Director of Human Resources

Summary

Join TRAILS, a rapidly growing nonprofit focused on school-based mental health, as their Director of Human Resources. In this key leadership role, you will build and scale the organization's HR function from the ground up, collaborating with the VP of People to define and drive the strategic vision. You will champion diversity and inclusion, ensuring all HR practices are equitable and compliant. The ideal candidate possesses extensive HR management experience, particularly in a nonprofit setting, and a strong understanding of employment laws and regulations. This role requires exceptional communication and organizational skills to manage a 100+ staff and multiple priorities. TRAILS offers a competitive salary and a comprehensive benefits package.

Requirements

• 6+ years of progressive experience in Human Resources management (within nonprofit environment strongly preferred), with a strong focus on compliance, benefits administration, vendor relations, employee relations, and HRIS
• In-depth expertise in human resource management principles, industry best practices, and comprehensive knowledge of state and federal employment laws and regulations across multiple jurisdictions
• Proven experience in HRIS management, with a preference for candidates experienced with Rippling or similar platforms
• Demonstrated ability to build trust and credibility across the organization, particularly in sensitive situations with strong interpersonal skills
• Demonstrated ability to work in a highly collaborative environment, understanding the importance of working closely in partnership with organizational leadership, internal departments (especially finance and operations), and external vendors and partners
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to effectively coach, train, and engage employees at all levels
• Demonstrated ability to prioritize, organize, and manage multiple high-priority projects and responsibilities in a fast-paced environment, with a keen eye for detail
• High level of professionalism, adaptability, and flexibility in managing dynamic business needs and team dynamics
• Strong commitment to carrying out HR best practices through the lens of diversity, equity, and inclusion; and overall TRAILS mission and values
• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration or related field

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with the VP of People to define and drive the strategic vision for Human Resources, encompassing compliance, benefits administration, leave management, terminations, and HR technology
• Lead the development, implementation, and enhancement of HR policies, systems and a comprehensive annual calendar that align with the organization’s evolving needs and goals
• Regularly update the employee handbook to ensure it reflects best practices, legal requirements and organizational changes
• Optimize relationships with HR service providers - work closely with external HR service partners to maximize their offerings and capabilities, ensuring our employees know where to access key information and who to contact for support
• When necessary, lead research and facilitation of new vendor selection
• Partner with members of the People Team to design and implement effective onboarding, offboarding, and continuous development programs that enhance employee understanding of HR policies, best practices, and available resources
• Drive continuous improvement in HR processes and employee experience
• Proactively recommend and implement innovative solutions, process improvements, and best practices to streamline operations and improve the overall employee experience
• Work closely with the Finance and Operations teams on employee policies, process changes, and organizational administration (eg. payroll, coordination with our HRIS, state registrations, etc.) to ensure smooth and compliant operations
• Lead the communication, enrollment, and ongoing administration of employee benefit plans, ensuring clarity and engagement across the organization
• Manage the open enrollment process in collaboration with plan providers, overseeing the distribution of materials and effectively communicating changes to employees
• In collaboration with Talent Acquisition and Operations, oversee the compliance related processes of onboarding and offboarding, including I-9 verification, background checks, and adherence to federal, state, and local employment regulations
• Advise leadership on potential compliance and legal issues, proactively recommending and implementing solutions to mitigate risks
• Maintain accurate and up-to-date personnel records and ensure the HRIS system is fully compliant with all legal and regulatory requirements; communicate and problem solve with relevant departments and vendors when issues arise with discrepancies in personnel records or lapsed compliance
• Collaborate with the Talent Acquisition team and hiring managers to ensure accurate employee classification and alignment with job descriptions, ensuring compliance with applicable laws
• Facilitate employee relations meetings, provide guidance on HR-related issues and lead investigations
• Offer a confidential and supportive environment for employees to raise concerns, ensuring their voices are heard and respected
• In partnership with members of the People team, conduct comprehensive staffing analyses, identifying trends and turnover patterns to inform strategic workforce planning and retention initiatives
• Attend all staff meetings and retreats, workgroups and other relevant TRAILS meetings
• Support TRAILS team with all hands on deck events as needed and other team Initiatives

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in building and scaling HR functions from the ground up is highly desirable
• Professional certification in PHR and or SHRM-CP/ SHRM-SCP preferred

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision
• 403B with a safe harbor match
• Short and long term disability
• Generous holiday and paid time off package