Director of Human Resources

People USA • Poughkeepsie, NY

2d

About The Position

The Director of Human Resources leads and strengthens People USA’s human resources systems, policies, and practices to support a growing, mission-driven organization. Reporting to the Chief Operating Officer (COO), the HR Director ensures that all HR functions are compliant with New York State and federal labor laws, operationally sound, and aligned with People USA’s values, culture, and departmental needs. This role provides both strategic and hands-on leadership, overseeing the HR Manager and working collaboratively across departments to ensure effective onboarding, training, benefits administration, payroll coordination, and internal systems that enable staff to be successful throughout their employment at People USA.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related field (or equivalent experience).
• Significant experience in human resources leadership, preferably within New York State.
• Strong working knowledge of New York State and federal employment laws and HR compliance requirements.
• Experience supervising staff and managing HR systems and policies.
• Strong organizational, communication, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with leadership and across departments.

Nice To Haves

• Experience in a nonprofit, behavioral health, or peer-run organization.
• Experience working in a multi-department, grant-funded, or regulated environment.

Responsibilities

• HR Leadership & Supervision Provide leadership, direction, and supervision to the HR Manager. Ensure the HR department operates efficiently, ethically, and in compliance with New York State and federal labor regulations. Serve as a key HR advisor to the Executive Leadership team.
• Policies, Handbook & NYS Compliance Review, update, and maintain the agency Employee Handbook and all HR-related policies and procedures in accordance with New York State labor law, including wage and hour laws, paid leave requirements, workplace safety, and employee protections. Ensure compliance with NYS-specific requirements such as paid sick leave, paid family leave, harassment prevention training, mandatory postings, and recordkeeping. Monitor changes in NYS and federal employment law and proactively update policies and practices accordingly. Ensure consistent, fair application of HR policies across all departments.
• Onboarding, Training & Organizational Culture Assess, redesign, and implement a comprehensive onboarding system and structure that meets compliance requirements and supports staff success across all departments. Ensure all staff receive clear historical context, cultural orientation, and best-practice guidance to be successful within People USA’s mission, values, and departmental structures. Work directly with the COO to lead and support the agency’s Training Committee. Ensure required trainings are completed in accordance with NYS mandate and agency best practices. Collaborate with department leaders to identify training needs and support ongoing professional development.
• Systems & Interdepartmental Coordination Ensure effective interdepartmental HR systems and processes are in place, documented, and consistently implemented. Partner with department leaders to improve workflows related to hiring, onboarding, training, and staff lifecycle management. Strengthen internal people systems to support organizational growth, compliance, and accountability.
• Benefits Administration Oversee all employee benefits, including health insurance, retirement plans, paid leave programs, and other benefit offerings. Manage benefits enrollment and administration in compliance with NYS requirements, including Paid Family Leave. Serve as the primary liaison with benefits brokers and vendors. Ensure staff receive clear, timely communication regarding benefits and enrollment processes.
• Payroll & Financial Collaboration Collaborate closely with the Finance Department to ensure accurate and compliant payroll processing. Ensure staff are correctly classified and charged to appropriate departments, funding sources, and cost centers. Ensure payroll systems are updated to reflect staffing changes, departmental assignments, and NYS wage and hour requirements. Support audits and reporting related to payroll, benefits, and labor compliance.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director