Director of Human Resources

Position Summary

The Director of Human Resources provides strategic leadership and hands-on management of the organization’s workforce planning, alignment, and culture to support our strategic direction. This role manages all aspects of the human resources function, including recruiting, retaining, and developing high-performing year-round, seasonal, and temporary staff.

The Director oversees health and welfare benefits, compensation and payroll administration, employee relations, policy development, and regulatory compliance. Directing a lean team, the Director supervises one direct report, the HR & Payroll Coordinator, and works with our Benefits Broker and Benefit Carriers to ensure data integrity, administrative accuracy, and smooth operational workflows.

Partnering closely with the Chief Finance and Administrative Officer and the Chief Executive Officer, the Director champions an organizational culture that deeply values diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging.

Major Accountabilities

Strategic Leadership & Culture

• Develop and execute strategic HR plans, including long-term staffing, succession planning, and retention strategies.
• Partner with leadership to enhance an organizational culture that promotes a healthy, inclusive, and high-performing work environment.
• Promotes inclusion and belonging across all operations.

Departmental Management & Employee Relations

• Provide direct supervision, coaching, and performance management for the HR & Payroll Coordinator.
• Act as the senior lead on complex employee relations matters, conducting thorough investigations into grievances or complaints and preparing summary reports.
• Serve as an accessible, trusted resource for staff and managers to resolve workplace conflicts and foster high morale.

Talent Acquisition & Development

• Direct comprehensive recruitment, onboarding, and placement efforts for all year-round, seasonal, temporary, and intern positions.
• Oversee the performance management program, training managers in coaching, feedback techniques, and formal evaluations.
• Design training, mentoring, and work with Senior leadership on professional development to support career progression and organizational growth.

Compensation, Payroll & Benefits

• Partner with Finance to ensure seamless communication regarding payroll, payroll tax administration, and benefits management.
• Oversee timely data entry into the HRIS and tracking systems for payroll, benefits, camp staffing, leaves, transfers, and separations.
• Analyze regional and national salary surveys to recommend strategies that align with the organization's compensation philosophy.
• Manage HR-related billing, benefit administration, and COBRA payments efficiently.
• Partner with the 401(k) plan third-party administrator (TPA) to fulfill all plan compliance requirements and ensure all 401(k)-related tasks, including contribution and eligibility updates, are completed accurately and in a timely manner following each payroll.
• Prepare, validate, and submit required employee and plan census reports accurately and by established deadlines for benefits, 401(k) compliance testing, audits, and regulatory reporting.

Compliance & Administration

• Maintain oversight of allInterpret, administer, and update personnel policies, ensuring alignment with changing labor laws and best practices.
• Guarantee full compliance with all local, state, and federal employment regulations (including EEO classifications and workers' compensation).
• Administer federal and Connecticut family and medical leave programs, including employee notices, eligibility and designation determinations, medical certifications,
• leave tracking, coordination with CT Paid Leave and other applicable benefits, return-to-work requirements, and confidential recordkeeping. secure personnel records, ensuring strict confidentiality.

Skills and Competencies

Experience & Education

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Organizational Development, or a related field preferred.
• Minimum of 5+ years of progressive human resources management experience, with heavy emphasis on employee relations.
• Proven track record working with senior leaders.
• Prior experience in non-profit environments, particularly managing mixed year-round and seasonal/temporary staff models, is highly preferred.
• SHRM-CP / SHRM-SCP certification is highly preferred.

Tech & Systems Knowledge

• Hands-on proficiency with UKG is preferred.
• Advanced capability with HRIS systems, digital benefit portals, computer information systems, and data tracking workflows.

Core Attributes & Skills

• Expertise in state and federal employment law, training and development, and benefits management.
• Experience in budget development, budget administration, and payroll oversight.
• Excellent written, oral, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Strong mediation, conflict resolution, and organizational abilities.

Additional Job Requirements and Physical Demands

• Ability and willingness to travel throughout Connecticut as needed.
• Visit council locations to support Human Resources operations and organizational initiatives.
• Engage with employees, contractors, vendors, volunteers, and other key stakeholders.
• Maintain a visible and accessible HR presence across council locations.
• Support organizational priorities through in-person meetings, collaboration, and relationship-building.
• Must carry and show proof of liability coverage of personal vehicle.
• Ability to lift, carry, push, pull, or move objects up to 25 lbs.
• Active participation in Product Sales initiatives.

Role Overview

The Director of Human Resources serves as a strategic and hands-on leader responsible for workforce planning, culture development, and comprehensive HR management. This role oversees the entire employee lifecycle—including recruitment, retention, and professional development—for year-round, seasonal, and temporary staff.

Working closely with executive leadership, the Director champions organizational diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging while aligning HR practices with the broader strategic goals of the organization.

Key Responsibilities & Management

In this position, you will direct all core human resources functions, such as compensation, payroll administration, health and welfare benefits, employee relations, policy development, and regulatory compliance. Managing a lean team that includes an HR & Payroll Coordinator, you will also collaborate with external brokers and carriers to ensure administrative accuracy and smooth operations.

This is a vital leadership role partnering with the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Finance and Administrative Officer to foster a high-performing and supportive workplace culture.