Human Resources Director

YMCA of Centre County; Bellefonte (Centre County); On-site; USD 55,000 - 65,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Employer-paid health insurance

Dental and vision insurance

403(b) retirement plan

Free YMCA membership for employees and

immediate family members

Job summary

YMCA of Centre County seeks an experienced HR Director to provide executive oversight of human resources, payroll, and benefits, ensuring alignment between people strategy and the Y’s mission.

The role partners with the CEO and leadership team to cultivate an inclusive, high-performing workplace; oversee full employee lifecycle, governance, and organizational support across branches.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in HR or related field.
• Minimum five years of HR/administrative leadership experience; nonprofit experience preferred.
• Strong working knowledge of HR operations, office systems, and confidentiality.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment while supporting a diverse community.
• Excellent relationship-building, communication, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to lead and supervise staff with coaching and development.

Responsibilities

• Provide executive oversight of HR, payroll, and benefits administration.
• Partner with CEO and leadership to align people strategy with mission and values.
• Oversee recruitment, onboarding, and leadership development for exempt/managerial roles.
• Manage HRIS data, payroll coordination, leave programs, compliance and reporting.
• Lead employee relations, investigations, performance management, and policy interpretation.
• Coordinate internal communications and staff announcements; support organizational outreach.

Skills

Leadership

Employee relations

Strategic planning

HR policies

Communication

Problem solving

Confidentiality

Education

Bachelor’s degree in HR/Business

Tools

HRIS

Payroll systems

Job description

YMCA of Centre County is seeking a strategic HR Director to provide executive oversight of Human Resources, Payroll, and Benefits administration while ensuring alignment between people strategy, operational excellence, and the Y’s mission and values.

Serving as both a strategic business partner and hands-on leader, the HR Director will oversee the full employee lifecycle while supporting professional growth, employee retention, and service excellence. This position will partner closely with the CEO and leadership team to foster a high-performing, inclusive workplace culture and a welcoming, member-focused environment that strengthens the community. This is a full-time, exempt position with a significant role in organizational support and operations.

Duties and Responsibilities

Leadership & Strategy

• Serve as a confidential advisor to the CEO and leadership team on HR strategy, workforce planning, and organizational development.
• Partner with department leaders to address talent needs, strengthen retention, and support succession planning.
• Promote a workplace culture grounded in YMCA values, professionalism, and accountability.
• Provide administrative and operational support across branches and departments to ensure effective day-to-day operations.
• Support special projects and emerging organizational needs as they arise.

Employee Relations & Performance Management

• Serve as a trusted resource for employee relations concerns, conflict resolution, and policy interpretation.
• Support leaders throughout the performance management process, including coaching, corrective action, and termination.
• Lead workplace investigations and ensure concerns are addressed in a timely, consistent, and fair manner.
• Develop and distribute internal communications, including staff announcements, messaging, and informational materials.
• Coordinate exit interviews and identify trends and opportunities for improvement.

Talent Acquisition & Development

• Oversee recruitment and hiring processes for exempt, managerial, and professional positions.
• Lead onboarding improvements and ensure a consistent, positive experience for new employees.
• Develop and implement training programs that support leadership development, professional growth, and employee success.

Compensation, Benefits & HR Operations

• Partner with the CEO and Finance Director on wage development, job evaluations, and compensation benchmarking.
• Oversee benefits administration, payroll coordination, leave programs, and employee records.
• Maintain accurate HRIS data and support audits, reporting, and compliance requirements.
• Administer workers’ compensation claims and related reporting.
• Ensure timely and accurate submission of required data to YMCA of the USA, the U.S. Department of Labor, the Bureau of Labor Statistics, and other agencies or partners.
• Complete and submit employment verification documentation as needed.
• Review and update job descriptions as needed.

Compliance & Policy

• Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local employment laws, regulations, and organizational policies.
• Maintain and recommend updates to HR policies, the employee handbook, and internal procedures.
• Stay current on employment law developments and recommend proactive improvements.
• Continually assess, develop, and implement standard operating procedures to support organizational effectiveness and consistency.

Organizational Support & Operations

• Coordinate and support organizational outreach efforts, events, and community engagement initiatives as needed.
• Partner with the Marketing Director to develop flyers, internal resources, and staff-facing materials that align with YMCA branding.

Supervision

• Supervise the Assistant HR Director, providing coaching, professional development, and performance feedback.
• Support leadership staff with training, employee relations, and staff management guidance as needed.

Education & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related field.
• Minimum of five years of related HR or administrative leadership experience; YMCA or nonprofit experience strongly preferred.
• Strong working knowledge of HR operations, office systems, and administrative functions, with the ability to work effectively in a fast-paced environment.
• Demonstrated ability to lead with professionalism, confidentiality, and sound judgment while supporting a diverse workforce and community.
• Ability to maintain a consistent schedule and prioritize regular accessibility to staff.
• Strong relationship-building, communication, and problem-solving skills, with the ability to work independently and collaboratively.

Pay & Benefits

• $55,000-$65,000 per year, depending on education and experience
• Generous paid time off package
• Employer-paid health insurance
• Dental and vision insurance
• 403(b) retirement plan
• Free YMCA membership for employees and immediate family members, with access to all four YMCA of Centre County branches