with sound judgment and an appropriate sense of urgencyThe ability to prioritize and delegate responsibilities when appropriateThe flexibility to adapt to changing organizational and employee needsThe ability to collaborate effectively and communicate clearly across departments and organizational levelsExperience supporting or working with a nonprofit or mission-driven workforceProficiency with HR information systems and talent management platforms, or the ability to quickly learn UKG and related systemsThe ability to work fully onsitePreferred QualificationsThe following qualifications are highly preferred:Ten or more years of progressive, hands-on human resources management experienceA current SHRM-CP, SHRM-SCP, PHR, or SPHR certificationSignificant experience leading HR operations in a nonprofit, social services, healthcare, or similarly complex environmentAdvanced experience with UKG or a comparable human resources information systemExperience developing HR dashboards, workforce reports, and employee engagement metricsLeadership CompetenciesThe successful Director of Human Resources will demonstrate:Strategic thinking: Connects people strategy to organizational goals and mission.