Director of Human Resources

Strategic HR Client Job Openings•Cincinnati, OH

17d•$75,000 - $85,000•Hybrid

About The Position

Cincinnati Opera is seeking a part-time Director of Human Resources to lead and strengthen its HR function. The role serves as the primary HR resource for approximately 25 year-round employees and a significantly expanded seasonal workforce, combining strategic partnership with hands-on management of employee relations, performance management, recruiting, payroll oversight, compliance, onboarding, and HR operations in a department-of-one environment. The Director advises employees and leaders, supports workforce and organizational planning, oversees HR processes and vendor relationships, and improves policies and practices to promote consistency, communication, accountability, compliance, and operational effectiveness. The position averages approximately 30 hours per week and follows a hybrid arrangement. Preferred onsite availability is Tuesday through Thursday during much of the year, with increased onsite presence during the summer production season. HR activity increases significantly in spring and summer, particularly in recruitment, onboarding, payroll, employee support, and offboarding. Occasional evenings or weekends may be required during the production season.

Requirements

Five to seven years of progressively responsible HR experience with independent ownership of multiple HR functions, including employee relations, performance management, payroll, benefits, recruiting, compliance, policy administration, and onboarding/offboarding.
Strong working knowledge of federal and Ohio employment laws, HR best practices, and employee relations principles.
Experience serving as a trusted advisor to leaders.
Strong communication, coaching, relationship-building, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
Ability to manage multiple priorities, maintain confidentiality, and exercise sound judgment.
Experience working with HRIS and payroll systems and supporting day-to-day HR operations.
Ability to work independently in a department-of-one environment.
Ability to work occasional evenings or weekends during Cincinnati Opera’s production season.

Nice To Haves

Experience supporting seasonal workforces, payroll administration, compensation planning, workforce planning, vendor management, HR/payroll system transitions, unionized environments, and/or nonprofit or arts organizations.
SHRM-CP, SHRM-SCP, PHR, SPHR, or similar HR certification.
Appreciation for the arts and Cincinnati Opera’s mission.

Responsibilities

Serve as the primary HR resource for employees and leaders, advising on employee relations, performance management, workplace concerns, policy interpretation, and employment matters.
Coach and advise leadership on performance management, employee development, compensation matters, workforce planning, organizational effectiveness, and employment decisions.
Manage employee relations concerns and workplace investigations, partnering with legal counsel and external advisors when appropriate.
Lead recruiting activities, including job postings, candidate screening, interview coordination, offer administration, and onboarding.
Coordinate and administer employee benefits, PTO, leave programs, workers’ compensation, unemployment claims, employment verifications, and related HR processes.
Review and oversee payroll preparation and processing, ensuring employee data, deductions, classifications, compensation changes, and payroll inputs are accurate and compliant.
Maintain employee records, HRIS data, organizational documentation, and workforce reporting.
Manage onboarding and offboarding, partnering with leaders, IT providers, payroll vendors, and other stakeholders to support a positive employee experience.
Serve as the primary liaison with payroll, benefits, HR, and shared-services providers.
Support implementation and transition efforts involving new payroll, HRIS, and outsourced service providers.
Maintain and update HR policies, procedures, employee handbook materials, and compliance-related documentation.
Develop and improve HR processes that promote consistency, communication, accountability, compliance, and operational effectiveness.
Deliver training and guidance to leaders and employees on HR-related topics.