Human Resources Director

Jewish Family Service of San Diego; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 125,000 - 135,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive healthcare coverage for?

401(k) employer contributions

Employer-paid life insurance

Paid vacation and sick leave

Job summary

Jewish Family Service of San Diego is seeking a Director of Human Resources to lead people strategy, oversee HR operations, and support a diverse, mission-driven workforce in a resource-conscious nonprofit setting.

The role emphasizes strategic planning, policy development, and hands-on leadership, with a focus on compliance and employee relations to foster an inclusive workplace.

Qualifications

• Eight years of progressive, hands-on human resources management experience.
• Three to five years of experience leading or managing an HR team.
• Bachelor’s degree in HR, Business Admin, Organizational Development, or related field.
• Strong working knowledge of federal, CA, local, and multi-state employment laws.
• Experience working in a nonprofit or mission-driven environment is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement HR strategies aligned with organizational goals and mission.
• Plan, lead, coordinate, and implement HR policies, processes, training, and surveys.
• Provide guidance on complex people matters to leaders and ensure practical, solutions-oriented advice.
• Balance long-term workforce planning with day-to-day HR operations.
• Develop and manage HR budget and identify cost-effective improvements.
• Lead and develop the HR team to deliver high-quality service.

Skills

Employee relations

HR leadership

Compliance knowledge

People analytics

Budget management

Education

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

Tools

UKG

HRIS

Job description

Lead People Strategy at a Mission-Driven San Diego Nonprofit

Jewish Family Service of San Diego is seeking an experienced, collaborative, and hands-on Director of Human Resources to help lead our people operations and advance an inclusive, supportive, and high-performing workplace.

Reporting to the Vice President of Human Resources, the Director of Human Resources is a senior HR leadership position responsible for planning, directing, and coordinating key human resources functions, including employee relations, employment law compliance, compensation and benefits, leaves of absence, performance management, workplace investigations, training, and organizational culture.

The ideal candidate is both a strategic HR leader and a practical problem-solver. This individual will be comfortable developing long-term people strategies while remaining closely involved in day-to-day HR operations. Success in this position requires sound judgment, strong knowledge of California and federal employment law, experience leading an HR team, and the ability to support a diverse, mission-driven workforce within a resource-conscious nonprofit environment.

Compensation and Benefits

The annual salary range for this position is $125,000 to $135,000, based on relevant experience, education, skills, and qualifications.

In addition to salary, Jewish Family Service of San Diego offers a comprehensive total rewards package that includes:

• Comprehensive, low-cost healthcare coverage for employees
• Generous employer contributions to a 401(k) retirement plan
• Employer-paid life insurance

Time Away from Work

We recognize that meaningful time away from work is essential to employee well-being and helps our team members bring their best selves to work. Time-off benefits for this position include:

• Paid vacation and sick leave
• 15 paid holidays, including federal and Jewish holidays when they fall on a normally scheduled workday
• Floating holidays
• Two Wellness Days that may be used throughout the year to support employees’ mental and emotional well-being

Key Responsibilities

HR Strategy and Organizational Leadership

• Develop and implement human resources strategies that align with organizational goals, operational priorities, and the mission of Jewish Family Service of San Diego.
• Plan, lead, develop, coordinate, and implement HR policies, processes, training programs, initiatives, and employee surveys.
• Serve as a strategic partner to organizational leaders and provide practical, solutions-oriented guidance on complex people matters.
• Balance long-term workforce planning with the day-to-day needs of a dynamic, mission-driven organization.
• Develop, manage, and monitor the Human Resources department budget while identifying cost-effective solutions and process improvements.

Employee Relations and Performance Management

• Lead employee relations efforts and help foster a respectful, inclusive, and positive workplace culture.
• Advise leaders on employee performance, coaching, corrective action, disciplinary matters, workplace disputes, and conflict resolution.
• Oversee or conduct fair, thorough, and timely workplace investigations.
• Act as a trusted liaison between employees, managers, organizational leadership, and outside employment counsel.
• Support performance management, employee recognition, engagement, morale, productivity, and retention initiatives.
• Manage sensitive and complex personnel matters with professionalism, discretion, sound judgment, and appropriate confidentiality.

HR Operations, Benefits, and Leave Administration

• Administer or oversee human resources programs involving compensation, employee benefits, leaves of absence, performance and talent management, occupational health and safety, recognition, training, and professional development.
• Ensure HR programs and processes are efficient, consistent, employee-focused, and aligned with organizational policies.
• Support the effective use, maintenance, and continuous improvement of UKG and other HR and talent management systems.
• Identify opportunities to strengthen HR workflows, documentation, service delivery, and the overall employee experience.

Employment Law and HR Compliance

• Monitor and ensure compliance with applicable federal, California, local, and multi-state employment laws and regulations.
• Maintain current knowledge of employment requirements, including the ADA, ADEA, Civil Rights Act, FLSA, FMLA, CFRA, Pregnancy Disability Leave, and other applicable laws.
• Review and update employment policies, procedures, documentation, and workplace practices to maintain compliance and promote consistency.
• Partner closely with employment attorneys and other external advisors when managing legal personnel matters, complex investigations, or employment-related risk.
• Recommend practical HR best practices that support compliance while meeting the needs of employees and the organization.

People Analytics and Process Improvement

• Establish, monitor, and analyze key HR performance indicators to identify trends, risks, and opportunities.
• Use metrics such as employee Net Promoter Score, or eNPS, missed meal and rest periods, employee engagement, retention, leave activity, and other workforce data to inform decision-making.
• Translate HR data into practical recommendations and measurable process improvements.
• Develop reports and insights that help leadership understand workforce needs and organizational performance.

HR Team Leadership and Development

• Lead, coach, and develop members of the Human Resources team.
• Set clear expectations, establish priorities, delegate responsibilities, and support accountability.
• Facilitate professional development, continuing education, training, and certification opportunities for HR staff.
• Build a collaborative, service-oriented HR function that responds to organizational needs with professionalism and appropriate urgency.

Required Qualifications

To be successful in this role, candidates must have:

• At least eight years of progressive, hands-on human resources management experience
• Three to five years of experience successfully leading or managing an HR team
• A bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Organizational Development, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and relevant professional experience
• Strong working knowledge of federal, California, local, and multi-state employment laws and regulations
• Working knowledge of the ADA, ADEA, Civil Rights Act, FLSA, FMLA, CFRA, Pregnancy Disability Leave, and other applicable employment requirements

Why Join Jewish Family Service of San Diego?

This is an opportunity for an accomplished HR leader to shape people strategy within a respected, mission-driven organization serving the San Diego community. The Director of Human Resources will have the opportunity to strengthen HR operations, support organizational leaders, develop HR professionals, improve the employee experience, and help build a workplace where employees can do meaningful work and thrive.

Equal Employment Opportunity and Accessibility

Jewish Family Service of San Diego is committed to maintaining an inclusive workplace and providing equal employment opportunities. Reasonable accommodations may be made for qualified individuals with disabilities throughout the application process and during employment.

Organization: Jewish Family Service of San Diego

Department: Human Resources

Employment Type: Full-Type, 37.5+ hours per week, Exempt

Work Setting: Fully Onsite

Reports To: Vice President of Human Resources

Salary Range: $125,000 to $135,000 per year