Director of Employee Relations

Position: Director of Employee Relations

Department: People Services / Human Resources

Reports To: Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO)

Direct Reports: None

Status: Full-Time, Exempt

Salary: $150K/Annually

ABOUT HOMEFIRST

Established in 1980, HomeFirst™ is a nonprofit organization passionately working to end homelessness. We serve the Bay Area community through low-barrier programming and systems leadership – meeting each person where they are by offering support and resources that address immediate and long-term housing needs. With nearly 45 years of experience, we view housing as a fundamental human right and understand that solving homelessness requires a collaborative effort.

OUR VALUES

• Kindness: We act with empathy toward others.
• Passion: We ignite change to fulfill our mission.
• Excellence: We deliver exceptional service to our communities.

POSITION OVERVIEW

The Director of Employee Relations provides strategic and operational leadership for employee relations, workplace investigations, HR compliance, and people risk mitigation. This role serves as a trusted advisor to leadership, managers, and the People Services team, ensuring fair, consistent, legally compliant, and value-aligned people practices across the agency.

The ER Director will design and execute a coordinated employee relations approach, leading complex employee matters. This role is highly collaborative, partnering closely with Director of Human Resources, Director of Talent Development, and the CHRO on case strategy, and alignment with broader people operations.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

Employee Relations Leadership

Lead all employee relations strategy, including consultation on performance management, corrective action, conflict resolution, and workplace conduct.

Serve as the escalation point for complex, high-risk, or sensitive employee relations matters.

Work closely with Dir of HR and Dir of Talent Development (TD) on coaching managers and leaders with effective, legally compliant people management practices.

Ensure consistency and equity in the application of corrective action and disciplinary processes.

Investigations Oversight

Oversee all workplace investigations, including harassment, discrimination, retaliation, misconduct, and policy violations.

Conduct investigations personally when appropriate; otherwise assign, guide, and review investigations led by other assigned HR staff.

Ensure investigations are timely, neutral, trauma-informed, well-documented, and compliant with California and federal law.

Review findings, recommend outcomes, and partner with CHRO and leadership on resolution strategies.

Compliance & Risk Management

Support and partner with Dir of HR and Dir of TD to proactively identify patterns, training needs and policy improvements that reduce risk exposure.

Identify, assess, and mitigate people-related risk across the organization.

Collaborate with internal program compliance and risk assessment colleagues.

Partner with Legal Counsel, insurance carriers, and external investigators as needed.

Support responses to agency complaints, claims, audits, and regulatory inquiries.

Policy Development

Coordinate closely with the Dir of HR in the development, revision, and interpretation of HR policies and procedures.

Help ensure policies are legally compliant, practical for frontline operations, and aligned with organizational values.

Support Dir of TD and Strategic Comms staff with training and communications work related to policy changes

Leadership & Collaboration

Collaborate closely with Dir of HR, Dir of TD and broader People Services team to support consistent, aligned people practices.

Contribute to broader People Services strategy, including culture, training, and organizational effectiveness initiatives.

Support the CHRO in Board-level or executive reporting related to workforce risk and compliance trends.

COMPETENCIES

• Excellence: Commits to high achievement by setting personal standards of excellence, driving results, and continuously improving performance while fostering team success and organizational goals.
• Collaboration: Works effectively to build strong relationships, foster open communication, and create a cohesive and high-performing team.
• Diversity & Inclusion: Cultivates an inclusive environment that values and respects the social identities of all individuals, creating space for authenticity and equity.
• Managing Performance: Ensures team goals are met by proactively addressing concerns, providing guidance, and fostering accountability to achieve desired outcomes.
• Empowering & Developing Others: Delegates authority confidently, provides the freedom for individual styles, and offers recognition and constructive feedback to develop team members effectively.
• Managing Change: Leads teams through organizational shifts by positively guiding others, encouraging adaptability, and aligning priorities with the agency’s mission.
• Risk Management: Evaluates and mitigates risks in operational and strategic areas, prioritizes safety, and raises concerns to address potential issues proactively.
• Technical Expertise: Maintains a high level of skill and knowledge relevant to the role, staying adaptable and current in their field.
• Customer Service: Understands the needs and goals of both internal and external stakeholders, working collaboratively to achieve mutually beneficial outcomes.
• Planning and Organizing: Develops and adheres to efficient workflows, ensuring deadlines and processes are streamlined for maximum effectiveness.
• Critical Thinking: Approaches challenges with a logical, systematic, and thoughtful methodology to effectively navigate complex situations and make informed decisions.

BENEFITS

HomeFirst provides comprehensive benefits, including 100% employer-paid medical, dental, and vision coverage and additional wellness options like chiropractic care, mental health support, pet insurance, and an Employee Assistance Program. We offer a 401(k)-retirement plan with generous matching, life and disability insurance, flexible spending accounts, commuter benefits, and workers’ compensation. Employees enjoy 12 holidays, sick leave, and PTO starting at 15 days annually, increasing with tenure, plus 8 hours of civic engagement leave annually to volunteer.

ORGANIZATIONAL EQUITY STATEMENT

At HomeFirst, diversity, equity, and inclusion guide our services, workplace, and decisions. Recognizing housing as a social justice issue, we prioritize equitable practices, honor lived experiences and uphold dignity for all. By fostering belonging, accountability, and continuous improvement, we embed DEI values in our processes, recruitment, and leadership, striving for excellence at every level.

HomeFirst is proud to be an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action employer and considers qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, veteran status, or any other status protected by law. We also consider qualified applicants with criminal histories consistent with applicable federal, state, and local law. Additionally, HomeFirst participates in the E-Verify program, as required by law.

HomeFirst is committed to providing reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities and disabled veterans in our job application process. If you need assistance or accommodation due to a disability, please let your recruiter know.

QUALIFICATIONS (YOU HAVE)

Required:

Bachelor’s degree in human resources, a related field, or applicable work experience.

Minimum of 7–10 years of progressive HR experience, with significant focus on employee relations and investigations.

Deep knowledge of California employment law and HR compliance.

Demonstrated experience leading complex workplace investigations.

Strong judgment, discretion, and ability to manage sensitive situations.

Preferred:

SHRM-CP/SCP, SPHR, or similar certification.

Experience in nonprofit, human services, healthcare, or public-facing organizations.

Training in trauma-informed or restorative investigation practices.