Job Title: Human Resources Director Status: Full Time/Exempt

Department: Operations Reports To: VP of Operations

Summary

The HR Director is a visionary, strategic, and operational leader responsible for shaping, implementing, and sustaining initiatives that foster a thriving, inclusive, compliant, and high-performing organizational culture. This role leads cross-functional efforts to improve employee and community engagement, training and talent development, internal communications, and overall employee experience. This role is the liaison to the Ascend HR Solutions group and represents the interest of CIS. The Director will partner closely with executive leadership, department managers, and staff to ensure that our people operations are aligned with mission-driven goals and values.

Essential Duties And Responsibilities

People Operations & Organizational Alignment

Develop and implement a multi-year People Strategy aligned with organizational goals.
Serve as a thought partner to executive leadership, supporting the integration of DEI, culture, and employee well-being into all people practices.
Partner with senior leaders to ensure cultural alignment across departments, policies, and practices.
Lead and manage all volunteer and internship processes within the organization.
Lead and/or serve on assigned committees.

Employee Engagement & Experience

Lead organization-wide engagement efforts, including surveys, feedback loops, and action planning.
Lead internal initiatives that strengthen employee engagement, retention, and belonging.
Manage systems and structures for employee lifecycle moments; to include intern program and pipeline (onboarding, transitions, milestones).

Leadership Development & Performance

Build and deliver organizational professional development programs and team effectiveness tools.
Facilitate training and development. Track and monitor development and training calendar.
Coordinate and support the full performance management cycle, including goal setting, mid-year reviews, and end of year evaluations.
Support a consistent and equitable approach to performance management and professional development.

Internal Communications & Culture

Collaborate with Communications and HR to ensure consistent internal messaging and transparency.
Cultivate values-aligned storytelling, feedback, and connection across teams.
Identify and scale best practices in team effectiveness, change management, and employee well-being.

Measurement & Continuous Improvement

Lead regular engagement surveys. Use engagement, retention, and culture data to evaluate effectiveness, manage action plans, and inform strategy.
Identify opportunities for continuous improvement in people systems and workplace norms.

HR Functions

Serve as HR Liaison to Ascend Nonprofit Solutions.
Manage internal HR EOS Rocks.
Manage background checks for volunteers (CMS databases).
Maintain compliance with federal, state, and local employment laws and update policies as needed.
Maintain working knowledge of payroll, benefits, and insurance programs.
Support benefit updates and open enrollment communication.
Performs other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.

Education And/or Experience

Candidates must have at least a bachelor's degree and 2 years of relevant equivalent experience in Human Resources, Business Administration, or Educational Leadership.

Skills Requirement

Proven track record of leading employee engagement and cultural transformation initiatives
Experience with DEI integration and change management
Strong project management, facilitation, and communication skills
Ability to analyze and interpret employee data to inform strategy
Knowledge of HR compliance, performance management, and employment law.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office or related software.

Preferred Skills And Qualifications

Understanding of Paylocity, Paycom or other HR Payroll Service Systems
Ability to manage benefits, payroll, and insurance at the individual and organizational

level.

HR certifications such as PHR, SHRM‑CP, SPHR, or SHRM‑

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit; use hands to handle, feel and keyboard; reach with hands and arms; and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; stoop, kneel, or bend. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close and distance vision.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The position is located within the Charlotte Mecklenburg area. Regular and satisfactory attendance and punctuality are required. Criminal background check and pre-employment drug test required. Financial credit check and driving record check required, if applicable.

The statements contained herein describe the scope of responsibility and essential functions of this position but should not be considered to be an all-inclusive listing of work requirements. Individuals may perform other duties as assigned, including work in other areas, to cover absences or relief to equalize peak work periods or otherwise balance the workload.

Ascend Nonprofit Solutions

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