HR Systems Director

Kidango; Fremont (CA); On-site; USD 15,000 - 18,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Real-world impact on children’s lives

Friendly, supportive team environment

Industry-leading benefits package

Global collaboration opportunities

Job summary

Kidango is seeking an HR Systems Director in Fremont, CA to lead and optimize our People tech stack, including core HRIS, payroll, and learning systems. You will partner with HR, Finance, and IT to implement scalable HR tech solutions.

You will drive system configuration, upgrades, security, and integrations, while translating business needs into technical requirements and maintaining thorough documentation and training.

Qualifications

• BS degree or equivalent in HR, IT, business administration, or related field.
• 5+ years of hands-on experience configuring HR tech stacks, day-to-day operation, troubleshooting, enhancements, and integrations.
• Strong understanding of Payroll, Time Tracking, and Absence processes and their IT dependencies.
• Experience with HR and Payroll system selection, configuration, implementation and updates.
• Expertise with databases and large datasets (Excel, SQL, Python), data systems (Salesforce), data analytics tools (R, Tableau, Power BI).
• Excellent project management, stakeholder management, and communication skills.
• Knowledge of HR and Payroll compliance and regulations.

Responsibilities

• Develops Kidango’s HR systems and roadmap in partnership with HR stakeholders, Finance and IT.
• Supports selection, configuration, implementation and stabilization of core HR and Payroll systems.
• Leads HRIS/People Technology projects including planning, coordination and execution.
• Leads SIT/UAT testing with test schedules, scripts, defect logging and follow-ups.
• Manages integrations with related systems, workflows, and APIs.
• Oversees system upgrades, patches, and new feature implementations.
• Manages HRIS modules: Core HCM, Onboarding, Absence, Compensation, Benefits, Time Tracking, Payroll, and LMS.
• Ensures system security with access controls, MFA, and data encryption.
• Drives configuration and optimization to meet org needs and policy compliance.
• Translates business requirements into technical HR solutions and creates documentation.
• Develops user guides, training materials, and conducts user training sessions.
• Acts as liaison between internal teams, HR systems support, and vendors.
• Collaborates with IT to maintain data security and privacy for HRIS initiatives.
• Supports reporting needs for People Operations and audits.

Skills

HRIS configuration

Payroll processes

Time tracking

Absence management

Systems integrations

Security & privacy

Project management

Stakeholder management

Non-profit HR

Education

BS Degree in HR/IS/Business

Tools

Excel

SQL

Python

Salesforce

R

Tableau

Power BI

Job description

A little about us… Kidango (kidango.org) is an early learning nonprofit committed to setting every child on a path to thrive in kindergarten and in life. We believe that all children can reach their full potential if they and their families have access to the right opportunities and resources. As the largest child care provider in the San Francisco Bay Area, we provide thousands of children, especially those from low-income families, with safe, healthy, nurturing environments and relationships. Through our policy work, we aim to take our expertise beyond the children and families that we serve, and drive change in early childhood education at the local, state and federal levels. Our goal is to make sure all children have the social, emotional, and academic skills they need to learn, grow and realize their potential.

About The Role

The HR Systems Director leads the administration, configuration, and optimization of Kidango’s entire People tech stack which includes core HRIS, talent, performance, learning, and payroll management systems. This role serves as the subject matter expert and a strategic partner across HR, Payroll, Finance, and IT to ensure HR systems support organizational goals, enhance the employee experience, drive operational efficiency, and deliver scalable solutions.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Develops Kidango’s HR systems and roadmap in partnership with HR stakeholders, Finance and IT.
• Supports the selection, configuration, design, implementation, and stabilization of core HR and Payroll systems.
• Leads implementation HRIS/People Technology projects, including project planning, coordination, and execution.
• Leads testing (SIT/UAT), including test schedule tracking, test script organization, defect logging, and follow-ups.
• Leads and executes integrations with related systems, business processes, workflows, and APIs.
• Manages system upgrades, patches, and new feature implementations.
• Manages modules in an HRIS system including Core HCM, Onboarding, Absence, Compensation, Benefits, Time Tracking, and Payroll and integrated talent management and learning management systems.
• Manages system security, including user access controls, multi-factor authentication, and data encryption.
• Drives ongoing system configuration and optimization to meet organizational needs and improve efficiency; partners with HR, Payroll, and Operations to validate system design against policy and compliance requirements.
• Turns business requirements into technical requirements and proposed HR technical solutions while treating every challenge as an opportunity for improvement and efficiency.
• Creates and maintains system documentation, configuration guides, process workflows.
• Develops user guides, job aids, training materials; conducts user training sessions for HR systems.
• Serves as liaison between internal teams, HR systems support, and third-party vendors to manage escalations and ensure optimal systems performance.
• Works with IT to maintain highest standards of data security and privacy compliance throughout all HRIS initiatives.
• Serves as the go-to person for People Operations reporting needs; supports audit reporting needs.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Preferred Qualifications

• BS Degree in Human Resources, Information Systems, Business Administration, or related field.
• 5+ years of hands-on experience across the HR tech stack, including configuring HR systems, day-to-day operations, troubleshooting, system enhancements, and integrations.
• Strong understanding of Payroll, Time Tracking, and Absence business processes, including IT dependencies.
• Experience with the selection, configuration, implementation and updating of HR and Payroll systems.
• Expertise with databases and working with large datasets (e.g. Excel, SQL, Python), data systems (e.g. Salesforce), research methodologies (including data cleansing and quantitative analysis) and evaluation frameworks, data analytics tools and platforms (e.g. R, Tableau or Power BI).
• Strong project management skills with the ability to prioritize and execute in a fast-moving, ambiguous environment.
• Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills and ability to influence across all levels.
• Knowledge of HR and Payroll compliance and regulations.
• Knowledge of integrations with Greenhouse, Atlassian (JIRA + Confluence), Google Apps, Slack, and Okta preferred
• Experience in non-profit with early education, including state and federal policy preferred.
• Ability to work during the organization’s core work hours and be flexible in work schedule including some evenings and weekends; travel as needed to agency, community and state functions.

Compensation

$161,506.80—$161,506.80 USD

Additional Requirements

• Must pass a health screening and TB test
• Must pass background fingerprint clearance
• Valid Driver License
• Must be 18 years or older
• The ability to lift up to 30lbs may be needed during some job duties
• The employee will be required to use hands for computer work, answering phone calls, etc.
• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job functions

Perks

• An opportunity to improve real lives, solve hard problems, and change the world
• Friendly, supportive, and adventurous environment with a team of engaged colleagues
• A comprehensive, industry-leading benefits package
• Opportunities to connect with and learn from colleagues and partners around the world

Drug-Free Workplace

We believe every employee has the right to work in an environment that is free from all forms of unlawful discrimination. Consistent with applicable laws, Kidango makes all decisions involving any aspect of the employment relationship without regard to race, color, religion, age, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, national origin, citizenship, the presence of any physical or mental disability of someone otherwise qualified, veteran status, genetic information, or any other status or characteristic protected by local, state, or federal law, other than those positions which are deemed ministerial in nature. Discrimination and/or harassment based on any of those factors are inconsistent with our philosophy of doing business and will not be tolerated. This policy of non-discrimination applies to all aspects of application procedures, hiring, advancement, transfers, reductions in force, discharge, compensation, training, or other terms, conditions and privileges of employment.

EEO

A diverse and inclusive workplace where we learn from each other is an integral part of Kidango’s culture. We actively welcome people of different backgrounds, experiences, abilities and perspectives. We are an equal opportunity employer and a great place to work. Join us and help us achieve our mission!

If you need assistance or accommodation to complete your application, please contact our recruitment team at [e-mail]. We’re happy to support you through the process.