Director of Human Resources (Talent & Culture)

Job Overview

The Director of Human Resources (Talent & Culture) is responsible for leading AVANCE’s people strategy in support of its mission to strengthen families and communities. This role provides strategic and operational leadership across all Human Resources functions, including talent development, employee relations, organizational effectiveness, compliance, and culture.

This position exercises substantial independent judgment and discretion in matters involving organizational strategy, workforce planning, employee relations, compliance, and Human Resources operations. As a member of the leadership team, the Director serves as a strategic advisor to executive leadership on organizational effectiveness, workforce risk management, and talent strategy while partnering closely with leadership to align workforce initiatives with organizational goals. This role balances strategic vision with hands-on execution to ensure HR programs and practices are scalable, compliant, and responsive to the needs of a multi-site nonprofit environment, supporting the attraction, development, and retention of a high-performing, mission-driven workforce.

Job Responsibilities

• Strategic Leadership & Organizational Development
• Partner with the CEO and Senior Leadership Team to develop and execute a people strategy aligned with AVANCE’s mission, growth, and programmatic goals. 
• Lead workforce planning, organizational design, and change management initiatives across multiple sites and programs. 
• Drive succession planning efforts, identifying and developing internal talent pipelines to support long-term organizational sustainability. 
• Provide strategic guidance on organizational challenges, leadership effectiveness, and team performance. 
• Develops, interprets, and implements Human Resources policies, procedures, and organizational practices aligned with operational and compliance objectives.
• Provides leadership recommendations regarding organizational structure, workforce planning, succession planning, and employee engagement initiatives.
• Talent Development & Learning Strategy
• Design and implement organization-wide training and development programs that strengthen leadership capability and employee growth. 
• Expand and enhance existing training initiatives to support program quality, compliance, and service delivery. 
• Foster a culture of continuous learning aligned with AVANCE’s commitment to staff development and community impact. 
• Culture, Engagement & Employee Experience
• Lead initiatives that strengthen organizational culture, employee engagement, and retention across diverse program sites. 
• Oversee employee engagement surveys, analyze results, and implement action plans in partnership with leadership. 
• Champion employee wellness, recognition, and morale-building initiatives that support a positive and inclusive work environment. 
• Ensure onboarding processes effectively integrate employees into AVANCE’s culture, mission, and program expectations. 
• HR Operations & Compliance
• Oversee all HR operations, ensuring consistent, efficient, and compliant service delivery across locations. 
• Ensure compliance with federal and Texas employment laws, including FLSA, FMLA, ADA, EEO, ACA, and nonprofit-specific requirements. 
• Provide oversight of employee relations matters, ensuring fair, consistent, and risk-aware resolution aligned with organizational values. 
• Lead development and administration of HR policies, procedures, and internal controls to mitigate organizational risk. 
• Oversee benefits administration, compensation practices, and HR systems to ensure equity, competitiveness, and compliance. 
• Exercises independent judgment in evaluating and resolving complex employee relations, compliance, and organizational matters.
• Provides oversight and guidance regarding employment practices, organizational risk mitigation, and regulatory compliance strategies.
• Communication & Organizational Alignment
• Develop and implement internal communication strategies that promote transparency, alignment, and engagement across all levels of the organization. 
• Establish effective feedback channels between employees, leadership, and program sites. 
• Lead HR initiatives that reinforce AVANCE’s mission, vision, and organizational priorities. 
• Data, Reporting & Continuous Improvement
• Utilize HR metrics and data analytics to inform decision-making and identify trends impacting workforce performance. 
• Prepare and present reports on workforce metrics, engagement, retention, and compliance to executive leadership. 
• Continuously evaluate HR programs and processes, implementing improvements that enhance operational efficiency and employee experience. 
• Utilizes workforce analytics and operational data to develop strategic recommendations that support organizational effectiveness and employee retention.
• Leadership & Team Oversight
• Lead, develop, and support the HR team, ensuring alignment with organizational priorities and high standards of service delivery. 
• Establish clear performance expectations and support ongoing professional development within the HR function. 
• Promote a culture of accountability, equity, and continuous improvement across the organization. 
• Directly supervises Human Resources personnel, including hiring, coaching, performance management, disciplinary actions, and employment recommendations.
• Establish departmental goals, operational priorities, and performance expectations for Human Resources staff.
• Additional Responsibilities
• Perform other duties as assigned in support of AVANCE’s mission, operations, and strategic initiatives such as regional and national planning.
• This role is responsible for matters of significance affecting organizational operations, workforce strategy, and compliance administration.

Education

Required:

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related field, and SHRM-CP, SHRM-SCP, or SPHR certification

Preferred:

• Experience working with HRIS systems, benefits platforms
• Master’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or related field

Work Experience

Required:

• Minimum of seven (7) years of progressive Human Resources experience, including at least three (3) years in a leadership role

Preferred:

• Demonstrated experience supporting multi-site operations, preferably in a nonprofit or community-based organization
• Experience in Head Start, early childhood education, or grant-funded program environments
• Strong background in employee relations, compliance, and organizational development

Additional Skills Required

• Spanish fluency is helpful but not required.
• Extensive knowledge of employee benefits and applicable laws.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Excellent organizational and time management skills.
• Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite or similar software.

Disclaimer (s)

This is not necessarily an all-inclusive list of job-related responsibilities, duties, skills, efforts, requirements or working conditions. While this is intended to be an accurate reflection of the current job, management reserves the right to revise the job or to require that other or different tasks be performed as assigned. Nothing in this job description forms or is intended to form a contract of employment. Neither shall the content in this job description be interpreted to conflict with or to eliminate or modify in any way, the “at will” employment status of AVANCE San Antonio employees. Employment remains on an “at-will” basis.

Travel

Travel required locally or long-distance up to 50% of the time for work-related meetings and functions.

Equipment

Computer, computer software programs and peripherals, resource materials and equipment, copier, fax, and other equipment applicable to the position. 

Working Conditions

Mental and Physical Demands  

General office and sedentary. Regularly required to sit; use hands to handle or feel; reach with hands and arms; and talk or hear. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus. Use of personal computing equipment. Work’s evenings and weekends on a regular basis.

Maintain emotional control under stress; work with interruptions and deadlines; walking, standing, stooping, bending, pulling, and pushing; occasional: lifting/carrying, pulling/pushing 10-30 pounds. Work evenings and weekends as needed.

Environmental Factors

Occasional exposure to biological hazards (communicable diseases, bacteria, insects, mold, fungi, etc.). Occasional exposure to weather related conditions when working in outside environment/neighborhoods and events. 

ADA/ADAAA Statement

AVANCE is committed to equal opportunity in employment for persons with disabilities and complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA), as amended, and any other applicable state and federal laws. Accordingly, AVANCE does not discriminate against qualified individuals with disabilities regarding application, hiring, advancement, discharge, compensation, training or other terms, conditions, and privileges of employment. Moreover, it is AVANCE’s policy to provide reasonable accommodations in employment to qualified individuals with disabilities so that they can perform the essential functions of the job, unless the accommodation would impose an undue hardship on the operation of AVANCE’s business or would change the essential functions of the position. Retaliation against an individual with a disability for utilizing this policy or seeking a reasonable accommodation is prohibited. Individuals with any questions or requests for accommodation should contact the Human Resources Department.