HR Manager

About the Organization

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) responds to the world's worst humanitarian crises, helping to restore health, safety, education, economic wellbeing, and power to people devastated by conflict and disaster. Founded in 1933 at the call of Albert Einstein, the IRC is one of the world's largest international humanitarian non-governmental organizations (INGO), at work in more than 40 countries and 29 U.S. cities helping people to survive, reclaim control of their future, and strengthen their communities.

About the Role

The Human Resources (HR) Manager oversees and implements people & culture activities for an assigned portfolio of IRC offices or departments, providing a spectrum of services from tactical to strategic. They are part of the local Leadership Team and contribute to strategic direction setting and operational problem solving through their areas of professional expertise. This position is based in San Diego supporting both the San Diego and Los Angeles offices, with an expectation of regular travel between both locations.

Responsibilities

• Provide support and drive progress of key bodies of work within a broad range of people and culture areas, including:
  • IRC Way: Model, promote, and uphold a culture of values as reflected in our code of conduct, The IRC Way: Standards for Professional Conduct – Integrity, Service, Accountability, and Equality.
  • HR Knowledge: Serve as a reliable source of HR policies, practices, and processes in response to employee and/or supervisor requests, ensuring compliance with internal and external standards and applicable labor laws, including state and city-specific labor law. Support the development and refinement of key HR lifecycle processes as needed.
  • Advisor: Serve as a trusted advisor to managers and leadership on people-related matters, providing guidance on performance management, policy interpretation, and organizational decisions to support sound, compliant, and people-centered outcomes.
  • Employee Support: Facilitate resolution of escalated issues related to basic employee welfare needs regarding benefits, payroll, HRIS, Leaves of Absence, and general employee questions.
  • Employee Relations: Lead intake, make recommendations, and support resolution of sensitive employee relations matters and workplace investigations.
  • Labor Relations: Lead the implementation of the collective bargaining agreement for relevant groups, ensure consistent application of its provisions, and build and maintain constructive relationships with union representatives to support effective communication and collaboration.
  • Employee Experience: Lead initiatives that strengthen organizational culture, drive employee engagement, and ensure an inclusive workplace where all staff feel valued and respected.
  • Talent Acquisition: Oversee onboarding of new staff to ensure new hire and orientation practices are implemented in accordance with IRC standards.
  • Talent Management: Participate in core talent activities as relevant, deliver select training and development seminars, lead the development of a local talent-development strategy, and oversee implementation.
  • Employee Exits: Monitor and intervene as necessary to ensure IRC standards are met for separation forms, exit paperwork, and exit surveys.
  • HR Administration: Manage and maintain electronic office personnel records of employees and prepare paperwork with supporting documentation for Workday transactions, including new hires, staff transfers, supervisory changes, and separations.
  • P&C Community: Actively contribute to a nationwide People & Culture community of practice, partnering with peers across the IRC network to align on best practices, troubleshoot shared challenges, and strengthen consistency in how P&C services are delivered organization-wide.
• Manage background check procedures for staff and independent contractors.
• May manage a small team.
• Other duties as assigned.

Working Environment

• Hybrid work with a minimum of 3 days in the office.
• A combination of standard office environment and remote work.
• May require occasional weekend and/or evening work.
• Occasional travel to other IRC offices may be required.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree, preferably in Human Resources or Business Administration; or equivalent experience.
• Master’s degree in human resources management a plus.
• Minimum five (5) years of progressively responsible Human Resources experience.
• PHR or SHRM-CP certification preferred.
• Advanced working knowledge of at least one human resources discipline, including: employee relations, compensation and benefits, performance management, learning and development, organizational development, or labor relations.
• Prior experience leading workplace investigations and supporting the resolution of employee relations matters required.
• Prior experience working in a unionized environment strongly preferred.
• Experience in a large, matrixed organization a plus.

Skills and Competencies

• Strong grasp of HR concepts, including Federal & State employment laws.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong learning agility: capable of adapting quickly to change and applying new information and skills to work duties.
• Self-motivated to plan, prioritize, and problem solve independently.
• Ability to build and foster effective and positive working relationships with colleagues and maintain confidentiality to the highest degree.
• Proficient in MS Word, Excel, and PowerPoint; experience in Workday and applicant tracking systems a plus.
• Facilitation, Change Management, and/or Project Management experience a plus.
• Experience successfully working in a multicultural environment.

Pay

Compensation range: $81,252.55 - $94,430.64. Ranges are based on various factors including the labor market, job type, internal equity, and budget. Exact offers are calibrated by work location, individual candidate experience, and skills relative to the defined job requirements.

Benefits

• 10 paid sick leave days.
• 10 U.S. holidays.
• 20-25 generous paid time off days based on role and tenure.
• Medical insurance starting at $163/month.
• Dental insurance starting at $6.50/month.
• Vision insurance starting at $5/month.
• Flexible spending accounts (healthcare, dependent care, and commuter).
• A 403(b) retirement savings plan with employer match (immediate vesting) along with a non-elective employer contribution based on age and years of service (3-year vesting).
• Disability and life insurance.
• An Employee Assistance Program (EAP) offering confidential counseling and support services for employees and their families.