Job Summary
The Human Resources (HR) Director provides strategic leadership and operational oversight for all human resources functions at Animal Humane New Mexico (AHNM). This position is responsible for cultivating an engaged, inclusive, and high-performing workplace while ensuring compliance with federal, state, and local employment laws.
The HR Director serves as a trusted advisor to leadership and employees, overseeing recruitment, employee relations, compensation and benefits, performance management, policy development, training, payroll administration, workplace investigations, safety initiatives, and organizational culture. This position plays a critical role in supporting AHNM's mission by attracting, developing, and retaining exceptional employees dedicated to animal welfare and community engagement.
The HR Director models AHNM's core values of compassion, respect, accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
Responsibilities
· Develop and execute HR strategies aligned with AHNM's mission and organizational goals.
· Partner with executive leadership to develop workforce planning initiatives.
· Advise leadership on organizational development, succession planning, and employee engagement.
· Foster a positive workplace culture emphasizing respect, collaboration, inclusion, and accountability.
· Serve as a member of the Leadership Team and contribute to organizational planning and decision-making.
· Maintain Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) for all departments.
· Develop and oversee recruitment strategies to attract diverse, mission-driven candidates.
· Oversee all hiring processes including job postings, applicant tracking, interviews, background checks, and onboarding.
· Ensure equitable hiring practices and compliance with Equal Employment Opportunity laws.
· Develop recruiting partnerships with community organizations and educational institutions.
· Monitor recruiting metrics and hiring effectiveness.
· Serve as the primary resource for employee relations matters.
· Provide coaching and guidance to supervisors on performance management and employee concerns.
· Conduct impartial workplace investigations involving harassment, discrimination, misconduct, policy violations, and workplace complaints.
· Resolve conflicts while promoting fairness, consistency, and organizational values.
· Maintain confidentiality in all employee matters.
· Administer the organization's performance evaluation process.
· Assist supervisors in developing performance improvement plans and coaching strategies.
· Support employee development through ongoing feedback and goal setting.
· Identify training opportunities that strengthen leadership and employee performance.
· Administer employee benefits programs including health, dental, vision, retirement, life insurance, leave programs, and wellness initiatives.
· Conduct annual benefits renewal and open enrollment processes.
· Evaluate compensation practices to ensure competitiveness and internal equity.
· Coordinate workers' compensation, unemployment claims, and leave administration.
· Maintain relationships with insurance brokers and benefit vendors.
· Oversee payroll administration in partnership with Finance.
· Ensure payroll accuracy, timekeeping compliance, and benefit deductions.
· Maintain HRIS integrity and employee records.
· Develop, implement, and update employee handbook policies and HR procedures.
· Ensure compliance with:
o Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
o Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)
o Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA)
o Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO)
o Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
o New Mexico employment laws
o City of Albuquerque ordinances
o Workers' Compensation regulations
· Conduct HR audits to ensure legal compliance.
· Maintain required employment records.
· Develop employee orientation and onboarding programs.
· Coordinate leadership development and employee training initiatives.
· Conduct quarterly leadership meetings.
· Promote diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging throughout the organization.
· Support employee recognition and engagement programs.
· Develop Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for HR processes.
· Chairperson of AHNM’s Safety Committee to promote a safe work environment.
· Monitor workplace injuries and trends.
· Coordinate OSHA compliance efforts.
· Oversee workers' compensation claims management.
· Support emergency preparedness planning.
· Promote psychological safety throughout the organization.
· Maintain accurate employee personnel files.
· Oversee HRIS administration.
· Analyze HR metrics including:
o Turnover
o Retention
o Time-to-fill
· Employee engagement
· Workers' compensation trends
· Training completion
· Benefits utilization
· Prepare reports for Executive Leadership and the Board of Directors.
· Directly supervise Human Resources staff.
· Provide coaching, mentoring, performance evaluations, and professional development.
· Foster collaboration across departments.
Required Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Public Administration, Organizational Leadership, or Related field. Equivalent experience may be considered.
· Minimum of 7 years of progressive Human Resources experience.
· Minimum of 3 years in HR leadership or management.
· Experience conducting workplace investigations.
· Experience administering employee benefits.
· Experience with compensation administration.
· Experience interpreting employment laws.
· Experience in managing HRIS and payroll systems.
· Experience developing HR policies and procedures.
· SHRM-CP, SHRM-SCP, PHR, or SPHR certification.
· Experience working in nonprofit organizations.
· Experience with ADP Workforce Now or similar HRIS.
· Knowledge of New Mexico employment law.
· Experience supporting multi-department organizations.
Knowledge, Skills & Abilities
· Employment law
· Employee relations
· ADA accommodations
· Leave administration
· Performance management
· Recruitment strategies
· Benefits administration
· Payroll practices
· HR compliance
· Organizational development
· Maintain confidentiality.
· Build trust with employees at every level.
· Exercise sound judgment.
· Handle sensitive situations with professionalism.
· Communicate effectively verbally and in writing.
· Facilitate difficult conversations.
· Manage multiple priorities.
· Analyze data and recommend solutions.
· Lead organizational change initiatives.
· Ability to sit, stand, and walk for extended periods.
· Frequent computer and keyboard use.
· Occasionally lift up to 25 pounds.
· Ability to travel between AHNM locations as needed.
Working Conditions
Work is performed primarily in an office environment with exposure to animal shelter environments, including noise, cleaning chemicals, allergens, and animals of varying health and temperament.
The Human Resources Director is expected to demonstrate:
· Leadership
· Integrity
· Emotional Intelligence
· Strategic Thinking
· Communication
· Collaboration
· Accountability
· Adaptability
· Problem Solving
· Customer Service
· Equity & Inclusion
· Conflict Resolution
· Confidentiality
· Continuous Improvement
· Success Measures
Within this role, success is demonstrated by:
· Maintaining full compliance with employment laws and organizational policies.
· Recruiting and retaining talented, mission-driven employees.
· Building positive employee engagement and organizational culture.
· Providing timely and effective employee relations support.
· Maintaining accurate HR records and payroll administration.
· Reducing organizational risk through proactive compliance and training.
· Supporting leaders in developing high-performing teams.
· Promoting a safe, respectful, and inclusive workplace.
· Aligning HR strategies with AHNM's mission and long-term organizational goals.
Pay: $85,000.00 - $95,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- 401(k) matching
- Dental insurance
- Employee assistance program
- Employee discount
- Health insurance
- Health savings account
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Retirement plan
- Vision insurance
Application Question(s):
- Please include a Cover Letter
Experience:
- Human Resources: 7 years (Preferred)
Work Location: In person
