Senior Human Resource Manager

Senior Human Resources Manager

The Ella Baker Center for Human Rights (EBC) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization based in Oakland, California, organizing to shift resources away from prisons and punishment towards opportunities that make our communities safe, healthy, and strong. Named after civil rights hero Ella Baker, we mobilize Black, Brown, and low-income people to build power in our communities. For over 25 years, we have worked from the community to the legislative level to free our people from state violence. We are currently working to end mass incarceration and mass criminalization in the United States through Truth and Reinvestment—moving resources away from failed criminal legal policies and into creating opportunities, also known as "books not bars, jobs not jails, healthcare not handcuffs." Through our programs, such as successful organizing in Alameda County, a robust state policy platform, and national leadership in the movement to end mass incarceration, EBC is building a culture of care to replace cages and cops.

The Ella Baker Center Action Fund (EBCAF) is a 501(c)(4) nonprofit organization and a separate but affiliated organization with the Ella Baker Center for Human Rights. EBCAF mobilizes our communities—current and formerly incarcerated people, their loved ones, people who are low income, and Black and Brown communities—to exercise their full political power and hold institutions accountable. Like our namesake Ella Baker, we understand that true power lies within the people. EBCAF was born out of the vision to further build power amongst those most impacted by incarceration and criminalization. We mobilize these communities to ensure that our elected officials are focused on addressing the root causes of harm in our communities instead of investing in failing institutions, such as prisons and policing, that exacerbate that harm.

At Ella Baker Center, we win by doing our liberation work in alignment with and guided by our core values:

• Prioritize people most impacted by policing and prisons
• Accountability
• Black Liberation
• Interconnection
• Transformation
• Culture of Care and Healing
• Self-Determination

About the Role

Reporting directly to the Managing Director, the Senior Human Resources Manager is a high impact position that will support the development and implementation of HR strategies. This position will play an instrumental role in ensuring that we promote a workplace culture that centers EBC's mission, vision, and values while promoting an optimal experience for all employees. The Senior Human Resources Manager will be responsible for building strategies, systems, and processes that drive growth and that centers the mission, vision and values of the Ella Baker Center. As a member of the Administrative Team, the Senior Human Resources Manager will support the leadership in ensuring that the Ella Baker Center for Human Rights has the right people, systems, and processes to meet its goals and drive impact. The Senior Human Resources Manager will support and coordinate the execution of key people and culture functions such as recruitment, retention, performance management, professional development, compensation and benefits, and employee engagement.

This role serves as an internal expert in California employment law and labor relations, ensuring full compliance and the consistent application of policies and practices across the organization, while leading post–collective bargaining agreement implementation by translating contract provisions into clear, compliant, and consistently applied organizational systems, policies, and practices.

Key Responsibilities

• HR Strategy and Implementation
• Employee Engagement
• Talent Acquisition and Staffing
• Human Resources Administration and Compliance

Job Requirements

• Must be able to remain in a stationary position at least 50% of the time.
• Needs to be able to move about inside the office to access file cabinets, office machinery, etc.
• Constantly operates a computer and other office productivity machinery, such as a calculator, copy machine, and printer.
• This position needs to be able to use a telephone and communicate with staff, vendors and other members of the public.
• Nothing in this job description restricts Ella Baker Center's right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.

Key Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Organizational Development, or a related field preferred; SHRM-CP, PHR, or equivalent certification a plus.
• Minimum of 5–7 years of Human Resources experience, including employee relations, compliance, and HR processes.
• Working knowledge of office productivity software (MS Office Suite) is required.
• Working knowledge of California employment law and employment regulations.
• Experience supporting employee relations matters, federal law, conflict resolution and performance management.
• Experience with payroll systems preferred-QuickBooks a plus.
• Experience in customer service or account management is a plus.
• Ability to multitask and handle competing demands; prioritize and manage focus and productivity effectively; ability to manage time and meet deadlines.
• Ability to work independently and demonstrate strong initiative and leadership.
• Excellent writing, editing, proofing and verbal skills.
• Ability to handle confidential and sensitive information with sound judgment and discretion.
• High level of interpersonal skills to handle time-sensitive and confidential situations with professionalism.
• Superior organizational skills, and the ability to create, implement, and maintain systems to improve the efficiency of the office.
• Ability to work independently and demonstrate initiative.
• Proficiency in Mac interfaces and all Microsoft Office applications.
• Familiarity with and commitment to racial and social justice; a clear understanding of EBC's mission and programs.
• Nonprofit experience and bilingual skills are a plus.

Competencies

• Expertise in employment law, HR compliance, and labor relations
• Employee relations and conflict resolution, including the ability to navigate sensitive and complex workplace situations with sound judgment and discretion
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to assess complex issues and make informed, data-driven decisions
• Organizational and project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and ensure follow-through
• Clear and effective communication skills, both written and verbal, with the ability to communicate across all levels of staff
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and handle sensitive information with professionalism and integrity
• Relationship-building and collaboration skills, with the ability to work effectively across teams and support managers
• Adaptability and comfort working in a fast-paced, evolving nonprofit environment

Reporting Relationship

This is a full-time, salaried, exempt position. The Senior Human Resources Manager reports directly to the Managing Director.

Salary and Benefits

Salary range: $100,000-$112,000K depending on professional and lived experience. The Ella Baker Center for Human Rights offers a competitive benefits package to its full-time employees, which includes employee health, vision, dental, chiropractor, acupuncture, LTD, life insurance, EAP, paid holidays, vacation and sick time, and the option to enroll in a 401k program. We cover 100% of the employee-only premiums for all medical coverage. Medical coverage begins the 1st of the month, after the date of hire.

Everyone Welcome

The Ella Baker Center is an equal opportunity employer. Individuals of color, 2SLGBTQIA+ people, individuals with past involvement in the criminal legal system, or who have loved ones currently or formerly impacted by the criminal legal system are strongly encouraged to apply. We do not require candidates to have a degree, and we welcome candidates with nontraditional backgrounds. We believe in both the necessity in building a broad, diverse movement to effectuate change and the importance of centering the experiences and leadership of those most impacted by the legal system. We are committed to investing in the leadership of people of color and formerly incarcerated people. If you are wondering if you are qualified to apply, please do.

COVID Vaccination

The Ella Baker Center for Human Rights recommends vaccinations to prevent the spread of communicable diseases. Fully vaccinated is determined two weeks after completing a primary immunization with a COVID-19 vaccine, with, if applicable, at least the minimum recommended interval between doses. All newly hired employees are requested to report their vaccination status and to provide proof of vaccination. The Ella Baker Center for Human Rights requires all employees to wear a mask when working within the building and at EBC-sponsored gatherings. Employees may be legally entitled to a reasonable accommodation if they cannot be vaccinated and/or wear a face covering (as otherwise required by this policy) because of a disability or if the provisions in this policy for vaccination and/or testing for COVID-19, and/or wearing a face covering