Description

Job Type
Full-time

Description
SUMMARY

Verdugo Strategies is a progressive campaign consulting organization whose mission is to collaborate with our clients to empower people who are working to create a better world through civic engagement, community mobilization, and strategic advocacy. Our past work has included presidential campaigns, key US Senate and Gubernatorial elections, and important issue-based advocacy efforts to create positive, progressive change.

The HR Director at Verdugo Strategies is the operations leadership role responsible for HR strategy and day-to-day execution of payroll, benefits, training, and employee lifecycle processes across three entities for temporary full-time field organizers, and part-time canvassers and support staff. The primary objective of this role is to oversee organizational culture, HR systems, processes, and compliance. This role provides updates to management on HR priorities and also provides administrative and logistical management across all client programs.

MANAGERIAL RESPONSIBILITIES

Reporting directly to the SVP of Operations, the HR Director provides and implements the overall HR strategy and is the primary point-of-contact for all staff on personnel matters. This role works within the Operations Department to oversee all people and culture operations.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Payroll and Benefits Administration & Support: Own and administer payroll, employee benefits, and required HR documentation, serving as primary point of contact for payroll and benefits matters.
HR Compliance & Administration: Provide guidance on HR policies, procedures, and workplace practices, exercising judgment to advise employees and senior leadership, including regularly assessing risk and recommending mitigation strategies. Monitor federal, state, and local employment laws, contributing to the development, implementation, and ongoing maintenance of HR policies and compliance practices.
HRIS (Paylocity) & Employee File Management: Maintain and evaluate confidential personnel record systems, ensuring compliance with internal policies and applicable laws. Oversee and manage HRIS (Paylocity) system for recruiting and employee modules. 
Employee Relations & Lifecycle: Develops, participates in, and refines end-to-end hiring, onboarding, terminations, and offboarding, designing and managing processes that ensure a consistent, compliant, and supportive employee experience aligned with organizational culture. Serves as a mediator in conflict resolutions, addressing concerns directly. 
Organizational Culture: Creates, maintains, and enforces a positive, professional environment. Develops and monitors employee morale and engagement. Responsive to programmatic requests regarding personnel needs and concerns.
Professional Development: Responsible for employee training on ongoing professional development and role-related skills.
Adaptive Support: Solve complex HR matters and perform other duties, special projects, and assignments as requested by the SVP of Operations, and/or clients.

SUCCESS CRITERIA

Staff Retention, Compliance & Morale: At least 80% of managed program-specific field staff express interest in working on a future program; 100% of retained program-specific field staff demonstrate a clear understanding of the mission and "buy-in" through regular check-ins, trainings, and professional development. 100% of managed temporary field staff are compliant with mandatory employee trainings.
Internal Talent Pipeline: Successfully identify, mentor, and support staff to develop suitable candidates for full-time roles, including: two staff members for Regional Director roles and four staff members for Organizer roles per odd-year, and at least two staff members for Regional Director roles and five Organizer roles per even-year. Suitable staff must demonstrate mastery of the NGS "quality of work" standards and accountability mechanisms prior to their promotion.
Resolution Speed: Field-based logistical or personnel issues are addressed within 24 hours, ensuring minimal impact on program operations and 100% of weekly and semi-monthly employee payrolls are processed accurately and on-time.Data Integrity & Verification: Achieves a near-zero error rate in data input/reporting through rigorous quality control and coding expertise, proactive communication, and management of data input systems. Always responsive to constructive feedback, correcting errors, and raising questions in a proactive manner to manager and other Operations staff involved in payroll and other operational responsibilities. Understands completely that payroll errors have real consequences for employees.
Strategic Reporting & Communication: Maintains seamless, proactive communication with Executives, Project Managers, and client teams, providing high-quality qualitative and quantitative progress updates during regular meetings 100% of the time. Demonstrated ability to communicate  clearly with non-HR professionals and explain "why" a compliance rule matters or what a benefits option means directly impacts employee experience.
Solutions-Oriented Initiative: Takes initiative without needing constant direction and more than one reminder from the manager. When gaps are identified, they are flagged to the manager with proposed solutions. Demonstrated ability to manage tight payroll deadlines, navigate system issues, and respond to employee concerns in a calm, professional, and productive manner.
Technical & Admin Mastery: Demonstrates the ability to manage complex software workflows, including administrative-level oversight in HRIS software.
High Integrity & Professionalism: Acts with honesty, ethics, and discretion, ensuring work products and all interactions reflect the high professional standards of Verdugo Strategies and its clients resulting in zero complaints/flags/investigations by direct supervisor, external accountants/HR advisors, and Senior Level Management. Handles sensitive employee data, compensation information, and personnel matters with absolute discretion and honesty.
Requirements

QUALIFICATIONS

Required Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, and Qualifications

At least four years of HR experience, including at least 2 years in payroll operations or benefits administration.
Demonstrated commitment to progressive causes and enthusiasm for working in a dynamic, fast-paced environment.
High proficiency in learning and using new software programs quickly (e.g., HRIS tools, payroll systems, Google Documents, Microsoft office, and/or project management apps).
Exceptional organizational skills of both people and information, with the ability to manage payroll and data with high attention to detail.
Demonstrated ability to manage details, solve problems, and follow through on assignments with minimal direct supervision
Professional ethics and discretion in handling confidential employee information.
Preferred Experience

Experience using Paylocity or similar HRIS systems.
Previous experience working with benefits brokers or retirement plan administration.
Management experience over a staff or a small team
Experience working within progressive campaigns, non-profits, or community-based organizations, especially as a field organizer, which is strongly preferred. 
Mandatory Requirements

Communication Tools: Must have easy access to a reliable laptop, smartphone, and a stable internet connection for regular professional communication and performing duties.
Mobility: Valid Driver’s License required to perform the responsibilities of this role, including travel and program support in field offices on occasion.
WORK ENVIRONMENT

This role operates in a remote workspace, with travel to on-site dynamic field office environments and in various community settings. It requires the ability to work long hours and/or weekends, especially during peak campaign phases.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

The employee must be able to sit for periods of data entry and stand for extended periods during remote trainings and/or performing the duties of this position. Specific physical abilities required include the ability to navigate stairs, carry heavy outreach materials, and work outdoors in varying weather conditions (heat, rain, etc.). While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use a computer and/or smartphone and participate in frequent voice or video calls.

EMPLOYMENT PRACTICES

At Verdugo Strategies, we value diversity and always treat all employees and job applicants based on merit, qualifications, competence, and talent. We do not discriminate on the basis of or traits historically associated with race; color, religion, religious creed, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, age, sexual orientation, veteran and/or military status, domestic violence victim status, political affiliation, and any other status protected by state or federal law.

DEADLINE 

This posting will remain active until May 30, 2026 or until the applicant pool is filled, whichever occurs first. Candidates are strongly encouraged to apply as soon as possible. 

Salary Description
$90,000 - $100,000 annual