HR Consultant (Interim) - Human Resources

Bay Cove Cape Cod; Boston (MA); Hybrid; USD 95,000 - 105,000; Full time

Job summary

Bay Cove Human Services seeks an interim HR Consultant to serve as a strategic and operational partner during a 6‑month coverage period. You will support program leaders, oversee HR operations, ensure policy compliance, and maintain personnel records to guarantee seamless service delivery.

In this hybrid role, you will drive talent solutions, lead investigations, and advise on organizational design while maintaining strict confidentiality and adherence to regulatory standards.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related field preferred.
• 7–8 years of progressive human resources experience with employee relations and HR operations/compliance.
• PHR or SPHR professional certification highly preferred.
• HRIS/HRMS software, Microsoft Office Suite, and Google Suite proficiency.
• In-depth understanding of state and federal employment laws and regulatory compliance.
• Strong interpersonal, written, and verbal communication with high discretion.

Responsibilities

• Partner with program leaders to provide strategic HR guidance and drive program outcomes.
• Manage complex employee relations issues and conduct thorough investigations.
• Provide coaching on performance management, career development, and disciplinary actions.
• Enhance workplace culture, retention, and organizational design through strategic HR initiatives.
• Oversee core HR operations, policy compliance, and personnel records management.
• Lead CORI reviewer duties and ensure agency compliance with applicable regulations.

Skills

Employee relations

HR operations

Regulatory knowledge

Communication

Confidentiality

Problem solving

Education

Bachelor’s degree in HR/Business

Tools

HRIS/HRMS

Microsoft Office

Google Workspace

Job description

Bay Cove Human Services’ mission is to partner with people to overcome challenges and realize personal potential. Bay Cove pursues this mission by providing individualized and compassionate services to people facing the challenges associated with developmental disabilities, mental illness, substance use disorders, and homelessness at more than 175 program sites throughout Greater Boston and southeastern Massachusetts.

Term / Duration: 6-Month Fixed Contract (Leave Coverage)

Reports To: Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO)

FLSA Status / Class: Exempt / Professional

Hybrid Position requiring 2-3 days onsite

Job Summary

The interim HR Consultant serves in a dual strategic and operational capacity during a 6-month coverage period to assist the organization while team members are on leave. This role acts as a strategic human resources partner to program leaders, helping them build high-performing teams aligned with organizational goals, while simultaneously overseeing core HR operations, processes, policy compliance, and personnel records management. The HR Consultant ensures seamless continuity, high-quality service delivery, and legal compliance across both strategic advisory and tactical HR functions.

Essential Functions of the Position

Strategic HR & Employee Relations (HRBP Focus)

• Program Partnership: Meets regularly with program Vice Presidents and leadership teams to provide strategic HR guidance and drive positive program outcomes.
• Employee Relations & Investigations: Manages and resolves complex employee relations issues; conducts thorough, objective, and effective investigations.
• Performance Management: Provides day-to-day performance management guidance to leadership (e.g., coaching, counseling, career development, and formal disciplinary actions).
• Workplace Culture & Retention: Works closely with management and staff to improve working relationships, build team morale, and increase employee productivity and retention.
• Organizational Design: Provides input and guidance on program restructures, workforce planning, succession planning, and identifies individual executive coaching and training needs.
• HR Analytics: Analyzes trends and metrics in partnership with the HR team to develop targeted HR solutions, programs, and policy updates.

HR Operations, Compliance & Administration (Operations Focus)

• Core Operations Optimization: Manages and streamlines core HR processes and workflows to ensure high efficiency, consistency, and alignment with organizational needs.
• Compliance & Legal Standards: Ensures agency compliance with local, state, and federal employment laws; maintains up-to-date legal knowledge and partners with outside legal counsel as required.
• Personnel Records & Handbooks: Oversees employee personnel records management, employee directories, organizational charts, and contributes to the upkeep of the employee handbook.
• CORI Lead Reviewer: Acts as the lead CORI reviewer, strictly applying all applicable rules and regulations to maintain full agency compliance (including EEOHS, DDS, and DPPC regulations).
• Audits & Unemployment Management: Manages agency audits (including data retrieval, kickoff meetings, and audit tasks) and oversees unemployment claims and documentation.
• Team Leadership & Inquiries: Supervises administrative/operations staff (e.g., HR Coordinator) and ensures timely responses to agency-wide HR inquiries via general email and phone channels.
• Process Improvement & Tools: Creates and refines administrative templates, job descriptions, evaluation processes, and collaborates with Talent Acquisition and HRBP teams on data initiatives.

Job Requirements & Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related field preferred.
• Experience: Minimum of 7–8 years of progressive human resources experience, with proven expertise in resolving complex employee relations issues and managing HR operations/compliance.
• Certifications: PHR or SPHR professional certification highly preferred.
• Technical Systems: Demonstrated proficiency with HRIS/HRMS software, Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word, Outlook), and Google Suite.
• Regulatory & Compliance Knowledge: In-depth understanding of state and federal employment laws, personnel compliance records management, and agency regulations.
• Interpersonal & Communication Skills: Exceptional emotional intelligence, written/verbal communication, customer service, and strong influence skills to navigate complex situations.
• Problem Solving & Detail Focus: Strong analytical, diagnostic, and problem-solving abilities with high attention to detail and proven time-management skills to meet strict deadlines.
• Confidentiality: Uncompromising ability to handle sensitive information with complete discretion and confidentiality.

Mission Traits & Core Values

• Flexibility & Integrity: Utilizes a flexible and responsible work style that meets the evolving needs of the agency while working with utmost integrity.
• Dignity & Advocacy: Respects the dignity and value of all individuals and exhibits the agency mission through job knowledge, pride in work, and active advocacy.
• Diversity & Inclusion: Actively promotes diversity, equity, and inclusion for all individuals across agency initiatives.
• Collaboration: Works in a collaborative, compassionate, and solution-focused manner with internal and external stakeholders.

Bay Cove Human Services is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, ethnicity, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, national origin, sexual orientation, disability, age, veteran status, or any other groups as protected by Massachusetts or federal law. All qualified candidates, regardless of background, are encouraged to apply.

Bay Cove Human Services does not offer visa sponsorships at this time and will require candidates to be authorized to work in the United States.

Pay Range: $95,000 - $105,000 Salary