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.

Talent Management and Employer Brand

• Partner closely with the Director of Talent Acquisition and Onboarding to identify staffing and recruiting needs.
• Develop and implement effective hiring, talent management, workforce planning, and employee retention practices.
• Help maintain a strong and authentic employer brand that attracts qualified talent and reflects the organization’s culture, mission, and values.
• Support consistent and positive employee experiences throughout the employment lifecycle.
• Collaborate across departments to strengthen internal communication, employee engagement, and organizational effectiveness.

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
• Experience managing complex employee relations matters, workplace investigations, disciplinary actions, and performance concerns
• Experience handling legal personnel matters and partnering closely with employment counsel
• Strong analytical, critical-thinking, and problem-solving skills
• Excellent organizational skills and exceptional attention to detail
• Strong time-management skills and a demonstrated ability to meet deadlines
• The ability to manage multiple competing priorities with sound judgment and an appropriate sense of urgency
• The ability to prioritize and delegate responsibilities when appropriate
• The flexibility to adapt to changing organizational and employee needs
• The ability to collaborate effectively and communicate clearly across departments and organizational levels
• Experience supporting or working with a nonprofit or mission-driven workforce
• Proficiency with HR information systems and talent management platforms, or the ability to quickly learn UKG and related systems
• The ability to work fully onsite

Preferred Qualifications

The following qualifications are highly preferred:

• Ten or more years of progressive, hands-on human resources management experience
• A current SHRM-CP, SHRM-SCP, PHR, or SPHR certification
• Significant experience leading HR operations in a nonprofit, social services, healthcare, or similarly complex environment
• Advanced experience with UKG or a comparable human resources information system
• Experience developing HR dashboards, workforce reports, and employee engagement metrics

Leadership Competencies

The successful Director of Human Resources will demonstrate:

• Strategic thinking: Connects people strategy to organizational goals and mission.
• Hands-on leadership: Willingly engages in both strategic planning and daily HR operations.
• Sound judgment: Approaches sensitive employee matters with fairness, discretion, and professionalism.
• Employment law expertise: Maintains strong knowledge of evolving HR compliance requirements.
• Data-informed decision-making: Uses workforce metrics and employee feedback to improve programs and processes.
• Relationship building: Establishes trust and communicates effectively with employees, managers, executives, attorneys, and external partners.
• Change agility: Responds thoughtfully and effectively to changing priorities and organizational needs.
• Mission alignment: Understands the unique responsibilities and resource considerations of a nonprofit workplace.
• Operational discipline: Creates clear, efficient, and sustainable HR processes.
• Inclusive leadership: Supports a workplace in which employees feel respected, heard, and valued.

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.

If you are an experienced human resources leader who combines strategic thinking, California employment law expertise, employee relations experience, and hands-on people leadership, we encourage you to apply.

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.