Associate Director of HR

The-Summit-Church; Brassfield (NC); On-site; USD 80,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

The Summit Church in Durham, NC is seeking an Associate Director of HR who will serve as the trusted partner and operational right hand to the Director of HR. This role focuses on benefits administration and overseeing talent acquisition while supporting all HR functions as a contributing member of the HR team.

The position offers the opportunity to influence church staff programs, ensure compliance with employment laws, and help shape HR strategy in a faith-based organization.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or related field preferred
• 2-4 years of progressive HR experience; nonprofit/ministry/faith background preferred
• Strong knowledge of employment law, benefits administration, and HR best practices

Responsibilities

• Assist with benefits administration and open enrollment
• Manage HRIS data integrity and reporting
• Coordinate talent acquisition and staff onboarding/transitions/terminations
• Support compliance with employment laws and records management
• Conduct benefits onboarding and respond to benefit questions/issues
• Assist with compensation market research and HR projects

Skills

HR experience

Interpersonal skills

Discretion and integrity

Organizational skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in HR or related field

Tools

HRIS (e.g., ADP, Paycom, Paylocity)

Job description

Job Details

Job Location: Central - Durham, NC 27703

Summary of Position

The Associate Director of HR is a trusted partner and operational right hand to the Director of HR. This role is primarily responsible for benefits administration and overseeing talent acquisition while supporting all HR functions as a contributing member of the HR team.

Qualifications and Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related field preferred
• 2-4 years of progressive HR experience; prior experience in a nonprofit, ministry, or faith-based organization preferred
• Strong working knowledge of employment law, benefits administration, and HR best practices
• Proficiency with HRIS platforms (e.g., ADP, Paycom, Paylocity, or similar)
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills — able to engage staff at all levels with warmth and professionalism
• High degree of discretion and integrity when handling confidential information
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities effectively
• A member of The Summit Church or willing and able to become a member

Responsibilities

Benefit Administration

• Assist the HR Director with conducting annual benefits review and open enrollment
• Work closely with the accounting team to review weekly claims reports, track reimbursements, and assist with billing discrepancies
• Promote cost saving components of the health plan and manage internal benefits communication channel
• Quality assurance for monthly and annual ACA compliance reporting
• Process leave of absence requests, including filing appropriate disability paperwork with carrier
• Process employer certifications related to Evidence of Insurability submission
• Conduct benefits onboarding meetings with new and newly-transitioned staff
• Update employee benefit elections during qualifying events, including disability paperwork
• Meet with staff members as needed to resolve benefit claim questions/issues
• Work with Guidestone account representative regarding plan performance and annual counseling meetings for staff retirement planning
• Assist the HR Director with market research related to compensation, benefits and HR best practices, including completing and analyzing annual surveys

Compliance

• Assist the HR Director in ensuring organizational adherence to federal, state, and local employment laws and regulations
• Respond to staff questions related to the employee handbook and internal procedures
• Monitor legislative changes that may affect church employment practices and advise leadership accordingly
• Support audit readiness and assist HR Associate with maintaining accurate, confidential employment records

Coordinate talent acquisition and staff onboarding/transitions/terminations

• Assist with the hiring process and interaction with hiring managers
• Oversee the interview process, to ensure compliance as well as a positive interview experience for candidates.
• Maintain approved interviewer list and train interviewers on best practices

Maintain Employee Databases and Data Integrity

• Optimize usage of HRIS system, and assist staff in utilizing available tools
• Review regular audits completed by the HR Associate
• Mastery and continual improvement of HR Dashboard in coordination with contracted resources

Assist HR Director with ongoing projects and strategies

• Assist with strategic HR initiatives, staff development efforts, and leadership projects
• Step in to represent the HR function in the absence of the HR Director
• Contribute to a collaborative, spiritually grounded HR team culture

Churchwide Events

The hours for this position are expected to be 40 hours per week. As one church that meets in many locations, there are several times throughout the year that Summit holds church-wide events in an effort to do whatever it takes to reach all people. All staff members are expected to serve at these church-wide events regardless of the positions they hold.

Such events include, but are not limited to: Easter services, church-wide prayer meetings, Good Friday service, and Christmas services. Serving expectations will be communicated in advance of each event.