Head of People & Culture

Head Of People & Culture

HomeRise is seeking a strategic and operationally strong Head of People & Culture to lead the organization's human capital strategy and people operations. Internally, this position functions as the Head of Human Resources, overseeing the organization's HR systems, compliance responsibilities, and workforce governance.

Reporting directly to the CEO and serving as a key member of the Executive Leadership Team, the Head of People & Culture will design and lead the systems, policies, and cultural practices that support more than 200 staff delivering permanent supportive housing and services across San Francisco.

This role requires an experienced HR leader who understands the complexity of mission-driven organizations operating in unionized environments and who can build systems that support both staff success and organizational accountability.

Salary: $175,000 – $200,000

Schedule: Full-time, Exempt

Location: Hybrid · Min. 3 days onsite, SF

Reports To: CEO

Executive Leadership & Strategy

• Serve as a member of the Executive Leadership Team; partner with the CEO and senior leaders to develop and implement human capital strategies aligned with HomeRise's mission and strategic plan.

• Develop and implement a comprehensive people strategy supporting organizational stability, staff engagement, workforce development, and leadership succession.

• Provide strategic counsel to executive leadership on organizational design, workforce planning, talent development, and culture-building initiatives.

• Lead change management strategies during periods of organizational growth, restructuring, or programmatic expansion.

• Present regularly to the Board of Directors on human capital strategy, workforce metrics, and organizational culture initiatives.

Labor Relations & Workforce Governance

• Lead HomeRise's labor relations strategy, including partnership with legal counsel and senior leadership on collective bargaining agreement administration and negotiations.

• Oversee the interpretation, implementation, and compliance of collective bargaining agreements and manage union relationships.

• Advise leadership on complex employee relations matters, including grievances, investigations, and disciplinary actions.

• Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local labor laws; provide oversight of investigations and risk mitigation practices.

Organizational Culture & Employee Experience

• Develop and lead initiatives that strengthen HomeRise's organizational culture and employee engagement.

• Design frameworks that support staff motivation, retention, and professional growth.

• Lead organization-wide efforts to improve employee communication, leadership development, and workplace culture.

• Promote a workplace culture grounded in accountability, respect, and mission alignment.

Human Resources Operations

• Oversee the full HR function, including employee relations, talent management, compensation, benefits, compliance, HR systems, and workforce analytics.

• Supervise the HR team: Senior HR Business Partner, Payroll Specialist, and Talent Management Business Partner.

• Ensure efficient and compliant HR operations, including recruitment, onboarding, performance management, and employee lifecycle administration.

• Partner with Finance on payroll governance; oversee benefits strategy, broker relationships, and annual benefits administration.

• Manage the HR budget and monitor workforce-related expenditures.

Risk Management & Compliance

• Ensure HR policies and procedures align with legal and regulatory requirements.

• Partner with legal counsel and insurance providers on employment matters, including investigations, litigation, and risk mitigation.

• Support external audits and compliance reviews related to employment practices.

• Oversee workers' compensation programs, insurance coordination, and employment practices liability management.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Organizational Development, Business Administration, or a related field.

• Minimum of 10 years of progressively responsible experience in human resources leadership.

• At least 7 years of experience supervising HR or professional staff.

• Demonstrated experience managing HR operations in a unionized workforce environment.

• Strong knowledge of California employment law and HR compliance.

• Experience leading organizational change initiatives and workforce strategy.

• Proficiency with HRIS systems and Microsoft Office tools.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working in nonprofit housing, social services, or supportive housing environments.

• Advanced degree in Human Resources, Organizational Development, Public Administration, or a related field.

• HR certification: SHRM-SCP or SPHR.

• Experience supporting organizations with 150+ employees.

• Multilingual proficiency: Spanish, Cantonese, Mandarin, or Vietnamese.

About HomeRise

HomeRise provides permanent supportive housing and comprehensive services to formerly homeless individuals and families across San Francisco. For more than 35 years, the organization has demonstrated that housing combined with voluntary services creates the stability individuals need to rebuild their lives. HomeRise currently operates 18 housing sites serving more than 1,500 residents and employs more than 200 staff dedicated to advancing housing stability and community well-being.