Human Resources Manager

The Human Resources Manager serves as the primary lead for employee relations, workplace investigations, and leave management across St. Vincent de Paul-Madison, while providing critical operational support to the Sr. Director of Human Resources. This role assumes day-to-day responsibility for complex HR matters while supporting the organization’s mission to serve neighbors in need with dignity and compassion.

The HR Manager works across a complex nonprofit organization that includes manufacturing-style processing operations, retail stores, food pantry services, pharmacy services, and administrative/program departments, applying consistent HR practices while adapting to the unique needs of each environment. This position requires strong judgment, discretion, and the ability to balance compassion with accountability in a mission-driven nonprofit setting.

• Serve as primary contact for employee relations matters
• Lead workplace investigations; ensure timely, fair, compliant outcomes
• Advise managers on performance management, discipline, and documentation; escalate high-risk issues
• Administer FMLA, WFMLA, ADA accommodations, and other leaves; ensure legal compliance
• Interpret employment laws; guide managers and employees on rights and processes
• Support HR operations, policy implementation, and risk mitigation
• Partner with leadership, payroll, and Sr. HR Director on HR decisions and communications
• Assist with recruiting, onboarding, and employee retention initiatives
• Promote engagement, inclusion, and a positive workplace culture
• Ensure Safeguarding Policy compliance (training, background checks)
• Maintain knowledge of HR laws and best practices
• Build relationships across departments and multi-site locations

This list of duties and responsibilities is not all inclusive and may be expanded to include other duties and responsibilities as management may deem necessary from time to time.

The HR Manager must have a passion for the mission of SVdP and a commitment to achieving this agency’s objectives.

• Bachelor’s degree in HR, Business Administration, or related field (or equivalent experience)
• 5+ years progressive HR experience, focused on employee relations & leave administration
• Experience supporting exempt & nonexempt staff across varied roles (e.g., production, retail, human services, admin)
• Proven ability to lead workplace investigations independently
• Strong knowledge of FMLA, WFMLA, ADA, employment law, and Wisconsin labor regulations
• Experience analyzing ER/leave trends and recommending solutions
• Background in nonprofit, manufacturing, retail, or human services environments
• Experience in multi-site organizations
• Ability to manage confidential matters with discretion
• Proficiency with HRIS systems (Paylocity, ADP, UKG, Workday) and HR data tracking
• Strong skills in Microsoft Office, Google Workspace, and HR software
• Excellent documentation skills (investigations, corrective actions, compliance)
• High emotional intelligence, sound judgment, and conflict-resolution ability
• Strong organizational skills; able to prioritize and manage multiple initiatives
• Ability to work independently in fast-paced, evolving environments
• Knowledge of HR best practices (recruitment, engagement, performance management, training)
• Proven ability to build trust across all organizational levels
• Collaborative, strategic thinker who can implement solutions
• Strong written, verbal, and presentation communication skills
• Commitment to safeguarding policies; ability to work respectfully across diverse populations
• Successful completion of background check and references required

• SHRM-CP, SHRM-SCP, PHR or SPHR certification
• Experience supervising HR staff or serving as a lead HR partner
• Familiarity with trauma-informed workplace practices, particularly in human services or community-based organizations
• Experience working in mission-driven or faith-based nonprofit organizations while maintaining inclusive, legally compliant HR practices
• Experience developing or delivering manager training on employee relations, documentation, and leave processes
• Experience working in mission-driven,…