Director of Human Resources

About SHF: Founded in 1969, Settlement Housing Fund is a nonprofit affordable housing organization. We own and operate 3,147 affordable apartments across New York City and are currently creating and preserving additional 3,031 apartments. We provide social services through on site support to ensure housing stability for tenants who have transitioned from shelters into permanent housing at our buildings and those of other owners. We serve as an HDFC nominee to provide private developers with access to City financing to expand the supply of affordable housing. We are a leader in tenant selection and affirmative fair housing, leasing hundreds of units annually for other affordable housing owners. 

JOB SUMMARY:  

The Director of Human Resources functions as a senior strategic leader and trusted advisor to executive leadership and department heads, while maintaining direct oversight of the organization’s human resources operations. This position blends the traditional responsibilities of an HR Director with those of an HR Business Partner, ensuring HR strategy is fully aligned with organizational goals, culture, and operational needs as the organization continues to grow. 

Reporting to the Chief Operating Officer, the Director of Human Resources is responsible for providing leadership across all HR functions, including employee relations, talent management, performance management, compensation and benefits, payroll, compliance, and organizational development, while acting as a consultative partner to leadership on workforce planning, change management, and people related decision making. 

In this capacity, the Director of Human Resources is responsible for serving as the Director of HR for both Settlement Housing Fund (SHF) and its affiliate, New Settlement. As both organizations expand in size, complexity, and scope, the Director of Human Resources is responsible for building scalable HR and payroll systems, policies, and practices that support sustainable growth, operational efficiency, and a consistent employee experience. 

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: 

Strategic HR Leadership and Business Partnership 

• Serve as a strategic thought partner to the COO, President, Executive Director of New Settlement, and senior leadership teams on workforce strategy, organizational design, and people related initiatives. 

• In collaboration with the COO, establish and evaluate short and long term goals, objectives, policies, and operating procedures for the Human Resources department to support organizational priorities and growth. 

• Act as an HR Business Partner to department leaders by providing guidance on employee relations, performance management, team development, succession planning, and workforce planning. 

• Translate organizational goals into people strategies that support growth, equity, and operational effectiveness. 

• Analyze HR metrics and workforce data to identify trends, risks, and opportunities, and recommend data informed solutions. 

• Support leaders through organizational change, growth, and increased complexity, including department expansion and evolving leadership structures. 

Human Resources Operations and Compliance 

• Direct and oversee all core HR functions, including recruitment, onboarding, payroll coordination, benefits administration, leave management, performance management, and employee relations. 

• Oversee the organization’s payroll function, ensuring accurate, timely, and compliant payroll processing in coordination with Finance and external vendors.  

• Ensure compliance with all applicable federal, state, and local employment laws and regulations. 

• Oversee HR policies, procedures, and employee handbook updates to ensure consistency, compliance, and best practices. 

• Partner with General Counsel and senior leadership on sensitive employee relations matters, investigations, and corrective actions. 

Talent Management and Organizational Development 

• Lead organization wide talent strategies, including recruitment, workforce planning, onboarding, training, performance evaluation, leadership development, and professional advancement. 

• Support managers in building strong, accountable teams through coaching, feedback, and performance improvement planning. 

• Oversee and continuously improve performance management processes to ensure alignment with organizational values and goals. 

• Support culture building initiatives that reinforce equity, inclusion, engagement, accountability, and retention as the organization continues to grow. 

Compensation, Benefits and HR Systems 

• Oversee compensation and benefits administration, including salary structures, benefits plans, retirement plans, and annual renewals, in collaboration with Finance and external vendors. 

• Ensure HRIS, payroll, and personnel records are maintained accurately, securely, and in compliance with regulatory requirements, with strict adherence to confidentiality and data integrity. 

• Lead the evaluation and continuous improvement of HR and payroll systems and workflows to support increased scale, reporting needs, and operational efficiency. 

• Lead and support internal and external audits related to payroll, benefits, and HR compliance, and implement corrective actions as needed. 

Team Leadership and Cross Functional Collaboration 

• Lead, mentor, and develop HR staff, ensuring clear roles, accountability, and professional growth. 

• Build HR team capacity and recommend staffing, structure, or external resources to support organizational growth. 

• Collaborate cross functionally with Operations, Finance, and program leadership to ensure HR practices support operational and financial needs. 

• Provide regular reporting and updates to senior leadership and, as needed, the Board of Directors on HR strategy, workforce metrics, and initiatives. 

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE:  

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Organizational Development, or a related field; Master’s degree preferred.  

• Minimum of seven (7) years of progressive human resources experience, including senior level leadership responsibility. 

• Experience in human resources leadership within mission‑driven, nonprofit organizations of similar size and complexity is strongly preferred.

• Demonstrated experience providing strategic and operational HR leadership in organizations with increasing scale, complexity, or multi entity structures.  

• Advanced knowledge of employment laws and regulations, including wage and hour, FMLA, FLSA, COBRA, leave administration, and related compliance requirements.  

• Advanced knowledge of best practices in performance management and progressive discipline. 

• Advanced knowledge of payroll administration, timekeeping standards, and applicable payroll regulations.  

• Strong knowledge of employee benefits administration, including retirement plans (403(b)/401(k)), health insurance, disability, and related programs.  

• Experience overseeing HRIS, personnel records management, records retention, confidentiality, and data integrity.  

• Demonstrated ability to analyze HR, payroll, and budgetary data using spreadsheet and reporting tools to inform decision making.  

• Proven ability to manage departmental budgets and partner effectively with Finance and Operations.  

• Demonstrated ability to lead, mentor, and manage professional and intermediate level staff.  

• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple, complex deadlines and competing priorities.  

• Demonstrated independent problem solving skills and ability to operate with a high degree of autonomy and sound judgment.  

• Excellent interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills, with the ability to influence and advise senior leaders.  

• SHRMSCP, SPHR, or equivalent professional certification preferred 

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT: 

Physical Demands: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations will be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this job. 

• The ability to sit, stand, walk and use hands and fingers to operate a computer keyboard, mouse, and telephone to talk and hear. 

• The ability to frequently sit and reach with hands and arms. 

• The ability to occasionally lift and/or move up to 20 pounds. 

Working Conditions: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of the job. Reasonable accommodations will be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job. 

• Must be able to utilize office equipment such as desktop/notebook computers, copiers, printers, scanners, telephones, and calculators. 

• The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. 

NOTICE: The above statements are intended to describe the general nature of the environment and level of work being performed by this job. This job description in no way states or implies that the duties and responsibilities listed are the only tasks to be performed by the employee in this job. The employee will be required to follow any other instructions and to perform any other job related duties requested by their supervisor. This job description supersedes prior job descriptions. When duties and responsibilities change and develop, the job description will be reviewed and subject to changes in business necessity. 

Settlement Housing Fund, Inc. is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer, and considers qualified applicants without regard to race, color, creed, religion, ancestry, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, veteran status or any other protected factor under federal, state or local law. 

This job description indicates in general the nature and levels of work, knowledge, skills, abilities, and other essential functions expected of an employee. It is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities required of you as an employee. You may be asked to perform other duties as required.  

Salary : $135,000 - $150,000