Lifeline Community Services

                                                  Position Overview

Lifeline Community Services’ Director of People & Culture will be the architect of a workplace where every team member feels valued, supported, and inspired to do their best work. As part of the leadership team, this position will directly report to the CEO. This role will guide HR operations with a deep commitment to elevating the employee experience through staff development, leadership training, and systems that help people thrive, while maintaining compliance and audit-readiness of the organization. More than just managing HR, this role is about shaping a culture of purpose and excellence — one that reflects the heart of Lifeline’s mission.

At Lifeline Community Services, our mission is to break cycles of poverty and build self-reliance by serving more than 25,000 people each year across San Diego County. Through programs focused on youth development, child abuse prevention, housing and self-sufficiency, behavioral health, and survivor services, we create pathways to brighter futures. To make this possible, we know that our people are our greatest strength — and we are looking for a leader who will nurture and champion them.

The Director of People & Culture will focus on strengthening core operations and aligning them with the organization’s growth and evolving needs. This includes ensuring compliance and audit-readiness of the organization, comprehensive understanding of California employment law with the ability to anticipate and adapt to evolving requirements, reviewing and optimizing payroll and benefitsadministration, and streamlining systems and procedures across the organization to ensure efficient workflows. The Director will also prioritize employee relations, fostering consistent practices that build trust, accountability, and open communication throughout the organization. Equally important, they will implement management training to equip leaders with the tools to guide and support their teams effectively. By clarifying roles, workflows, and expectations within the people & culture function, the Director will lay a strong foundation for collaboration, development, and long-term organizational success.

                                          Duties and Responsibilities

Culture & Employee Experience

• Design and implement programs that strengthen employee      engagement, belonging, and well-being.
• Promote organizational values through policies,      communication, and recognition programs.
• Act as a trusted advocate for employees, ensuring staff      perspectives inform leadership decisions.
• Foster an environment where every team member feels valued, respected, and able to thrive

Compliance & Risk Management

• Ensure all HR policies, procedures, and practices meet  federal, state, and local employment law requirements.
• Maintain and update employee handbook and HR documentation to      reflect current regulations and best practices.
• Proactively identify compliance risks and develop training,      systems, and safeguards to mitigate liability.
• Maintain an organized system to access and comply with announced  and unannounced government agency audits
• Partner with legal counsel on sensitive personnel matters,      investigations, and compliance reviews.

Leadership & Management Training

• Oversee and ensure delivery of training that equip our people to be excellent leaders.
• Provide coaching to leaders to strengthen people-centered      decision-making and communication skills.
• Support succession planning and leadership pipeline      development to prepare emerging leaders for future roles.

Workforce Development & Organizational Effectiveness

• Oversee recruitment, onboarding, and retention strategies to attract mission-aligned, diverse talent.
• Collaborate with executive leadership to align workforce planning with organizational priorities.
• Refine hiring processes and tools to ensure fairness, efficiency, and a positive candidate experience.

HR Operations & Service Delivery

• Build clear workflows and internal service standards for HR,      ensuring responsiveness and accountability.
• Oversee payroll, benefits administration, and employee relations with consistency and accuracy.
• Implement and optimize HR systems that support data accuracy      and user-friendly employee experiences.

Team Performance & Continuous Growth

• Use HR data to identify trends, measure engagement, and guide      decision-making.
• Monitor internal climate and recommend proactive changes to      strengthen culture and retention.
• Stay current with HR best practices and innovations, bringing      forward creative solutions to support organizational health and      sustainability.
• Other overall duties as assigned

                                                      Qualifications

• 7+ years of HR management experience guiding and evolving a high-functioning HR department (preferably in California), with a focus on aligning people operations with organizational strategy and growth.
• Bachelor’s degree required; Professional certifications such as SHRM-CP, PHR, SHRM-SCP, or SPHR are strongly valued.
• Deep knowledge of talent acquisition, employee relations, performance management, benefits, payroll, and compensation, ideally within a complex, service-oriented nonprofit environment.
• Proven ability to design and strengthen systems, workflows, and team structures that foster accountability, consistency, and high-quality service delivery; experience with project management tools and payroll platforms preferred.
• Strong grasp of employment law (particularly in CA), HR compliance, and risk management, with a demonstrated ability to make sound, proactive decisions.
• Skilled in using HR data and people analytics to identify trends, guide organizational improvements, and support evidence-based decision-making.
• Commitment to advancing equity and fostering belonging through HR practices, policies, and leadership behaviors.
• Experience designing and delivering training programs that equip managers with the skills and tools to lead effectively, support their teams, and foster a healthy workplace culture.
• Ability to work in partnership with leaders and staff across all levels of the organization, including executive leadership and front-line teams.
• Experience leading organizations through change, improving outdated systems and manuals, and helping teams navigate complexity.
• Clear, compassionate communicator with the ability to deliver feedback, navigate sensitive conversations, and represent staff perspectives with credibility and care.
• Strong personal ethics, discretion, and professionalism in handling sensitive and confidential information.

                                                   Physical Requirements

• This position primarily operates in a professional office environment and routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, and filing cabinets. 
• Frequently requires sitting or standing for extended periods.  
• May occasionally require lifting and carrying materials (up to 25 lbs) for events, programs, or office needs.       
• Must be able to communicate effectively in person, over the phone, and via email. 
• Visual and auditory acuity are required to perform essential job functions including reading printed and digital materials and interacting with others. 
• The employee may be required to move throughout the office to access equipment, files, and interact with team members. 
• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job.  

                                                    Compensation    

Compensation: $130,000-$145,000/YR DOE 

Status: Full Time; Exempt
Reports to: Chief Executive Officer 

Benefits: 

Medical, Dental, Vision, Chiropractic, Acupuncture, and life insurance 403b retirement plan
PTO: 0-2 years: (15) paid days off, SICK: (6) paid days off
14 paid holidays 

Employee Assistance Program
Employee incentives and award programs
Training and education assistance
Flexible spending account
Menu of optional benefits including short-term disability, critical illness, accident, hospitalization, and cancer policy. 

Location: North County - Oceanside/Vista, CA *with some commuting to other office site in Central San Diego 

Lifeline Community Services is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by law. 

                                   MORE INFORMATION OR TO APPLY:
EMAIL RESUME TO: Karla@RedboneRecruiting.com (619)984-9094