Human Resources Specialist Jobs in Austin, TX

If you want to be a part of a growing organization and make a difference in the community, come work for Shalom Austin!

Compensation:

We’ll pay you an annual salary of $80,000-$85,000.

About the Job

The Human Resources Director provides strategic and operational leadership for all human resources functions at Shalom Austin. This role is responsible for optimizing HR operations, advancing talent management and compensation strategies, and strengthening employee relations to support organizational goals. The HR Director serves as a trusted advisor to executive leadership, fosters a high-performing and values-aligned organizational culture, and positions HR as a strategic partner across the organization.

This role oversees the day-to-day HR function, provides leadership and supervision to HR staff, and collaborates closely with the COO, Executive leadership, and department leaders to drive organizational effectiveness, compliance, and employee engagement.

You’ll wow us by masterfully performing the following key duties and responsibilities:

Employee Life-Cycle Leadership

• Partner with senior and executive leadership to understand organizational goals and workforce needs.
• Create, implement, and continuously improve staffing and recruitment strategies aligned with long-term organizational objectives.
• Guide and support hiring managers in sourcing, screening, and selection best practices.
• Ensure hiring processes reflect organizational values, equity, and compliance.
• Oversee and continually enhance onboarding and orientation programs to ensure a seamless and engaging new hire experience.
• Facilitate new employee orientation and ensure consistency across departments.

Employee Relations, Engagement, and Retention

• Develop, recommend, and implement employee relations policies and practices that foster a positive, inclusive, and engaged workplace culture.
• Proactively identify and mitigate employee relations risks that could impact organizational effectiveness or legal compliance.
• In coordination with the Chief Operating Officer, conduct and oversee high-level investigations into employee concerns and complaints.
• Partner with department leaders, Directors, and Senior Directors to provide coaching, counseling, and performance support.
• Manage all aspects of employee relations, including engagement, recognition, and retention initiatives.
• Lead organization-wide listening strategies (e.g., Leading Edge, listening tours) and provide strategic readouts and recommendations to executive leadership.
• Serve as a key strategic partner to the CO, identifying trends, strengths, and areas for improvement across the organization.

Performance Management and Compensation Strategy

• Design, implement, and refine performance management systems and assessment tools.
• Train and coach managers and employees on effective feedback, goal setting, and performance conversations.
• Ensure job descriptions are regularly reviewed, updated, and aligned with organizational needs.
• Track and analyze performance trends across the organization and report insights to the Chief Operating Officer and executive leadership.
• Research, analyze, and recommend compensation for new, backfilled, and evolving roles, with a forward-looking approach to market alignment.
• Assist in the review of current salary structures and pay practices to support equity, retention, and budget planning.
• Provide strategic compensation data and recommendations to executive leadership, including long-range planning.

Learning and Development

• Provide strategic leadership in the creation and execution of training and professional development initiatives.
• Partner with executive leadership to identify and address ongoing learning needs across the organization.
• Develop programs that support leadership development, employee growth, engagement, and career progression.
• Research national JCC and nonprofit learning opportunities and assess applicability to Shalom Austin.

Compensation and Benefits Administration

• Provide strategic oversight of benefits of administration, ensuring strong vendor relationships, effective communication, and compliance.
• Serve as the organizational expert and escalation point for benefits-related questions and concerns.
• Act as backup and subject matter expert for payroll and benefits administration.
• Oversee the HR department budget and meet regularly with the COO to assess financial trends and make recommendations.

Compliance and Risk Management

• Lead and manage HR components of annual audits, including general, 403(b), and Workers’ Compensation audits, in partnership with Accounting.
• Ensure HR policies, procedures, and practices comply with federal, state, and local employment laws.
• Regularly review, update, and communicate changes to the employee handbook.
• Interpret and communicate employment law updates to leadership and staff as appropriate.
• Collaborate with employment counsel on personnel matters and risk mitigation.

Supervisory, Administrative, and Strategic Leadership

• Provide direct supervision, mentorship, and development support to HR team members, including the Employee Experience Manager and HR Generalist.
• Strengthen HR team effectiveness through coaching, process improvement, and clearly defined growth paths.
• Provide regular HR metrics and analysis, including diversity, hiring, turnover, and engagement data, to executive leadership.
• Position HR as a proactive, data-informed, and trusted strategic partner across the organization.

• Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s degree preferred in Human Resources, Organizational Development, or a related field.
• HR certification preferred (PHR/SPHR, SHRM-CP/SHRM-SCP).
• 6 or more years of progressive human resources experience, including leadership responsibility.
• Strong knowledge of employment law, recruitment, employee relations, performance management, compensation, and benefits.
• Demonstrated ability to lead complex initiatives and influence senior leaders.
• Outstanding verbal and written communication skills; ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.
• Experience in nonprofit organizations preferred.

Our great benefits

• We’ll provide a FREE membership to the fitness and aquatics center, and offer you discounts on programs, including personal training.
• We are a learning organization! Our staff have regular opportunities for training and continuing education.
• We offer outstanding medical insurance coverage through Blue Cross Blue Shield, and we’ll pay over 80% of the premium cost of our base plan on your behalf.
• You will have the option to contribute to our 403(b) with and the opportunity for a company match.
• We provide life and long-term disability insurance, and we pay 100% of the cost for you.
• We will give you lots of paid time off. First-year employees receive: 18 days of paid time off, and more than 15 Jewish and Federal holidays.
• We’ll offer you up to a 50% discount for your kiddos in our amazing early childhood program, as enrollment allows.
• You will have access to our amazing Employee Assistance Program (EAP).
• We understand that you need a work/life balance and that you have commitments outside of the workplace, so we’ll do our very best to offer you some flexibility in your work schedule.
• We’ll provide you with the opportunity to make a difference in the Central Texas Jewish community every day.