Director of Human Resources

TITLE: Director of Human Resources (HR)

DEPARTMENT: Administration

REPORTS TO: Chief of Staff

SALARY: $89,000-$95,000/Annual

FLSA: Exempt

HOURS: Full-time, 40+ per week; available to staff during business hours; some evening or weekend work may be required

START DATE: ASAP

Heart of Los Angeles helps young people overcome barriers through exceptional, free, integrated programs and personalized guidance in a trusted, nurturing environment.

Our core values are: Respect, Responsibility,Support , Positive Communication, and Inclusion.

POSITION SUMMARY:

At Heart of LA, we recognize that strong employee relations and meaningful staff support are foundational to the impact we have on the students and communities we serve. As such, our HR Department plays a vital role in advancing our mission. This is an opportunity for a passionate and dedicated HR professional to apply their expertise in guiding and strengthening the HR operations of a growing, mission-driven social justice organization.

Heart of LA is seeking a people-centered Director of Human Resources to lead and oversee all core HR administrative functions. Reporting to the Chief of Staff, the Director of HR is responsible for managing the day-to-day operations of the Human Resources Department, including and not limited to maintaining employee records, administering health and leave benefits, overseeing and reviewing semi-monthly payroll for final Finance approval, ensuring timesheet accuracy and compliance, and serving as a primary resource for staff on HR policies, procedures, and programs. The Director of HR directly supervises the HR Coordinator.

The ideal candidate brings a strong foundation in all aspects of human resources, with exceptional attention to detail and well-developed analytical and time management skills. They are able to balance strategic thinking with hands-on execution, working both collaboratively and independently to ensure the seamless, end-to-end implementation of HR operations and projects.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Overseeing all human resources, talent strategy, and company culture to align with business goals.

HR Operations & Recordkeeping

• Prepare, maintain, and audit personnel records and reports, ensuring accuracy and confidentiality.
• Serve as the primary administrator of the organization’s HRIS (Paycom), maintaining data integrity and updating systems as needed.
• Process and document personnel transactions, including hires, promotions, transfers, performance reviews, and terminations.
• Maintain employee statistics and required reporting for government agencies and insurance providers.

Benefits Administration

• Administer employee benefits programs, including health insurance and retirement plans.
• Manage enrollments, claims resolution, change reporting, invoice approvals, and annual benefits evaluations.
• Administer leave programs, including vacation, sick leave, and state-managed leave programs, ensuring accurate tracking and compliance.

Payroll & Timekeeping

• Oversee the monitoring and review of timesheets throughout each pay period to ensure accuracy and compliance in collaboration with the HR Coordinator.
• Review personnel budgets to ensure salary and hour alignment with approved budgets.
• In collaboration with the HR Coordinator prepare and review semi-monthly payroll for final approval by Finance.

Recruitment & Hiring

• Partner with managers and directors to recruit for exempt, non-exempt, and temporary roles.
• Approve and post job requisitions, conduct reference checks, and prepare job offers.
• Lead onboarding for new hires and supervise the HR Coordinator’s participation in the process.

Compliance & Policy Administration

• Ensure compliance with all federal, state, and local employment laws and reporting requirements (including Immigration, ACA, and EDD).
• Research, draft, and update HR policies and procedures.
• Maintain and update the Employee Handbook.

Employee Relations & Organizational Development

• Respond to staff inquiries regarding policies, procedures, and benefits in a helpful and timely manner.
• Advise leadership on employee relations matters and participate in corrective and disciplinary meetings.
• Conduct internal investigations in collaboration with internal partners and legal counsel.
• Develop and facilitate supervisor training on hiring, performance management, compliance, and workplace conduct.
• Support staff development initiatives and employee engagement activities.

Supervision

• Directly supervise the HR Coordinator and assign responsibilities as needed to support departmental goals.

Other Duties

• Perform other HR-related responsibilities as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS | TRAITS AND CHARACTERISTICS DESIRED:

The Director of Human Resources brings 5+ years of progressively responsible experience in human resources, including recruiting, talent development, payroll administration. This role is responsible for leading Heart of LA’s human relations strategy and strengthening organizational capacity, voice, and reputation.

Strong candidates will:

• 5+ years of experience in all HR and benefit administration, preferably in the non-profit sector.
• Bachelor’s Degree preferred but will consider relevant experience
• Proficient to advanced experience with human resource information systems (Paycom preferred)
• Demonstrated proficiency in Google Workspace and Microsoft Office (including advanced Excel skills), with the ability to effectively utilize office equipment and conduct thorough research.
• A strong knowledge of Federal, State and Local Labor Laws. (CA & LA)
• Ability to maintain strong attention to detail and organizational skills, as they will deal with multiple tasks going on at the same time
• Comfortable with taking accountability for job duties and being solutions-oriented
• Ability to multitask and be resourceful
• Strong and effective written and oral communication skills; ability to enforce compliance with all staff in a diplomatic but assertive manner
• Experience fostering trust and psychological safety through consistent, people-centered HR practices.
• Ability to maintain a high-degree of confidentiality due to nature of the role
• A collaborative team-working style with ability to relate effectively with people from diverse backgrounds
• The highest standards of conduct and comportment; the ability to be a strong role model for youth during all working hours; treat employees, donors, staff and youth with respect
• Aligned to the mission, vision, and equity commitments of Heart of LA
• Must pass CA DOJ background check
• Spanish proficiency desired, but not required

PHYSICAL DEMANDS & WORK ENVIRONMENT:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the functions. While performing the duties of this position, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to use hands or fingers, handle, or feel objects, tools or controls.

The employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; sit; reach with hands and arms; climb or balance; and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this position include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, and the ability to adjust focus. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. The building environment does not provide air conditioning and heat in all areas. Outdoor work is expected in some cases.

This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee(s) incumbent in this position. Employees will be required to follow any other job-related instructions and to perform any other job-related duties requested by any person authorized to give instructions or assignments.

All duties and responsibilities are essential functions and requirements and are subject to possible modification to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities. To perform this job successfully, the incumbents will possess the skills, aptitudes and abilities to perform each duty proficiently. Some requirements may exclude individuals who pose a direct threat or significant risk to the health or safety of themselves or others. The requirements listed in this document are the minimum levels of knowledge, skills or abilities.

As an equal opportunity employer, HOLA values having a diverse workforce and continuously strives to maintain an inclusive and equitable workplace. We encourage people with a diverse range of backgrounds to apply. We do not discriminate against any employee or applicant on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin, religion, age, gender, handicap, pregnancy, sexual orientation, veteran status, or any other legally protected characteristics.

Legal Disclaimer: This document is intended for informational purposes only and by no means should replace or substitute other legal documents (governmental or non-governmental) reflecting similar content or advice. If you have legal questions concerning your situation or the information provided, you should consult with an attorney.

BENEFITS

• Employer-paid medical benefit
• Employer-paid vision and dental benefit
• Employer-paid life insurance benefit
• 403b retirement plan available with employer contribution
• Paid holidays benefit in excess of 20 days annually with birthday off, including 1 week of summer break and winter break between Christmas Eve and New Year's Day
• Paid vacation benefit to include one week during the first year, 2 weeks during 2nd year, and increasing to 3 weeks by 3rd year
• Paid sick time benefit of 10 days annually
• Paid parking or transportation stipend

Spanish Literacy Preferred