Director of Human Resources and Employee Relations - MidPen Housing Corporation

WHY MIDPEN

At MidPen, we build communities that change lives. Since 1970, we have been committed to our mission: to provide safe, affordable housing of high quality to those in need; establish stability and opportunity in the lives of residents; and foster diverse communities that allow people from all ethnic, social, and economic backgrounds to live in dignity, harmony, and mutual respect.

We develop affordable housing, provide professional property management for all our communities, and coordinate robust onsite support programs that help residents thrive. We are active in 12 Northern California counties and have earned recognition as one of the nation’s leading non-profit developers and stewards of affordable housing. Our current portfolio of more than 130 properties is home to 20,000 working families, seniors, and people with special needs. We take pride in delivering affordable housing solutions, and we invite you to join us on a journey toward social, economic, and racial equity.

BENEFITS AND COMPENSATION

In 2023, MidPen was again certified as an official Great Place to Work®, and for good reason! In addition, we offer a best-in-class benefit package that includes healthcare options (Kaiser or Sutter), dental, vision, life & disability insurance. We also offer a wide range of voluntary benefits; 403(b) retirement investment opportunity and annual financial literacy and retirement planning options, FSA for childcare, medical and commuter benefit options, Employee Assistance program and pet insurance for our furry, feathered, and scaled friends. In addition to 14 paid company holidays, which include a paid winter holiday break between Christmas and the New Year, we offer 4 paid wellness days for employees to disconnect and recharge. As a learning organization, we encourage professional development and career advancement, and we offer up to $3,000 annually ($12,000 lifetime maximum) for education assistance with tuition reimbursement and/or loan debt relief that includes qualified family members. And, as a family-friendly company, we offer a paid time off parental leave benefit of 12 weeks in a 12-month period for new or expecting parents. Check out our benefits snapshot on our careers page.

PAY RANGE

$150,000 – $185,000 Annual Salary - Pay based on applicable experience and qualifications

POSITION OVERVIEW

The Director of Human Resources and Employee Relations coordinates implementation of services, policies, and programs through Human Resources staff; reports to the Senior Vice President of Human Resources and assists and advises company managers about human resources issues. Responsible for the delivery of HR services and products for all employees, both at the Central office location, as well as all satellite and property locations. Acts as HR functional lead in a variety of areas including Performance Management and Policy development and implementation.

The Director of Human Resources and Employee Relations will need to understand the business and operational model of MidPen and contribute to both the short- and long-term plans of the organization accordingly. This role needs to be a knowledgeable and respected individual who can communicate and influence various levels of the organization. The Director of Human Resources & Employee Relations also will be expected to be a strong leader, communicator, and motivator to the entire MidPen workforce. They will need to be consistently visible in the organization (both at HQ’s and in the field).

This is a hybrid position, based on current MidPen policy of working Tuesdays and Thursdays in the office.

Office Locations: (Coastal, East Bay, Union City, Foster City, North Bay)

ESSENTIAL DUTIES

Organizational Development

• This position plays an essential role in all organizational development initiatives to support Company growth and change
• Leverage workforce data & analytics to identify business needs and improvement opportunities
• Lead and conduct employee engagement survey and Company participation in the Great Place to Work program
• Oversee all other actions to gather employee feedback including pulse surveys, focus groups and exit interviews among others

Performance Management

• Manage the Company’s performance management system which revolves around a learning focus and consists of frequent feedback and planning cycles
• Launch quarterly check-ins and manage staff messaging
• Partner with Learning & Development team to incorporate learning objectives into performance plans that leverage company training programs
• Drive continuous improvement to this essential program that links all employees to Company goals and Mission

Employee Relations

• This position provides companywide leadership and insight on complex employee relations issues. Advises on matters with potential risk related to supervision of direct reports and provides consultation and guidance to managers in the areas of coaching and counseling of their reports. Partners with internal legal counsel where necessary
• Oversees the preparation of comprehensive investigation reports which include recommendations for complaint resolution
• Proactively identifies and communicates employment and workplace trends (internally and externally)
• Conducts ongoing analysis of employee relations data to identify trends and determine levels of staff satisfaction to partner, create and develop programs and initiatives that will support strategic efforts to create an ideal work environment

Business Partner Function

• Act as the Business Partner to various departments/teams in the organization
• Aligns business objectives with employees and management and serves as a consultant to management on human resources-related issues
• Maintain regular meetings with respective business units
• Guides management and employee actions by researching, developing, writing, and updating policies, procedures, methods, and guidelines, communicating, and enforcing organizational values
• Consults with line management, providing guidance when appropriate
• Analyzes trends and metrics in partnership with the Human Resources team to develop solutions, programs, and policies
• Maintains in-depth knowledge of legal requirements related to day-to-day management of employees, reducing legal risks, and ensuring regulatory compliance
• Provides day-to-day performance management guidance to line management (coaching, counseling, career development, disciplinary actions)
• System administrator for Performance Management tool
• Provides guidance and input on business unit restructures, workforce planning and succession planning
• Identifies training needs for business units and individual executive coaching needs
• Maintains confidentiality of all employee records and files and ensures all required employee documents are complete, orderly, and timely
• Serves as liaison for employees and managers responding to questions and inquiries related to employment regulations and policies. As needed, interprets, and explains policies and regulations
• Supports management by providing human resources coaching, counseling, and advice on sensitive employee relations situations
• Guides management and employee actions by researching, developing, writing, and updating policies, procedures, methods, and guidelines, communicating, and enforcing organization values.
• Complies with Federal, state, and local legal requirements by studying existing and new legislation, anticipating legislation, enforcing adherence to requirements, advising management on needed actions
• Updates job knowledge by participating in conferences and educational opportunities, reading professional publications, maintaining personal networks, participating in professional organizations
• Serves as liaison for employees and managers responding to questions and inquiries related to employment regulations and policies
• Interprets and explains policies and regulations.
• Partners with Director, Learning & Development to conduct in house training for management team regarding human resources policies, procedures and practices, human resources, human resources issues and provide regular management development opportunities
• Oversees management, maintenance and security of employee records and files assuring all necessary documents are completed in a timely manner and securely maintained in an orderly fashion and in compliance with Organization policies, State and Federal guidelines
• Assure confidentiality of all employee records and files assuring that all required employee documents are complete, orderly and timely
• Develop, document, implement and maintain organization HR policy and procedures. Oversee orientation to all employees and assure compliance with policy and procedure
• Oversee/monitor performance evaluation process to assure that appraisals are complete timely, equitable and legal manner
• In collaboration with management, approves involuntary terminations. Coach managers, meets with employee and manager, oversees the termination meeting, and participates as needed.
• Manages the document process assuring proper completion and distribution of all documents related to termination process
• Proactively assesses and manages risk associated with all employee actions
• Performs other assignments as requested

QUALIFICATIONS

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential function satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required.

Education and Experience

• 4-year degree or equivalent of 7-10 years related experience and/or training, or an equivalent combination of education and experience

Knowledge, Skills, and Experience

• Ability to read, analyze, and interpret common legal documents
• Ability to respond to inquiries, complaints, regulatory agencies, or business community
• Act as a role model within and outside the organization
• Demonstrates flexible and efficient time management and ability to prioritize workload
• Ability to foster teamwork, excellent people skills, excels at building relationships
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills that is effective at all levels of the organization. Ability to represent the organization externally, in an articulate and knowledgeable manner
• Strong working knowledge of local, state and federal laws pertaining to employment and employment practices. Experience in working with legal advisors on wrongful terminations, screening rights, workers compensation and unemployment and appeal claims.
• Specific understanding of legal and compliance regulations for non-profit organizations is highly desirable
• Working knowledge of HR information systems, and an aptitude to participate in IT initiatives that require interface to HR systems
• Ability to seek out and apply appropriate technology solutions that enhance the effectiveness of HR management
• Experience in both the “for-profit” and “not-for-profit” sectors, is desirable
• Data analytics and reporting experience (i.e., companywide surveys performance management and reviewing and reporting data trends)
• Must possess a valid California Driver’s License, auto insurance and reliable transportation

Physical Requirements

• Ability to travel between properties and counties
• Constantly perform desk-based computer tasks, frequently sitting
• Occasionally stand/walk, reach/work above shoulders, grasp lightly/fine manipulation, grasp forcefully, use a telephone, sort/file paperwork or parts, lift/carry/push/pull objects that weigh up to 15 pounds
• Rarely twist/bend/stoop/squat, kneel/craw

This description reflects management’s assignment of essential functions, it does not proscribe or restrict the tasks that may be assigned.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

MidPen Housing Corp. provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

Consistent with its obligations under the law, MidPen Housing Corp. will provide reasonable accommodation to any employee with a disability who requires accommodation to perform the essential functions of his or her job. MidPen believes that diversity and inclusion among our teammates is critical to our success, and we seek to recruit, develop, and retain the most talented people from a diverse candidate pool.