HR - Associate Director - Minneapolis - Agate, Inc.

Description

The Associate Director of Human Resources is a senior, hands-on role responsible for delivering comprehensive human resources services while grounding HR practices in the realities of frontline social service work. This is a working position that requires significant daily involvement in core HR functions. While the role does not include formal supervisory responsibility, support is provided through collaboration with volunteers, interns, and administrative personnel.
The Associate Director of Human Resources is a member of the Leadership Team and provides day-to-day operational HR support while partnering closely with the Executive Leadership Team, and program leaders. This role requires direct experience in social services and program operations to ensure that HR policies, labor practices, and compliance efforts support trauma-informed, mission-driven service delivery. The ideal candidate is highly collaborative, self-directed, and comfortable balancing strategic input with hands-on execution in a complex nonprofit and unionized environment.
Position Responsibilities:
Performance Management & Employee Relations

• Provide guidance and coaching to managers on performance management, evaluations, feedback, and corrective actions.
• Support employee relations matters using a fair, and solutions-focused approach.
• Ensure consistent application of HR & CBA policies and procedures across departments.
• Partner with leadership to support employee retention, and workplace culture.

Recruitment & Onboarding

• Manage full-cycle recruitment for frontline and administrative roles.
• Coordinate onboarding and orientation to support employee engagement, retention, and mission alignment.
• Maintain accurate, confidential employee personnel files and HR records, in collaboration with support team members.

Training, Development & Employee Support

• Design coordinate and facilitate training related to compliance, supervision, and workplace practices.
• Partner with managers to identify training needs and professional development opportunities.
• Support succession planning and internal growth initiatives without direct supervisory responsibility.

Labor Relations

• Work collaboratively in a unionized environment to support positive labor-management relationships. Assist with interpretation and administration of collective bargaining agreements.
• Support grievance processes including investigations, meetings and responses.

Benefits, Compensation & Payroll Support

• Assists in administration of employee benefits programs including health insurance, leave programs, and retirement plan. Serve as a point of contact for employees regarding benefits and leaves of absence as it relates to protected time off.
• Prepare and submit payroll change documentation and support payroll processing.

Workers' Compensation, Risk Management & Compliance

• Manage work comp claims and coordinate with supervisors and insurance providers.
• Ensure timely reporting, documentation, and follow-up. Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local employment laws and regulations. Prepare required government reports and support audits or regulatory reviews.

HR Operations & Policy Implementation

• Maintain HRIS systems and employee records with accuracy and confidentiality.
• Draft, update, and implement HR policies and procedures in partnership with leadership.
• Balance daily operational HR tasks with longer-term organizational initiatives.

Program Management & Social Services Integration

• Apply direct social service experience to inform HR practices and decision-making.
• Support program leaders with staffing models, scheduling considerations, and operational planning. Participate in cross-functional projects, initiatives, or program-related work as assigned.
• Provide on-the-ground support during operational challenges and critical incidents.

Benefits of working with us include:

• 6.15 hours of PTO accrued each pay period, prorated for part-time (160 hours of PTO your first year)
  • 11 Floating holidays per year (Prorated based on hire date)
• Medica Health Insurance with 8 options including traditional and high-deductible options.
  • Clear Value from $7-103, Park Nicollet Health Partners and Vantage Plus from $48-150, Passport plan from $170-291
• Employer-paid Dental and Life Insurance for employees
• Flex Spending and Health Savings Account
• Free Employee Assistance Program
• Retirement plan- with 1.5% employer contribution offered between 6 & 12 months of employment)
• Referral Bonus Program

Required Qualifications:
Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Social Work, Public Administration, or related field (or equivalent experience). 5+ years of progressive HR Generalist experience, preferably in nonprofit or human services settings.
Technical Skills:

• Direct experience in social services, shelter, housing, or related frontline work.
• Strong working knowledge of employment law, benefits administration, labor relations, workers' compensation, and compliance.
• Proven ability to independently manage HR functions in a complex organization.
• Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
• High attention to detail, discretion, and sound judgment.
• Ability to work independently while remaining highly collaborative.

In addition, successful applicants will embrace the following perspective, skills, and abilities:

• Commitment to Agate Housing and Services' values and mission of ending homelessness and relieving hunger through action and advocacy.
• Commitment to working towards an anti-racist culture both within Agate Housing and Services and the broader community.
• Hold the belief that every household can achieve housing stability.
• Commitment to harm reduction and housing first philosophies.
• Ability to work respectfully with clients, coworkers, and key stakeholders who are diverse with respect to race, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, socio-economic status, and religion.
• Ability to meet expectations regarding paperwork and documentation through organizational skills, strong attention to detail, and the ability to work efficiently and accurately, competency and comfort using technology and computers.