Senior Manager, Human Resources

Senior Manager, Human Resources Job Description

Position Summary:

The Senior Manager, Human Resources serves as the strategic leader responsible for advancing Seattle Humane’s human resources functions through strategic planning, change management, and continuous improvement initiatives. Reporting to the Deputy Director, this role provides experienced oversight of all HR operations — including talent acquisition, employee experience, performance management, payroll, leave and benefits administration, and training and development.

The Senior Manager leads and develops a small but impactful team, builds strong partnerships across the organization, and ensures that HR practices consistently reflect Seattle Humane’s mission, values, and commitment

to a thriving, inclusive workplace. This position plays a critical role in shaping organizational culture, equipping leaders, and driving people focused initiatives that support staff engagement, operational excellence, and long- term organizational success.

KEY OR ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

Leadership & Team Management

• Lead, coach, and develop the HR team, ensuring high-quality, mission aligned service delivery and succession planning for key HR roles.

• Build strong working relationships with managers to support consistent application of HR policies, processes, and best practices.
• Model and reinforce organizational values, fostering an inclusive, supportive, and high-performance workplace culture.

HR Operations & Compliance

• Oversee daily HR operations, including HRIS management, personnel records, and standard HR processes.
• Ensure HR practices comply with all relevant laws, regulations, and internal policies; proactively identify and mitigate risks through regular internal audits.
• Monitor and manage departmental budget and contribute to the annual budgeting process.

Talent Acquisition & Onboarding

• Oversee full cycle- recruitment, selection, and hiring processes, ensuring an equitable and efficient candidate experience and strong employer branding. Develop outreach strategies to attract diverse talent pools.
• Monitor recruitment metrics such as time-to-fill, offer acceptance rate, and retention rates.
• Manage employee onboarding and orientation programs that support retention and cultural alignment

Employee Relations & Performance Management

• Provide consultation and guidance to supervisors on employee relations matters, conflict resolution, performance issues, and corrective action.
• Partner with leadership to ensure consistent and effective performance management practices, including administration of the annual review process and quarterly check ins.
• Conduct or support investigations and manage sensitive HR matters with discretion and fairness.
• Lead employee engagement initiatives and utilize data-driven insights to inform performance management practices.
• Analyze employee relations trends and recommend proactive solutions.

Training, Development & Culture

• Partner with Deputy Director and senior leadership to implement leadership development, cultural training, and DEIB learning initiatives with measurable outcomes and regular evaluation.
• Assess training effectiveness and recommend improvements based on feedback and outcomes.
• Provide consultation on department specific training needs and staff development strategies.

Compensation & Benefits

• Collaborate with senior leadership to support compensation program management, market review processes, and salary administration.
• Conduct regular pay equity analyses and recommend adjustments to ensure fairness.
• Partner with key senior leaders to review and monitor employee benefits programs for compliance and competitiveness.
• Lead benefits communication and employee education initiatives to maximize employee understanding and engagement.

HR Metrics & Reporting

• Develop, track, and report on HR metrics, such as turnover, engagement scores, DEIB progress, etc., and key performance indicators to support data driven decision-making.
• Conduct analysis of employee feedback (surveys, exit interviews) and recommend improvement strategies.

Organizational Partnerships & External Relations

• Build and maintain partnerships within the animal welfare and HR communities to support recruiting, professional development, and best practice sharing.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY: 

• This role will oversee a team of two direct reports, including an HR Specialist and a Recruiter.

REQUIRED SKILLS:

• High degree of independent judgment required.
• Must be creative and able to solve problems; manage multiple tasks and determine priorities; supervise volunteers; and meet specified budget goals.
• Must be a strong project manager, able to work with a variety of personalities, and remain focused on the organization’s goals and objectives.
• Must demonstrate attention to detail and must be able to respond to unexpected questions, comments or requests from other departments, vendors, partners or community members. 

The position involves diverse work on a daily basis, although there is recurring work during specific times of the year.

KNOWLEDGE/EXPERIENCE/EDUCATION OR TRAINING:

Required: 

• 4-5 years of experience and progression in Human Resources generalist and manager roles; with experience working in Union environment preferred
• 3-5 years of experience in full-cycle recruitment and on-boarding.
• 2-3 years of experience leading, influencing and developing all levels of leadership and HR staff.
• Proven, cross functional, project management skills in small or large organizations.
• Proven competence in designing and executing leadership training and development programs.
• Ability to collect and analyze data to interpret organizational progress, results and inform decision making.
• Ability to work animal welfare, understanding challenges and working effectively with empathy.
• Effective written and verbal communication, including presentation and facilitation skills.
• Exercises good judgement and decision-making skills.

Preferred Experience:

• Previous experience working in animal welfare or social services environments.
• Previous experience working with nonprofit organizations, in any capacity (volunteer, staff, board member)
• Previous experience developing and supporting Diversity, Equity, Belonging and Inclusion programs and practices.

LICENSES/CERTIFICATIONS REQUIRED:

• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources Management, or a related field, preferred. Relevant experience considered in lieu of a degree.
• SHRM-CP or PHR certificate preferred.

PHYSICAL/MENTAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Must feel comfortable in dealing with angry, confused, distraught and/or irrational people. 
• Must be able to lift 10-25 pounds with or without accommodation.
• Must be able to sit, walk, and stand with or without reasonable accommodations.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

• General office and animal shelter environment.  When handling animals, there is a potential of animal bites, exposure to zoonotic diseases, animal dander and noise. 

Equipment Use:

• Office equipment; computer and multi-line phone system.

Work Hours: 

• Salaried full-time exempt position.
• Normal business working hours, 40 hours a week flexible schedule with occasional evening or weekend hours for meetings or events.

SEATTLE HUMANE CORE VALUES:

Candidate should be committed to Seattle Humane’s Core Values:

• Compassion
• Accessibility
• Innovation
• Responsibility
• Teamwork

WHO WE ARE:

Seattle Humane is more than a shelter, we are a community resource center. We're meeting the increasing need for pet owner support services, so that families don't have to choose between an overdue bill and a beloved family member. We're training the next generation of veterinarians in our state-of-the-art medical center. We're building a community of animal advocates through our volunteer and youth education programs.

The impact of Seattle Humane is life-changing, for the animals in our care and the people who love them. Our top priority is to connect animals in need of rescue with the people who will love them. Through our outreach, advocacy, and services, we strive to ensure that animal companionship is accessible to all.

Equal Opportunity Statement:

As an equal opportunity employer, Seattle Humane is committed to providing employment opportunities to all qualified applicants and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran status, or disability status or any other basis prohibited by applicable law.

 
The Benefits:

At Seattle Humane, we believe in investing in our people, you'll receive competitive benefits and perks, including full health & wellness coverage, generous paid time off starting at three weeks, 10 paid holidays, an employer matching retirement plan, personal pet allowance, employee sabbaticals, discounts, and you get to work around cute animals!

Check out our LIST of benefits and perks HERE

Sound like something you want to be a part of? Then apply today!