Director of Human Resources Operations - San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance

San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance is an international, nonprofit conservation organization with two front doors: the San Diego Zoo and the San Diego Zoo Safari Park. We integrate wildlife health and care, science, and education to develop sustainable conservation solutions.

HOW YOU WILL IMPACT OUR MISSION The Director of Human Resources Operations provides strategic and operational leadership for the HR functions that support more than 3,000 team members across San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance, including HRIS, Recruiting, Total Rewards, and Work & Family Programs. Reporting to the Chief Human Resources Officer, this role leads a team of more than 15 professionals and strengthens the team member experience by building effective, consistent, compliant, and service-oriented processes. The Director partners across all levels of the organization to translate complex HR, systems, compensation, benefits, and employment requirements into clear guidance and practical solutions, while developing people, improving processes, and supporting organizational goals.
WHAT YOU WILL DO

• Leads, coaches, and develops a team of more than 15 HR professionals across HRIS, Recruiting, Total Rewards, and Work & Family Programs. Establishes clear expectations, builds leadership capability, supports accountability and collaboration, and creates an environment where team members can deliver high-quality service and continue to grow.
• Oversees HRIS center of excellence and provides strategic and operational oversight of HR systems and data, including the HRIS platform, data integrity, reporting, system configuration, and process workflows. Partners with HR and cross-functional stakeholders to optimize system capabilities, improve the user experience, and support reliable, timely, and accurate people data; Dayforce experience is preferred.
• Oversees Talent center of excellence and recruiting operations and its practices to support organization-wide workforce needs. Partners with hiring leaders to establish effective, consistent, and timely recruiting processes, strengthen candidate and hiring-manager experiences, use data to monitor outcomes, and continuously improve sourcing, selection, and hiring practices.
• Oversees Total Rewards center of excellence including but not limited to leading compensation program and processes, compensation administration, market analysis, job structures, pay practices, and annual compensation planning. Partners with the CHRO, Finance, HR Business Partners, and leaders to apply guidelines consistently, explain complex compensation concepts clearly, and support equitable, informed, and fiscally responsible decisions. Also oversees benefits administration, partners with vendors, internal stakeholders, and appropriate advisors to resolve issues and improve service.
• Oversees Work & Family Programs center of excellence including but not limited to related team member support, including leave administration and workers' compensation processes. Ensures processes are accurate, responsive, well-coordinated, and compliant; experience with leaves and/or workers' compensation is strongly preferred.
• Maintains awareness of evolving federal, state, and local employment requirements, labor laws, regulations, and HR best practices. Works with the CHRO, Legal, and other partners to assess operational impacts, update procedures and guidance, support compliance, and ensure HR practices are implemented consistently across the organization, including in a complex and diverse workforce.
• Uses metrics, feedback, and operational analysis to identify trends, risks, service gaps, and opportunities for process improvement. Develops and standardizes practical workflows, documentation, controls, and communication that simplify complex topics for team members and leaders, strengthen operational effectiveness, and support organizational priorities.

WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR
JOB EXPERIENCE

• Requires 8 or more years of progressively responsible experience in human resources, including experience in multiple HR disciplines such as HRIS, talent, compensation, benefits, or HR operations. Demonstrated experience leading and developing teams, managing complex processes, and partnering with stakeholders across an organization. Experience in a large, complex, multi-site, union and non-union, or nonprofit environment is valued.

EDUCATION AND CERTIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's Degree In Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related field required.
• Master's Degree n Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related field preferred.
• SHRM-CP or SHRM-SCP, PHR or SPHR preferred.

SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE

• Strong people leadership, coaching, and talent-development skills, including the ability to set expectations, develop managers and team members, provide feedback, and build an accountable, collaborative team.
• Demonstrated process-improvement mindset with the ability to assess workflows, identify root causes, simplify processes, establish standards, and lead sustainable operational improvements.
• Working knowledge across core HR operations, including HRIS and people data, recruiting, compensation, benefits administration, and applicable employment practices; Dayforce experience preferred.
• Knowledge of evolving federal, state, and local employment laws and regulations, with strong attention to detail and the ability to identify compliance risks and partner with Legal and other subject-matter experts as appropriate.
• Ability to analyze HR data, identify trends and risks, develop useful metrics, and translate findings into practical recommendations and measurable improvements.
• Ability to partner effectively with team members and leaders at all levels, build trust across diverse stakeholder groups, and navigate sensitive or complex issues with sound judgment and discretion.
• Strong project management, prioritization, and organizational skills, including the ability to manage competing priorities, meet deadlines, and lead cross-functional initiatives.
• Demonstrated ability to lead change, influence without relying solely on authority, and implement new processes and systems in a thoughtful, service-oriented manner.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and HR technology, reporting, and data tools; ability to learn and evaluate systems and tools that improve operational effectiveness.
• Excellent written, verbal, interpersonal, and presentation skills, with the ability to communicate with tact, clarity, and diplomacy.
• Commitment to confidentiality, accuracy, team member service, and practices that support SDZWA's mission, values, and culture of belonging.

SOME OF THE REWARDS YOU WILL ENJOY AS A TEAM MEMBER

• Free admission to the San Diego Zoo and the San Diego Zoo Safari Park
• Family Passes
• Complimentary Tickets
• Free Parking at the San Diego Zoo & San Diego Zoo Safari Park
• Local and In-House Discounts
• Employee Assistance Program
• Wellness Program

IMPORTANT DETAILS

• Location: San Diego, CA
• Position Type: Salary Full-Time Exempt Position
• Salary Range: $149,984 to $168,732

About The Salary Ranges

The posted salary range represents the full compensation potential for this role over time. Initial hiring offers are typically made within the lower to mid portion of the range and are based on a combination of relevant experience, skills, qualifications, internal equity, and organizational considerations. Placement near the top of the range is generally reserved for individuals who demonstrate sustained performance, growth, and expanded responsibilities in the role over time.

Fraudulent Recruiting
Beware of fraudulent recruiting. Legitimate San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance contacts will use an @sdzwa.org email address. We do not request money, checks, equipment orders, or sensitive personal data during the recruitment process. San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance only conducts interviews via phone, Zoom, Teams or in-person.

If you have been asked for any of the above, or believe you have been contacted by someone posing as a San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance employee, please e-mail sdzwacareers@sdzwa.org. If you feel that you have been the victim of fraud, please contact your financial institution(s) immediately.

At San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance, we celebrate our differences and foster a culture of belonging. Diversity strengthens our employees, enriches our guests' experiences, deepens our connection to our community, and supports the wildlife we serve.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, national origin, disability, veteran status, or other legally protected status.

If you require a reasonable accommodation to complete an application, please email your request to sdzwacareers@sdzwa.org and provide the job title and location to which you are applying.

As a Federal Contractor, San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance is required to participate in the E-Verify Program to confirm eligibility to work in the United States. We are not offering sponsorship for this position at this time.

San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance is a drug free workplace.