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Job Description
About Us Reporting directly to the Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO) , the Senior Human Resources Director plays a vital leadership role in advancing Salud's HR strategy and ensuring organizational excellence. You'll oversee the recruitment, benefits, and talent acquisition divisions , while providing support and guidance to the employee relations team . This position acts as a trusted advisor to leadership and serves as the acting CHRO in their absence . This role embodies Salud's mission, vision, and values—driving excellence, collaboration, innovation, respect, community commitment, and accountability. Key Responsibilities Human Resources Leadership Oversee HRIS operations for accuracy, efficiency, and effectiveness. Develop and maintain standard operating procedures and documentation. Advise leadership on HR, employee/labor relations, benefits, leave, workers' compensation, and recruitment. Establish clear, organization-wide HR communication strategies. Contribute to HR policy development and compliance. Evaluate training initiatives and recommend improvements. Represent HR on committees as assigned by the CHRO. Employee Relations Support and advise the Director of Employee Relations on complex labor matters. Partner with management to resolve employee grievances and disciplinary actions. Ensure compliance with state/federal labor laws and collective bargaining agreements. Collaborate with union officials and management to implement labor relations policies. Provide expert guidance on terminations and arbitration. Benefits Administration Lead and supervise the Benefits Administration Team . Oversee and optimize benefit programs to maintain competitiveness and cost-efficiency. Develop clear employee communications for open enrollment and benefit updates. Manage Workers' Compensation , Leave of Absence , and Unemployment Claims . Ensure compliance with ERISA, COBRA, FMLA, 5500s, and Health Care Reform regulations. Talent Acquisition Build and mentor a high-performing recruiting team. Develop scalable, data-driven recruiting strategies aligned with Salud's growth. Partner with management to identify hiring needs and deliver top talent. Keep job descriptions current and ensure diversity and compliance. Continuously enhance recruiting processes for efficiency and candidate experience.
HR and labor relations laws and best practices. Recruitment, benefits, and HRIS systems (e.g., Paylocity, ADP, Paycom). Emerging HR technologies and trends.
Skills:
Exceptional communication, leadership, and interpersonal skills. Strong problem-solving, negotiation, and conflict resolution. Advanced organizational and project management skills. Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and HR systems.
Abilities:
Handle confidential information with discretion. Lead diverse teams with empathy and integrity. Adapt to shifting priorities and multiple projects. Promote diversity, equity, and inclusion throughout the organization. Qualifications Bachelor's Degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or related field (or 10 years of equivalent experience) . Master's Degree preferred. 8+ years of progressive HR leadership experience (healthcare preferred). 5+ years in a unionized environment required. Demonstrated expertise in HR compliance, policy, and strategy. Physical Demands Ability to sit, stand, walk, and lift up to 25 lbs. Mobility to travel between sites, events, and meetings as needed. Proficiency in using computers and HR software. Clear verbal communication for presentations and meetings.
Employer-paid Medical, Dental, Vision, and Life Insurance (24+ hours/week) 19 days PTO and 12 paid holidays per year 401(k) with employer contribution Voluntary Long-Term Disability HRA and FSA options Benefits available on a pro-rated basis for part-time employees Salud Para La Gente At Salud Para La Gente (Salud), we believe that everyone should have the opportunity to live a healthy life. Our highly qualified healthcare professionals are deeply committed to community health. Our commitment to working together for a healthy community. The Salud staff is fully committed to health equity. Our services are for everyone who comes through our doors, regardless of their ability to pay. A Team-Based Approach to Care We deliver team-based, patient-centered primary care that promotes patient engagement and improves health outcomes. Our collaborative approach helps us provide comprehensive primary care services to people of all ages, including family health, pediatrics, dental, vision, wellness and counseling, and specialty care as well as insurance enrollment and health education. Your skills and expertise are welcome at Salud! "I am so thankful for my years working at Salud and being a part of my patients' lives. I became a physician because I wanted to provide care to those who needed it most." Dr.
Devon Francis Chief Medical Officer Pronouns:
(she/her/ella) Employment Non-Discrimination Salud is an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran status, or genetic information. Salud is committed to providing access, equal opportunity and reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities in employment, its services, programs, and activities. To request reasonable accommodation, contact the Salud Human Resources Department at 831-728-8250 or at HRDept@splg.org . Community Information - Watsonville, California Located in Santa Cruz County along California's Central Coast, Watsonville offers physicians and their families a unique blend of coastal access, agricultural heritage, cultural diversity, and proximity to both Monterey Bay and the greater Santa Cruz area. Salud Para La Gente's location on Nielson Street places providers near established residential neighborhoods, schools, local businesses, and key routes connecting Watsonville, Freedom, Aptos, Santa Cruz, and Monterey County communities. Watsonville is known for its strong sense of community and its deep roots in the Pajaro Valley, one of California's well-known agricultural regions. The city offers a more relaxed and affordable Central Coast lifestyle compared to many nearby coastal communities, while still providing access to beaches, hiking, farm stands, wineries, local restaurants, and family-friendly activities. The City of Watsonville describes the area as offering everything from agricultural tourism and beach days to wine tasting and rugged hikes. For physicians who enjoy the outdoors, the area provides access to the Monterey Bay coastline, nearby beaches, wetlands, trails, and scenic open space. Residents can explore local favorites such as the Watsonville Wetlands, Pajaro Valley countryside, Santa Cruz County beaches, and nearby redwood and mountain destinations. Watsonville also offers convenient day-trip access to Santa Cruz, Capitola, Monterey, Carmel, and Big Sur, making it a strong fit for physicians who value both community-based practice and Central Coast recreation. Families are served by Pajaro Valley Unified School District, which supports more than 15,000 students across 33 schools in Watsonville, Aptos, Freedom, Pajaro, Las Lomas, and surrounding communities. The district highlights its focus on safe, inclusive, and engaging learning environments for students. Salud Para La Gente also offers physicians the opportunity to practice in a mission-driven community health setting. The organization's mission is to provide high-quality, comprehensive, cost-effective healthcare that is responsive to the needs of the communities it serves, with values centered on service, dignity, and equity. With its coastal location, strong community identity, agricultural heritage, family-friendly neighborhoods, and meaningful access to underserved patient populations, Watsonville is an attractive practice location for physicians seeking a purpose-driven career and a balanced Central Coast lifestyle. Facility & Address Salud Para La Gente 45 Nielson St Watsonville
