AACRE Managing Director of HR and People Support

Position: AACRE Managing Director of HR and People Support

Organization: Asian Americans for Civil Rights and Equality

Compensation: $145,000 – $175,000 annually

Hours: 40 hours per week

FLSA status: Exempt

Location: Hybrid virtual and in-person in San Francisco

Reports to: AACRE Executive Director

Deadline: Open until filled

About CAA, AACRE, and Stop AAPI Hate

Chinese for Affirmative Action (CAA) was founded in 1969 to protect the civil and political rights of Chinese Americans and to advance multiracial democracy in the United States. Today, CAA is a progressive voice in and on behalf of the broader Asian American and Pacific Islander community that advocates for systemic change to protect immigrant rights, promote language diversity, and remedy racial and social injustice. At the grassroots level, CAA community building work nurtures the ability of immigrants to participate fully in civic life. These activities include direct services, leadership development, and civic engagement with limited-English proficient newcomers and immigrants. At the systemic level, CAA leads advocacy, communications, and movement building efforts to improve public policy, shape public discourse, and catalyze social change. 

In 2014, CAA helped to launch the Asian Americans for Civil Rights and Equality (AACRE) network that focuses on long-term movement building, capacity infrastructure, and leadership support for Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders committed to social justice. Including CAA, there are currently 11 groups in AACRE each with different strengths and programs undergirded by shared social justice values. Fiscal sponsorship, administrative, and different aspects of HR, IT, and operational support are provided centrally for all of these groups so they can focus on their core programs. 

More recently in 2020, CAA, along with AAPI Equity Alliance and the San Francisco State University Asian American Studies Department, launched the Stop AAPI Hate (SAH) coalition to document and respond to incidents of hate at the local, state, and national levels. The mission of SAH is to advance equity, justice, and power by dismantling systemic racism and building a multiracial movement to end anti-Asian American and Pacific Islander hate.

Most Stop AAPI Hate coalition staff are based at CAA.

CAA, Stop AAPI Hate coalition, AACRE, and the member groups of the AACRE network are uniquely positioned as leaders in the broader social justice ecosystem and Asian American community across the country.

Position Overview 

The AACRE Managing Director for Human Resources and People Support will oversee all aspects of human resources management and people strategy, ensuring alignment with the organization and network’s mission and values. This role combines strategic leadership with hands-on management to create a supportive, inclusive, and high-performing work environment. The ideal candidate will be a proven leader with a deep understanding of HR best practices, experience in the social justice movement, and the ability to foster a culture of collaboration and continuous improvement. 

This role leads a critical function of the AACRE strategic plan to appropriately support roughly 75+ full-time staff on the core CAA, AACRE program and capacity, and SAH teams, and another 50 on the staff of other AACRE groups including Asian Prisoner Support Committee, Asian Refugees United, Hmong Innovating Politics, and Lavender Phoenix. The Managing Director is a part of AACRE’s senior leadership team and will work closely with all parts of the organization including the AACRE Board of Trustees. The Managing Director will be charged with growing the entire AACRE HR and People Supports team to ensure our programmatic work is sustainable and high-impact, and to drive our organizational culture forward.

The current team consists of a Senior Human Resources Manager and a Human Resources Coordinator position. An exempt position, the Managing Director reports to the AACRE Executive Director and will work remotely and in the CAA San Francisco office.

Key Responsibilities  

Strategic Leadership

• Develop and implement HR and people operations strategies that support the entire network’s mission and goals. 
• Advise senior leadership on HR and organizational development issues, providing insights and recommendations to enhance overall organizational effectiveness. 
• Ensure alignment of HR policies and practices with all of the network’s values including liberation, creativity, collaboration, and solidarity.
• Lead critical internal diversity, inclusion, equity and transformative justice initiatives.  

Talent Management 

• Lead initiatives across the entire AACRE network to enhance employee engagement, satisfaction, and retention. 
• Oversee the recruitment, selection, and onboarding processes at CAA, Stop AAPI Hate, and AACRE programs and capacity team to attract and retain top talent committed to the organization’s mission.
• Design and implement performance and feedback systems at CAA, Stop AAPI Hate, and AACRE programs and capacity team that promote growth, accountability, and effectiveness, and model systems for other groups within the AACRE network..

Employee Relations and Support

• Foster a positive and inclusive workplace culture through effective communication, conflict resolution, and employee support programs. 
• Manage employee relations issues including with employee union, ensuring fair and consistent application of policies and procedures. 
• Provide guidance and support on matters related to employee well-being, diversity, and inclusion. 

Training and Development

• Identify and address organizational and network training needs, developing programs that build skills and enhance leadership capabilities. 
• Promote continuous learning and professional development opportunities for staff at all levels. 

Compliance and Risk Management

• Ensure compliance with all relevant labor laws, regulations, and organizational policies. 
• Oversee the development and implementation of HR policies and procedures, updating them as needed to reflect best practices and legal requirements. 
• Manage risk by maintaining accurate employee records and overseeing health and safety initiatives. 

Compensation and Benefits

• Manage and continuously improve our competitive compensation and benefits programs that attract and retain talented staff. 
• Regularly review and update compensation structures to ensure equity and market competitiveness. 

HR Operations

• Oversee HR operations, including payroll, benefits administration, and HR information systems (HRIS). 
• Utilize data and analytics to drive HR decision-making and measure the effectiveness of HR initiatives. 

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business or Public Sector Administration, or a related field; Master’s degree preferred. 
• A minimum of 7-10 years of progressive HR experience, with at least 5 years in a leadership role. 
• Demonstrated commitment to social justice and experience working in mission-driven organizations. 
• Passion for AACRE’s mission, values, and aspirations, and ability to render these values into practice. 
• In-depth knowledge of HR best practices, labor laws, and compliance requirements. 
• Strong strategic thinking, problem-solving, and decision-making skills. 
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to build relationships at all levels of the organization. 
• Proven ability to lead and manage change in a dynamic environment. 
• Experience with HRIS and other HR technology solutions. 
• PHR/SPHR or SHRM-CP/SHRM-SCP certification is preferred.

To Apply

To apply, please submit your cover letter and resume at the following link: https://bit.ly/3S0dEnN. In your cover letter, please address how your experience and principles align with AACRE’s and the position’s requirements, and highlight relevant achievements. Applications without cover letters and resumes will not be considered. 

AACRE is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. This position description aims to attract candidates who are not only skilled in HR and people operations but are also passionate about social justice and committed to fostering an inclusive and equitable workplace.