AbilityFirst · 16 hours ago
Human Resources Manager
Pasadena, CA
Full-time
Hybrid
Mid, Senior Level
$85K/yr - $100K/yr
5+ years expAbilityFirst is dedicated to helping individuals with disabilities achieve their personal best. The Human Resources Manager is a hands-on HR leader responsible for employee relations, compliance, and the effective delivery of core HR programs across the organization.
AssociationConsultingInformation Technology
Responsibilities
Advise leaders and employees on performance, conduct, and workplace concerns; ensure consistent application of policies and practices
Lead performance management approach (leader coaching, evaluation standards, documentation expectations)
Direct corrective action strategy (PIPs/CAPs), ensuring defensible documentation and follow-through
Partner with leadership on separation decisions through risk assessment, documentation review, and alignment
Lead workplace investigations from intake through findings and recommendations; ensure confidentiality, timeliness, and documentation integrity
Facilitate conflict resolution and mediation when appropriate
Partner with leadership and counsel on compliance matters (wage/hour, FEHA, ADA) and high-risk employee relations cases
Coordinate cross-functional incident investigations and risk mitigation actions
Ensure payroll readiness by governing HR input controls (status changes, pay changes, leave impacts, deductions) and enforcing timelines/approvals
Serve as the HR escalation point for payroll issues requiring policy/benefits/leave interpretation; drive resolution and prevent recurrence
Partner with Payroll/Finance on payroll controls (audit trails, approvals, spot checks, and variance follow-up)
Own HR policy governance: develop, update, and implement policies aligned with compliance and operational reality
Lead handbook updates (annual + interim) in partnership with leadership and counsel; drive rollout and manager understanding
Maintain salary structures and compensation tools; support leadership with market-informed recommendations as assigned
Produce HR insights and reporting (trends, surveys, pay-related analyses) to guide decisions and measure outcomes
Own HR process governance and data integrity across HRIS and core workflows; set standards, controls, and accountability for accuracy
Establish and monitor HR operating rhythms (case tracking, compliance checks, escalation pathways, documentation standards)
Oversee benefits administration and act as escalation point for complex cases; ensure coverage/deduction alignment with Payroll and vendors
Lead Open Enrollment strategy and execution (timeline, vendor coordination, employee education, post-enrollment audit)
Oversee LOA governance (FMLA/CFRA, ADA interactive process coordination, medical/personal leaves), ensuring consistent documentation and manager guidance
Partner with vendors/TPAs on leave administration, claims follow-up, and return-to-work coordination; maintain confidentiality and compliance
Lead recurring eligibility/deduction audits across HRIS/benefits/payroll and drive corrective action
Partner with leaders on workforce planning and hiring workflow improvements; ensure consistent selection process and documentation standards
Oversee end-to-end onboarding program effectiveness (compliance readiness, manager onboarding discipline, early engagement outcomes)
Drive leader capability through HR training (performance management, documentation, investigations basics, respectful workplace, compliance)
Support culture and engagement initiatives through feedback mechanisms and targeted action planning with leadership
Coordinate workers’ compensation renewal readiness and partner on trend review and risk-reduction actions
Lead scheduled audits and reconciliations across HRIS, benefits, payroll, and vendor records to ensure alignment and reduce risk
Perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned to support the mission and operational needs of AbilityFirst
Qualification
Required
Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related field (or equivalent experience) is preferred
Minimum of 5–7 years of progressive HR experience with strong employee relations and compliance focus is required
Demonstrated experience conducting investigations, managing performance and corrective action, and developing HR policies is required
Strong judgment, discretion, and documentation skills in sensitive and complex situations
Proficiency with HRIS systems, reporting, and process oversight is required
Preferred
SHRM-CP, SHRM-SCP, PHR, or SPHR certification
Experience in nonprofit, human services, or other high-compliance environments
Benefits
Kaiser
Dental and Vision Insurance
Generous Paid Time Off
10 Paid Holidays
Employee Discount Program
Reimbursement for Mileage and Cellphone (where applicable)
Company
AbilityFirst
AbilityFirst is a nonprofit helping individuals with disabilities achieve their personal best throughout their lives! We do this with programs and services including after-school enrichment, community based programs, job training and coaching and a fully-accessible camp Camp Paivika, in the San Bernardino forest.
501-1000 employees
Funding
Current Stage
Late StageTotal Funding
unknownKey Investors
ERK Foundation
2025-09-03Grant
Leadership Team
Julie Tugend
Interim Chief Executive Officer
Kashif Khan
CFO & CTO
Company data provided by crunchbase