Senior Human Resource Manager

Ella Baker Center for Human Rights•Oakland, CA

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The Ella Baker Center for Human Rights (EBC) is seeking a Senior Human Resources Manager to support the development and implementation of HR strategies. This role is crucial in fostering a workplace culture aligned with EBC's mission, vision, and values, ensuring an optimal employee experience. The Senior Human Resources Manager will be responsible for creating strategies, systems, and processes that drive growth and uphold the organization's core principles. As part of the Administrative Team, this position will assist leadership in ensuring EBC has the necessary people, systems, and processes to achieve its goals and make an impact. Key functions include recruitment, retention, performance management, professional development, compensation and benefits, and employee engagement. The role requires expertise in California employment law and labor relations, ensuring compliance and consistent policy application. It also involves leading the implementation of collective bargaining agreements, translating contract provisions into organizational systems and practices.

Requirements

Must be able to remain in a stationary position at least 50% of the time.
Needs to be able to move about inside the office to access file cabinets, office machinery, etc.
Constantly operates a computer and other office productivity machinery, such as a calculator, copy machine, and printer.
This position needs to be able to use a telephone and communicate with staff, vendors and other members of the public.
Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Organizational Development, or a related field preferred; SHRM-CP, PHR, or equivalent certification a plus.
Minimum of 5–7 years of Human Resources experience, including employee relations, compliance, and HR processes.
Working knowledge of office productivity software (MS Office Suite) is required.
Working knowledge of California employment law and employment regulations.
Experience supporting employee relations matters, federal law, conflict resolution and performance management.
Experience with payroll systems preferred-QuickBooks a plus.
Experience in customer service or account management is a plus.
Ability to multitask and handle competing demands; prioritize and manage focus and productivity effectively; ability to manage time and meet deadlines.
Ability to work independently and demonstrate strong initiative and leadership.
Excellent writing, editing, proofing and verbal skills.
Ability to handle confidential and sensitive information with sound judgment and discretion.
High level of interpersonal skills to handle time-sensitive and confidential situations with professionalism.
Superior organizational skills, and the ability to create, implement, and maintain systems to improve the efficiency of the office.
Ability to work independently and demonstrate initiative.
Proficiency in Mac interfaces and all Microsoft Office applications.
Familiarity with and commitment to racial and social justice; a clear understanding of EBC’s mission and programs.
Expertise in employment law, HR compliance, and labor relations.
Employee relations and conflict resolution, including the ability to navigate sensitive and complex workplace situations with sound judgment and discretion.
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to assess complex issues and make informed, data-driven decisions.
Organizational and project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and ensure follow-through.
Clear and effective communication skills, both written and verbal, with the ability to communicate across all levels of staff.
Ability to maintain confidentiality and handle sensitive information with professionalism and integrity.
Relationship-building and collaboration skills, with the ability to work effectively across teams and support managers.
Adaptability and comfort working in a fast-paced, evolving nonprofit environment.

Nice To Haves

Nonprofit experience
Bilingual skills

Responsibilities

Manage the administration of human resource programs including HRIS, compensation, benefits, and leaves.
Provide proactive leadership and professional expertise in all areas of human resources management, including benefits, payroll, employee relations, compliance, and performance for full-time employees and contractors.
Maintain knowledge of trends, best practices, regulatory changes, and new technologies in human resources, talent management, and employment law to ensure regulatory compliance.
Research, develop, and implement competitive compensation, benefits, performance appraisal, and employee incentive programs, including compensation benchmarking.
Audit, review, refine, and ensure individual and collective accountability to Ella Baker Center’s policies, procedures, and processes.
Support organizational leaders and managers with training and organization-wide staffing strategy, ensuring clear hiring goals and varied recruitment strategies.
Work with managers to help define, establish, and communicate annual goals for team members, and ensure managers track progress against goals.
Support the organizational strategic planning process around human resource management, talent acquisition, compliance, risk management, and fiscal accountability.
Collaborate with the Administrative Team to identify and manage consultants for organizational initiatives focused on culture, wellness, and engagement.
Serve as the primary internal advisor to leadership on complex HR, compliance, and employee relations matters.
Lead the implementation of collective bargaining agreement provisions across organizational systems and practices.
Identify gaps between current practices and legal or contractual requirements and implement solutions to ensure alignment.
Formulate and recommend personnel policies, procedures, and objectives to the senior management team.
Determine and recommend employee engagement practices necessary to establish a positive employer-employee relationship and promote high staff engagement.
Create systems to collect and review staff feedback and conduct internal reviews for organizational learning and improvement.
Work with staff and managers to foster an environment that is welcoming and centers Ella Baker Center’s values.
Coordinate management training in interviewing, hiring, terminations, performance management, safety, sexual harassment, and other relevant programs.
Assist managers with facilitating employee relations conversations of a sensitive nature, helping to resolve conflicts or disputes.
Provide guidance to managers on handling sensitive employee relations matters consistently, equitably, and legally.
Communicate and ensure all staff individually and collectively follow and are accountable to Ella Baker Center’s policies and procedures.
Monitor and address inconsistencies in policy enforcement to reduce organizational risk.
Ensure compliance with all employment laws and continually research and implement best practices for recruitment and hiring processes.
Evaluate recruitment processes, report findings, and make recommendations for improvements based on data, outcomes, and organizational needs.
Serve as a trusted advisor to hiring managers to support informed recruiting decisions and effective onboarding.
Support the development and implementation of onboarding practices that promote staff retention and long-term success.
Facilitate recruitment efforts including updating job descriptions, posting new positions, and scheduling interviews.
Co-develop and refine performance evaluation processes to enable managers to provide meaningful and actionable reviews.
Collaborate with managers to develop systems and strategies to support ongoing staff and professional development.
Identify training opportunities to drive increased impact, ensuring team members can address development needs, attend conferences, and participate in other courses and convenings.
Oversee and coordinate onboarding processes to ensure all administrative and system access needs are completed prior to or on an employee’s start date.
Serve as point person for documenting grievances, disciplinary processes, and internal investigations.
Ensure compliance with workplace laws, claims, and regulations, including discrimination and employment-related claims.
Serve as the primary contact for benefits providers and support benefits administration, negotiating rates and overseeing payments.
Ensure regular review, updates, and implementation of the Employee Handbook and Onboarding Guide.
Serve as a backup administrator with Finance for payroll and retirement plan administration.
Support with internal and external audits (workers comp, 403b, and financial audits).
Assist the Finance team with processing payroll.
Manage the employee Resiliency and Wellness Program.
Manage and troubleshoot phone and email access – contract renewals, administrative contract renewals.
Ensure the functioning, ordering, and maintenance of office equipment.
Serve as a co-liaison for IT setup and administrative support.