Human Resources and Operations Director

Human Resources and Operations Director

Join to apply for the Human Resources and Operations Director role at Immigrant Legal Advocacy Project (ILAP)

Based in Portland, Maine, with a satellite office in Lewiston, the Immigrant Legal Advocacy Project (ILAP) is Maine’s only statewide immigration legal aid organization. ILAP’s mission is to help low‑income immigrants improve their legal status and to work for more just and humane laws and policies affecting immigrants. ILAP’s work includes direct legal services for over 3,000 clients each year; education and outreach to immigrant communities and service providers;

and systemic advocacy on local, state, and federal immigration law issues.

ILAP is committed to having a respectful, collaborative, and equitable work environment, with equal opportunity for all employees. We hire candidates based on qualifications and comply with all federal and state equal‑employment laws. We encourage applications from individuals with lived immigrant experience, as well as those from other underrepresented and historically marginalized groups. We believe in building an organization that is reflective of the communities that we serve and is diverse in work background, experience, education, race, color, national origin, sex, age, religion, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, ancestry, national origin, or sensory, mental, and physical abilities.

We believe that having a diverse and equitable organization strengthens our programming and services and advances our organizational values.

POSITION DESCRIPTION

The Human Resources and Operations Director is responsible for the development and smooth functioning of ILAP’s human‑resources administration and internal operations. This involves reviewing, developing, and implementing the organization’s policies, procedures, and initiatives, and ensuring that they are equitable, effective, efficient, and in compliance with professional standards and legal requirements.

This position is also responsible for supporting ILAP supervisors and staff in building and retaining a resilient and equitable work environment that promotes staff well‑being and collaboration. Knowledge of trauma‑informed principles is helpful, as ILAP staff work in a highly stressful environment with clients who have experienced significant violence and persecution.

Human resources and operations activities should be grounded in equity and transparency with an opportunity for meaningful staff input when appropriate.

• Lead the review, revision, and development of the organization’s personnel policies, procedures, and initiatives, including ILAP’s compensation model, in consultation with leadership, staff, and the Board HR Committee. Ensure policies are consistently administered and aligned with organization goals, mission, and culture, and that they comply with professional standards and legal requirements.
• Research and monitor benefit plans and policies, and work with insurance brokers to secure plans optimal for the organization.
• Manage the organization’s human resources functions and administration.
• Oversee the recruitment, onboarding, and offboarding processes for employees, and manage the administrative aspects of recruiting, onboarding, and offboarding for interns and volunteers.
• Provide guidance and support to supervisors and staff navigating workplace challenges, including conflict resolution, performance concerns, and career development; deliver tools and resources that foster success and well‑being.
• Lead and manage internal investigations related to workplace complaints, discrimination, harassment, and policy violations, in coordination with leadership; ensure timely and impartial resolution processes.
• Design and facilitate training programmes on EEO compliance, anti‑)') ... etc ...