HR Manager

HR Manager

Location: Santa Clara, CA

Type: Contract-to-Hire

Pay: $5055/hour

This role works collaboratively across the organization, acting as a bridge between Human Resources, Finance, and program teams to support a compliant and high-performing workplace. The ideal candidate brings strong expertise across employee relations, compliance, reporting, leave administration, benefits, compensation, talent acquisition, and talent management. This individual will serve as a strategic partner to leadership and report directly to senior HR leadership.

Important Requirements

• Must have a valid driver's license and reliable transportation
• Must be able to travel regularly to multiple sites throughout the Santa Clara County (and occasionally Santa Cruz) for investigations, trainings, and HR support as needed
• Strong employee relations experience required, including hands-on investigations and court hearing experience
• Comfortable operating in high-risk, complex environments and able to adapt to changing priorities

Key Responsibilities

• Oversee the daily operations of the HR department and manage up to 4 direct reports
• Serve as a primary point of contact for leadership on HR policies, compliance, and best practices
• Lead complex employee relations matters, including conducting full-cycle investigations from intake through resolution
• Partner closely with leadership and legal counsel to mitigate risk and ensure compliance
• Manage and represent the organization in:
• Unemployment hearings
• EEOC complaints
• Wage and hour matters
• Ensure timely submission of compliance reporting, including EEO-1, OSHA, and pay data reporting
• Oversee HR operations through team leadership, including:
• Leave of Absence (FMLA, CFRA, PFL)
• Benefits administration and open enrollment
• Talent acquisition and onboarding processes
• Talent management, performance reviews, and development programs
• Lead HR-related projects such as system implementations and process improvements
• Use data and metrics to identify trends, diagnose issues, and provide recommendations to leadership
• Support employee engagement, training, and retention initiatives
• Ensure adherence to all federal, state, and local labor laws, policies, and procedures

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in HR, Business Administration, Psychology, or related field a plus
• 7+ years of progressive HR experience, including experience managing a team
• Strong, hands-on experience with employee relations and workplace investigations (non-negotiable)
• Court hearing experience required (unemployment, legal proceedings, etc.)
• Experience with HRIS/ATS systems required (Paycom experience preferred but not required)
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office or Google Workspace (strong Excel preferred)

Skills and Profile

• Strong knowledge of HR practices and employment laws
• Excellent written communication skills (critical requirement)
• Highly organized and detail-oriented with strong follow-through
• Adaptable and able to manage shifting priorities in a fast-paced environment
• Strong, concise communicator who can stay focused and structured
• Comfortable presenting and facilitating training sessions
• High level of discretion and ability to handle confidential information
• Curious and resourceful, with the ability to research and interpret regulations (ADA, FMLA, etc.)

Equal Opportunity Employer/Veterans/Disabled

The Company will consider qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records in accordance with federal, state, and local laws and/or security clearance requirements, including, as applicable:

• The California Fair Chance Act
• Los Angeles City Fair Chance Ordinance
• Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers
• San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance

Benefit offerings include medical, dental, vision, life insurance, short-term disability, additional voluntary benefits, EAP program, commuter benefits, and 401K plan. Our program provides employees the flexibility to choose the type of coverage that meets their individual needs. Available paid leave may include Paid Sick Leave, where required by law; any other paid leave required by Federal, State, or local law; and Holiday pay upon meeting eligibility criteria.