Human Resources Manager

Under general supervision from the Deputy Chief People Officer, the Human Resources Manager performs a full range of professional level human resources functions including recruitment and retention, benefits administration, employee relations, labor relations, recordkeeping/administration, drug and alcohol, and general human resource functions.  All duties must be performed at the highest level of quality, with emphasis on providing exceptional customer service to internal and external customers. A Human Resources Manager takes on a higher level of complexity, managing strategic initiatives and specialized functions such as benefits (along with the Sr. HRBP), HRIS, wellness programs, and compensation and classification projects. The Human Resources Manager role further expands on these responsibilities, adding leadership in driving organizational change and developing advanced HR strategies. 

This role operates with minimal oversight, often supervising the HRBPs and the Sr. HRBPs and other junior HR staff. The complexity of their work is significantly higher, as they tackle high-level HR challenges, provide strategic guidance, and drive organizational change efforts. The Human Resources Manager exercises considerable discretion in decision-making, with a focus on shaping and implementing HR strategies that align with organizational goals and the vision and mission of Human Resources within North County Transit-San Diego Railroad.

The individual in this position is designated as a Confidential Employee and will be privy to highly confidential and sensitive information on internal District matters pertaining to the decision-making process on matters relating to potential and current litigation, labor relations and/or personnel and employment, and other items of general legal and/or liability concerns. 

The Human Resources Manager operates with minimal supervision, reporting to senior leadership, and may supervise junior Human Resources staff or teams, providing direction on complex HR matters and strategic initiatives.

Normal working conditions for this position are in both an office and field setting. Business travel may be required periodically between District sites, governmental agencies, consultant’s facilities, and other locations as required.  Due to the unique nature of the agency’s activities this position must be able to work a flexible schedule that includes evenings, weekends, and holidays. This includes both on-call as well as on-site availability response during emergencies.

Essential Functions

Duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Leads Strategic HR Initiatives: Takes ownership with the Human Resources Team of high-impact HR projects and initiatives, aligning them with the organization’s strategic goals and driving cross-functional collaboration to ensure successful execution.
• Primary Point of Contact for Senior Leadership: Serves as the dedicated HR advisor to senior leaders under the direction of the Deputy Chief People Officer, providing expert guidance on complex HR issues, organizational development, and leadership strategies.
• Manages Complex Employee Relations Matters: Handles advanced employee relations cases, including investigations, conflict resolution, and legal compliance, ensuring alignment with company policies and employment laws. At times will be aware of highly confidential matters that require direct discretion at all times.
• Benefit Administration: Administers daily activities, as well as monthly premium billing, relative to employee benefit plans. Additionally manages our Annual Open Enrollment process along with the Sr. HRBP who primarily handles benefits. Provides support and assistance to participants regarding questions or problems with benefit-related issues, maintaining the highest standard of service. Coordinating the operation of benefit matters between the Human Resources Business Partners across the Human Resources Division.
• Leave Administration: Directs the Sr. HRBP who administers and oversees tracking for employee leaves of absence from inquiry through approval and return, including but not limited to FMLA, CFRA, PDL, etc.  Ensures compliance with applicable laws, regulations, and District policy/procedure.
• Drives Organizational Change Management: Manages change management efforts for large-scale organizational initiatives, including restructuring, culture transformation, and workforce planning, ensuring smooth transitions and employee engagement under the direct supervision of the Deputy Chief People Officer.  
• Oversees Talent Management and Succession Planning: Partners, develops and implements talent management strategies, including succession planning, leadership development and training, and workforce planning, to build a robust NCTD talent pipeline of talent.
  1. Oversees the administration of the District’s performance evaluation process for probationary and routine employee performance reviews; ensure compliance with associated policies/ procedures.
• Data-Driven Decision-Making: Utilizes advanced HR analytics and metrics to identify trends, assess program effectiveness, and provide strategic insights to guide decision-making at the executive level.
• Strategic Thinking: Exhibits the ability to think critically and strategically, anticipating future HR challenges and opportunities, and crafting proactive solutions that align with long-term business goals.
• Change Leadership: Shows exceptional ability to lead and inspire others through periods of significant organizational change, maintaining morale, and driving alignment with new strategic directions under the direction of the Deputy Chief People Officer.
• Support Organizational Transformation Initiatives: Partner with North County Transit-San Diego Railroad’s Deputy Chief People Officer to facilitate NCTD’s ongoing organizational changes, including the integration of new leadership, ensuring alignment with the agency’s strategic vision.
• Lead Employee Engagement and Retention Efforts: Develop and implement strategies to enhance employee engagement, address voluntary and involuntary separations, and improve retention rates, particularly during periods of significant change.
• Provide Expert Guidance on Labor Relations: Serve as the key HR advisor on labor relations issues, working closely with union representatives and management to navigate collective bargaining, grievance resolution, and contract administration.
• Provide Coaching and Mentorship: Possesses strong coaching and mentorship skills, guiding Human Resources team members in their professional development and enhancing their HR competencies.
• Training Human Resources Business Partner/ Sr. Human Resources Business Partner and Knowledge Transfer: The Human Resources Manager is expected to take an active role in training and developing Human Resources Business Partner team members, sharing knowledge, best practices, and expertise to build a strong, capable HR team. This includes facilitating regular knowledge transfer sessions and providing ongoing support as HRBP members grow in their roles.
• Backing Up the Director/Chief: The Human Resources Manager is also responsible for providing support to the HR Director and/or Deputy Chief People Officer as needed, stepping in to handle high-level tasks, represent the HR function in key meetings, and ensure continuity of leadership during their absence.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Experience/Education

• Bachelor’s Degree in human resources or related field required.
• Minimum five (5) years prior directly relevant experience, including experience in a unionized environment.
• Bilingual in English/Spanish a plus but not required.
• Previous transit and/or public sector experience highly desired.

A combination of experience/skills and education to fulfill the requisite knowledge, skills and abilities for this position may be considered.

• Possession of and the ability to maintain a California driver’s license, Class C, with less than 6 points in the preceding 36-month period, and no DUI violations in the prior 7 years.
• Maintain compliance with the District’s policy regarding Conflict of Interest and Ethics. 
• Must be able to obtain and maintain annual access to Marine Corp Base Camp Pendleton.
• Must be able to become Roadway Worker Protection (RWP) qualified on NCTD-owned railroad properties.
• SPHR, PHR, SHRM-CP, SHRM-SCP or must be able to obtain within 1 year of employment.   

General Requirements

• Strong knowledge of principles and practices of human resource administration in the areas of employment, compensation, benefits, employee relations, and training.
• Experience working with benefit plans including retirement and insurance.
• Ability to keep information confidential and handle difficult situations with diplomacy and tact.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.   
• Ability to work under pressure and organize work to deliver high-quality products within established deadlines in a rapidly changing environment.   
• Exceptional written and oral communication skills, including the ability to establish cooperative relations with diverse personnel both within and outside North County Transit-San Diego Railroad.
• Demonstrated above-average proficiency in computer software programs, particularly the Microsoft Office Suite.  Experience with HRIS and Enterprise Resource Planning systems a plus.  

Physical Requirements  

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.   Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 

Ability to use the phone and computer for extended periods, manual dexterity to complete clerical functions, work with office equipment, and periodic lifting of up to 25 pounds is required.  Ability to hear, see and to communicate verbally to exchange information.   Ability to physically travel between District locations and other destinations, work in evenings when required, work in hazardous conditions, and negotiate a variety of different and irregular terrain as is typical along a railway right of way.  May be subject to fumes, odors, dusts, gases, chemicals.   Ability to walk, climb, balance, bend, carry, push, reach, sit, and stand.

Machines / Tools / Equipment

• Ability to operate a personal computer and Microsoft Office Suite programs.
• Ability to operate standard office equipment, including a fax and scanner machine, copy machine, and telephone. 
• Ability to carry and operate a mobile on-call device.