Job Details

Job Location
Verbeck Resource Center - El Cajon, CA

Salary Range
$105,000.00 - $115,000.00 Salary/year

Description

Job Summary

The Director of People Operations at Home of Guiding Hands will lead the day-to-day functions of the People Operations (HR) department, ensuring comprehensive HR support across the organization. This role oversees a team including a Benefits Manager, Senior HR Business Partner, two HR Generalists, and the recruiting department, supporting both union and non-union staff. The Director will ensure HR services are effectively provided to all departments, including Residential Services, Community Services, Transportation, Finance, Development, and other support functions, fostering a positive, compliant, and strategic approach to people management and employee engagement.

Tasks, Duties, and Responsibilities

• Lead and manage the People Operations team, including direct oversight of the Benefits Manager, Senior HR Business Partner, HR Generalists, and recruiting personnel.
• Provide strategic direction and support to the team, fostering a collaborative and high-performance culture.
• Ensure People Operations functions align with HGH's mission, vision, and values, creating a positive employee experience and supporting employee growth.
• Lead efforts to foster a supportive work environment, handling employee relations matters with professionalism and sensitivity.
• Oversee employee relations practices, including conflict resolution, performance improvement, and employee feedback, ensuring fair and consistent practices across departments.
• Develop and implement engagement initiatives that align with HGH's culture, including diversity and inclusion efforts and recognition programs.
• Oversee the Benefits Manager in all aspects of benefits administration, including health, dental, vision, life insurance, FSAs, LSAs, and other supplemental coverages.
• Ensure benefits programs remain competitive and compliant with federal and state laws (e.g., HIPAA, ACA, COBRA), supporting the wellness and financial security of HGH employees.
• Guide the team in providing clear communication and training on benefits and other HR programs.
• Serve as a key point of contact for union-related matters, providing guidance to managers and the People Operations team to ensure adherence to labor contracts.
• Work collaboratively with union representatives, managing negotiations and ensuring compliance with collective bargaining agreements.
• Monitor and address any issues related to union and non-union employee relations, maintaining positive and productive relationships across the organization.
• Partner with the recruiting department to develop and implement effective recruitment and retention strategies that attract top talent for HGH's mission-driven work.
• Oversee recruitment processes, ensuring the timely and effective placement of qualified candidates for various roles within HGH.
• Collaborate on initiatives to reduce turnover and promote employee engagement, ensuring that HGH remains an employer of choice in the non-profit sector.
• Implement and manage performance management processes that support employee development and organizational goals.
• Provide guidance to managers across all departments on performance evaluations, goal setting, and feedback processes.
• Identify opportunities for professional development and training to support employee growth and engagement, including leadership development initiatives.
• Develop, implement, and enforce HR policies that align with legal requirements and best practices, ensuring compliance with federal, state, and local labor laws.
• Regularly review and update employee handbooks, policies, and procedures, ensuring clarity, fairness, and legal compliance.
• Ensure the People Operations team is trained in compliance and policy enforcement, with an emphasis on maintaining a fair and equitable workplace.
• Collaborate with the VP of Operations to develop and implement HR strategies that support HGH's long-term goals.
• Analyze trends in People Operations metrics, such as turnover, retention, and engagement, to identify areas for improvement and develop strategic initiatives.
• Oversee initiatives related to organizational development, succession planning, and cultural initiatives, driving positive change and growth within HGH.
• Oversee HRIS management and data integrity, ensuring that employee data is accurate, confidential, and up to date.
• Provide regular reports on key People Operations metrics to inform strategic planning and decision-making.
• Work with finance to support budget development and forecasting for HR-related expenses.

Values

Innovation - We encourage creativity and innovation because we believe that by striving for more efficient and effective ways of doing things, we can achieve exceptional results. Our drive for success is shared by all. Our organization focuses on solutions and refuses to maintain the status quo. We challenge our team to be ahead of industry trends as we strive to lead and not follow.

Collaboration - We believe that working together collaboratively is the foundation of a culture that values teamwork, communication, and cooperation. This belief is central to every part of our business, both internally and externally, and strengthens our community.

Accountability - We take responsibility for our actions and for delivering on our commitments. We believe that by being transparent and accountable, we build trust and maintain the respect of our stakeholders.

Respect - We treat everyone with respect and dignity. We value inclusivity and believe that by upholding a culture of respect, we can foster a positive and supportive work environment. We treat others as we would want to be treated.

Empathy - We value empathy and understanding in all our interactions. We seek to understand the perspectives and needs of our colleagues, clients, and stakeholders to meet them with kindness and compassion.

Qualifications

Knowledge, Skills, and Education

• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or related field, or equivalent experience.
• Minimum of 10 years of HR experience, with at least 5 years in a management role, preferably within a non-profit or multi-site organization.
• Strong understanding of California labor laws, union relations, and compliance requirements, including FMLA, CFRA, ADA, and EEO regulations.
• Experience managing benefits programs, labor relations, recruitment, and employee relations.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to build relationships and influence stakeholders across all levels of the organization.
• Proficiency in HRIS systems, Microsoft Office Suite, and HR compliance software preferred.

Physical Requirements/Work Environment

This job operates in a professional office environment. The employee is frequently required to sit, stand, walk, and interact with fellow employees. The role requires the ability to lift objects up to 10 pounds occasionally.

Equal Opportunity Employer Statement

Home of Guiding Hands is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, or gender identity/expression), age, marital status, status as a protected veteran, among other things, or status as a qualified individual with disability.

About HGH

Home of Guiding Hands is a non-profit organization that was established in 1967 by a small group of dedicated and ambitious community members. The Mission of HGH is "to improve the lives of those we serve". We support children and adults in San Diego and Imperial Counties with intellectual and developmental disabilities, such as Down syndrome, epilepsy, autism, and cerebral palsy. We provide a full continuum of care including residential care in specialized group homes, independent living support, respite care, and adult foster home services. Additionally, we provide early childhood assessments and services, tailored day support, Life Planning workshops, county-wide transportation services, and on-site activities at our resource center.

To see all our available career opportunities please visit: https://www.guidinghands.org/careers/