Senior Director of People Operations

Home of Guiding Hands; El Cajon (CA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Generous Paid Time Off

Retirement savings plan

Wellness programs

Leadership development

Collaborative executive team

Job summary

Home of Guiding Hands in El Cajon, CA is seeking a Senior Director of People Operations to lead the People Operations function, partner with executive leadership to shape workforce strategy, and drive day-to-day HR operations on-site.

You will build a high-performing team, navigate California employment law, support union and non-union environments, and drive recruitment, onboarding, retention, and leadership development across multiple locations.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of progressive Human Resources experience.
• At least 5 years leading HR teams in a complex, multi-site organization.
• Strong knowledge of California labor laws, employee relations, investigations, and compliance.
• Experience working in union and non-union environments.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and decision-making skills.
• Experience with HRIS systems (UKG preferred).
• SHRM or HRCI certification is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop a high-performing People Operations team.
• Partner with executives to support organizational growth and workforce planning.
• Provide expert guidance on employee relations, investigations, performance management, and California employment law.
• Foster a positive, accountable workplace culture across multiple locations.
• Work collaboratively with union and non-union teams.
• Oversee compliance, policies, HR operations, benefits, and organizational development.
• Use workforce data and analytics to identify trends and recommend improvements.
• Support recruitment, onboarding, retention, and leadership development initiatives.

Skills

Leadership

Employee Relations

California Law

Communications

Investigations

Workforce Planning

Education

SHRM/HRCI Certification

Tools

UKG HRIS

Job description

Job Category: People Operations Department

Requisition Number: SENIO001062

• Posted : July 22, 2026
• Full-Time

Locations

Showing 1 location

Description

Senior Director of People Operations

Home of Guiding Hands | El Cajon, CA (On-Site)
$120,000 - $130,000 + Outstanding Benefits

Lead People. Shape Culture. Make a Difference.

At Home of Guiding Hands, our employees are the heart of everything we do. Every day, our team helps children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities live fuller, more independent lives. We're looking for a strong People Operations leader who is ready to build high-performing teams, support leaders across the organization, and help shape the future of our workforce.

If you're an experienced HR leader who thrives in a fast-paced environment, enjoys solving complex employee relations challenges, and believes that people are an organization's greatest asset, we'd love to meet you.

What You'll Do

As our Senior Director of People Operations, you'll serve as the organization's senior HR leader, partnering directly with executive leadership to drive people strategy while leading the day-to-day operations of the People Operations department.

You’ll:

• Lead and develop a high-performing People Operations team.
• Partner with executives to support organizational growth and workforce planning.
• Provide expert guidance on employee relations, investigations, performance management, and California employment law.
• Foster a positive, accountable workplace culture across multiple locations.
• Work collaboratively with union and non-union teams.
• Oversee compliance, policies, HR operations, benefits, and organizational development.
• Use workforce data and analytics to identify trends and recommend improvements.
• Support recruitment, onboarding, retention, and leadership development initiatives.

What We're Looking For

We’re seeking a confident and collaborative HR leader who brings:

• 10+ years of progressive Human Resources experience.
• At least 5 years leading HR teams in a complex, multi-site organization.
• Strong knowledge of California labor laws, employee relations, workplace investigations, and compliance.
• Experience working in union and non-union environments.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and decision‑making skills.
• Experience with HRIS systems (UKG preferred).
• SHRM or HRCI certification is a plus.

Why Join Home of Guiding Hands?

You’ll be joining an organization where your work truly matters. In addition to a meaningful mission, we offer:

• Generous Paid Time Off and paid holidays
• Retirement savings plan
• Employee wellness and appreciation programs
• Opportunities for professional growth and leadership development
• A collaborative executive team that values innovation, accountability, respect, and teamwork

About Home of Guiding Hands

Since 1967, Home of Guiding Hands has supported children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities throughout San Diego and Imperial Counties. Our services help individuals live as independently as possible while providing families with the support they need. Every role within our organization contributes to improving lives and strengthening our community.

Home of Guiding Hands is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive workplace for all employees.

Equal Opportunity Employer
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws.For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.