Director of HR Administration

The Organization

Legal Aid at Work (LAAW) partners with people to help them understand and assert their workplace rights, and advocates for employment laws and systems that empower low-paid workers and marginalized communities.

LAAW has seven core program areas: (1) Community Legal Services; (2) Disability Rights; (3) Gender Equity & LGBTQ Rights; (4) National Origin and Immigrants’ Rights; (5) Racial Economic Justice; (6) Wage Protection; and (7) Work & Family. Through these programs, LAAW:

  • Provides free, individualized legal advice and counsel throughout California to thousands of low-income workers;
  • Pursues targeted enforcement and impact litigation to strengthen and clarify the law;
  • Conducts community outreach and education for workers, their advocates, their families, and their health and social service providers; and
  • Advocates for laws, regulations, and policies at the local, state, and national levels to strengthen civil and workplace rights.

As a social justice organization, Legal Aid at Work’s mission is rooted in the firm belief that all people deserve respect, dignity, and self-determination at work, at school, and in their communities. Structural and systemic racism—with the oppression of Black and Indigenous people at its core—and other forms of injustice shape the society and the civic, political, and legal systems in which we work and live. Legal Aid at Work is committed to developing and nurturing an organizational culture that will dismantle systems of oppression, uplift people from underrepresented communities, and create a workplace that is truly equitable and inclusive. As such, we strongly encourage BIPOC candidates and those with lived experiences and low-income workers to apply.

Summary

Reporting to the VP of HR, the Director of HR Administration will play a leadership role in overseeing critical areas of human resources management, including benefits, payroll, compliance, and employee relations. As a member of the Management team, the Director of HR Administration will partner with the VP of HR to set departmental strategy and priorities, ensuring that the HR function remains responsive to the needs of the organization, while also planning proactively to address future needs and growth.

This position represents an opportunity to join an organization and a team operating at the forefront of some of the most pressing issues facing low-wage workers in California. As such, the Director of HR Administration role requires expertise in various facets of HR, along with a deep commitment to supporting LAAW’s staff in the execution of our mission.

Responsibilities

Benefits and Payroll

  • Research and negotiate benefits with appropriate vendors/service providers, maintaining vendor relationships as needed
  • Communicate with staff about benefits updates and changes, providing timely responses to questions and requests
  • Oversee, analyze, and approve all forms of leave requests; manage any required communication with the EDD or other relevant government entities
  • Oversee the bi-weekly collection of timesheets and manage payroll processing in partnership with the Senior HR and Accounting Manager
  • Partner with the VP of HR to conduct necessary compensation surveys and ensure accurate placement on LAAW’s salary grids

Employee Relations

  • Act as main point of contact for employee concerns or complaints as they arise; elevate issues to the VP of HR as needed
  • Partner with the VP of HR to update the Employee Handbook and personnel policies; lead and participate in policy creation and updates
  • Manage and execute all feedback and performance-related processes, including performance improvement plans

HR Compliance and Operations

  • Ensure compliance with all local, state, and federal employment and labor laws
  • Design and implement protocols and procedures for effective records management and ensure they are maintained and updated regularly
  • Ensure that all HR processes, policies, and procedures are accurately documented, maintained, and communicated to staff
  • Support the VP of HR in ensuring compliance with the Collective Bargaining Agreement

Leadership

  • Manage the HR Associate and supervise approximately 25% of the Senior HR and Accounting Manager’s work as it relates to payroll and retirement plan management
  • Recommend and make hiring and promotion decisions, as needed
  • Provide regular feedback to direct reports on their performance; request consistent feedback from the team to foster a healthy culture of continuous learning and development
  • As a member of the Management team, participate in broader organizational strategic discussions and decisions

Requirements

The following list of core competencies and experiences is provided to share insight into the requirements of the role and the general level of experience we seek in candidates. We encourage all qualified candidates and those with relevant or transferable experience to apply, even if you do not bring experience in all of the areas noted below.

Above all else, LAAW seeks a Director of HR Administration who brings substantive human resources and employee relations experience, combined with an ability to lead with humanity and humility. The ideal candidate will be well versed in a range of human resources programs, including benefits, payroll, and compliance. Candidates may be based anywhere in the U.S.

  • Commitment to social justice and civil rights work; a passion for Legal Aid at Work’s mission of seeking justice for low-wage workers
  • Minimum of eight years of relevant HR, employee relations, or broader operational experience
  • Proven experience managing people and expertise in employee development and performance management
  • Ability to set strategy and priorities and collaborate cross-functionally
  • Demonstrated track record in organizational change management and accountability initiatives
  • Highly responsive, supportive, and proactive communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to manage through conflict with empathy
  • Ability to use tact and diplomacy when dealing with sensitive issues and to maintain confidentiality
  • A commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion and the ability to hold and foster difficult and necessary conversations about sex, race, color, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, and other protected categories
  • The ability to travel as necessary within or to California.

Compensation

Legal Aid at Work offers salaries that are competitive in the public interest law community. Benefits include health plans, long-term disability and life insurance, 403(b) retirement plan, and generous paid vacation and holidays. The salary range for this position is $124,800 to $187,200 depending on years of relevant experience.

To Apply

All applications must include: (1) a cover letter explaining your interest in this position and the ways in which you satisfy the qualifications specified above, (2) a resume, and (3) three professional references. All application materials should be submitted to:

Director of HR Administration Search Committee

Email:  jobs@legalaidatwork.org

Legal Aid at Work is committed to a diverse, multicultural work environment. LAAW is an equal opportunity, fair chance, and affirmative action employer. Our complete EEO and DEI statements as well as further information concerning the organization and its programs can be found at www.legalaidatwork.org.  Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, Legal Aid at Work will consider qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records for employment.