Job Description

Job Description

WHAT WE DO

The Catholic Diocese of San Diego is dedicated to the mission of Jesus Christ, focusing on love, service, mercy, and justice. Serving over 1.3 million Catholics across San Diego and Imperial Counties, the Diocese includes 96 parishes, 41 elementary schools, and seven high schools. We are a diverse, multilingual community committed to creating an environment where all members—clergy, religious, and lay staff—can grow personally and professionally while contributing meaningfully to the Church’s mission.

At the heart of our work is a commitment to care for the most vulnerable and serve the broader community through social services, educational programs, and parish support initiatives. We seek to cultivate a workplace and organizational culture rooted in collaboration, accountability, and shared responsibility, where employees feel valued, empowered, and aligned with the Diocese’s mission and values.

The Catholic Diocese of San Diego offers programs that support spiritual growth, community engagement, and social justice for individuals and families across San Diego and Imperial Counties. Key initiatives include evangelization and catechetical ministry, mental health support, prisoner reentry, immigration assistance, and foster care and adoption support.

LEADERSHIP & CULTURE

Under the guidance of Bishop Michael Pham, the Diocese fosters a culture of collaborative leadership, inclusivity, and spiritual discernment. Leadership is shared among clergy, religious, and lay staff, with active encouragement of women in leadership roles. The Diocese emphasizes empathy, active listening, and engagement across diverse communities. Programs like the Office for Ethnic and Intercultural Communities support cultural unity, empower local leaders, and promote dialogue to strengthen organizational cohesion.

Key Programs and Initiatives:

• Workforce Engagement & Communication: Systems and forums to ensure staff are informed, connected, and empowered to provide input and feedback.
• Performance & Recognition: Processes to assess, support, and celebrate employee contributions while aligning performance with organizational goals.
• Professional Growth & Well-Being: Opportunities for continuous learning, skills development, and personal support to foster a motivated, high-performing workforce.

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS

• Salary – $140,000 - $150,000 annually.
• Comprehensive Medical, dental, vision, disability, life, and AD&D insurance
• Vacation and Sick time
• Pension Plans: Defined Benefit Plan and 403b, Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA), and Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

LOCATION

This is a full-time role located at Pastoral Center - 3888 Paducah Drive, San Diego CA 92117.

POSITION SUMMARY

The Human Resources Director provides leadership, guidance, and hands-on support to the Pastoral Center (PC), Diocesan parishes, and schools on all HR matters, including conflict resolution, parish and school restructuring, employment law, diocesan policy interpretation, wage and hour issues, employee classification, HR reviews, and organizational planning. This role also oversees benefits and compensation, recruitment, hiring, onboarding, workers’ compensation, and HRIS administration. The Director reports to Chief Financial Officer Shirley Pajanor, a 17-year veteran of the Diocese.

Year one priorities for this role include:

• Needs Assessment: Evaluate and modernize HR functions, including technology, to ensure an effective HR department.
• HR Department Development: Actively engage with and mentor the HR team to develop a roadmap for the implementation of an organization-wide fundamental HR infrastructure.
• Talent Acquisition and Development: Support the organization’s recruitment, retention, and onboarding strategies. Fill the Associate HR Director role, providing leadership oversight, guidance, and support to ensure the HR team operates effectively and achieves organizational goals.

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

• Serve as a strategic thought partner and advisor to leadership, driving conversations on people and culture. Develop and implement strategies to foster a thriving workplace culture.
• Develop and implement comprehensive strategies for workforce planning, talent acquisition, performance management, compensation, benefits, wellness, and safety.
• Enhance the organization's employee relations strategy by developing and implementing progressive policies and procedures that reflect industry’s best practices. Foster strong, collaborative relationships with staff at all levels, emphasizing trust, respect, and open communication.
• Function as the primary communicator on employment-related matters, facilitating conflict resolution, engagement, and feedback programs in support of positive and productive work environments.
• Uphold the highest standards of ethical standards by ensuring compliance with all federal, state, and local employment laws, funding source requirements, and industry best practices.
• Remain at the forefront of emerging HR trends and legislation, providing expert guidance and implementing innovative HR practices to drive organizational success.
• Serve as a trusted advisor to Pastoral Center leadership, pastors, principals, and location administrators by providing coaching, counseling, conflict resolution, and hands-on support on a wide range of HR matters.
• Oversee HR staff, providing training, guidance, and supervision to ensure effective HR operations and consistent application of policies and practices.
• Manage the financial performance and administration of HR programs, including employee benefits and the Lay Employee Pension Plan, ensuring efficiency and compliance.
• Review and resolve employee complaints, respond to requests for assistance, and proactively address potential problem areas while minimizing legal and organizational risk.
• Deliver ongoing professional development and HR education for leadership and staff, fostering organizational growth, engagement, and HR competency across the organization.

BACKGROUND PROFILE

• Deeply supportive of the Catholic Dioceses’ identity, committed to its mission and values, dedicated to fostering a positive, empathetic, and inclusive community.
• Demonstrated hands-on, progressive HR leadership experience encompassing team management, organizational development, employee relations, labor regulations, regulatory compliance, and best practices in HR systems, policies, and procedures.
• Adaptable and compassionate, with strategic and tactical thinking skills, adept at analysis, planning, and change management, and responsive to shifting priorities and organizational needs.
• A proactive leader with experience building and maintaining positive and inclusive workplace cultures; a passion for developing staff, and promoting a collaborative, cross-cultural understanding to build stronger teams and empowerment for all staff.
• Excellent communication skills, written and oral; an active listener and respectful communicator with the ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with management, employees, and stakeholders.

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