Senior Human Resources Manager

The Senior Human Resources Manager is a member of the California Online Public Schools Human Resources department, reporting directly to the Director of Human Resources. This position holds primary responsibility for benefits administration, leave of absence and accommodations management, workers' compensation, employee safety, and the internal communications from the HR Department. The Senior HR Manager also provides oversight and quality review for the work of the Leave & Benefits Coordinator across these functions.

In addition to the core responsibilities described above, the Senior HR Manager contributes to policy development under the direction of the Director, supports internal communications and HRIS hub content strategy, adds a benefits orientation component to the overall employee experience, and assists with professional training and development. A formal HR degree is required. This position will commence on July 6, 2026.

Hiring process: We aim to move as quickly as possible. Qualified candidates will be invited to complete a one‑way digital interview. Please watch your email for instructions.These interviews have an expiration date.

Essential Responsibilities

Benefits Administration & Communication

• Own the organization's benefits strategy and administration, including plan oversight, vendor relationships, and program design.
• Design and execute a year-round benefits communication strategy, ensuring employees understand and can access their benefits throughout the year, not only during open enrollment.
• Lead open enrollment planning and execution in coordination with the organization's benefits broker.
• Research, evaluate, and launch an employee wellness program; lead strategy and framework development, with the Leave & Benefits Coordinator serving as the employee-facing delivery partner.
• Monitor benefits utilization trends and make recommendations to improve program effectiveness and employee awareness.
• Serve as the escalation point for complex benefits questions, disputes, and plan interpretation issues.
• Coordinate with the Director of Human Resources on insurance contract renewals, plan changes, and vendor performance reviews.
• Ensure accurate and timely administration of insurance-related processes, including enrollment data, claims coordination, and required reporting.

Leaves of Absence & Accommodations

• Provide oversight and quality review of the school’s full leave portfolio, ensuring FMLA, CFRA, state leave, and short-term disability cases are managed accurately and in compliance with applicable law across all states where CalOPS has employees.
• Serve as the escalation and final review layer for complex, ambiguous, or legally sensitive leave cases.
• Review and approve ADA accommodation requests, ensuring the interactive process is properly conducted, documented, and followed through with managers and employees.
• Partner with the Leave & Benefits Coordinator to build a standardized multi-state leave and benefits compliance framework.
• Ensure LOA payroll accuracy in coordination with the payroll team and Leave & Benefits Coordinator, including calculation of missed benefits deductions during leave periods.
• Monitor federal and state leave law developments across all states where CalOPS employs staff and communicate changes to the team.

Workers' Compensation & Employee Safety

• Provide oversight support for workers' compensation claims; review complex claims and serve as the escalation contact.
• Assist in developing employee safety programs and initiatives. 
• Ensure workers' compensation documentation, reporting, and resolution comply with applicable regulations across all relevant states.
• Partner with organizational leadership to identify and address workplace safety concerns and injury prevention opportunities.

Policy Development

• Contribute to org-wide HR policy development under the direction of the Director of Human Resources.
• Provide input on policy matters related to benefits, leaves, accommodations, and workers' compensation based on current regulatory requirements and best practice.
• Assist in the HR department's internal communications strategy, building a consistent cadence of staff-facing communications that keep employees informed and connected to available HR resources and programs.
• Partner with the HR team on the HRIS Company Hub, assisting with the communications and content strategy component of the build-out.
• Support the delivery of compliance-related training initiatives in partnership with HR team members.
• Bring formal HR expertise to the team through collaborative case work, policy consultation, and professional mentorship.
• Partner with the Director of Human Resources on proactive HR initiatives including stay interviews, FTE forecasting, and the HR engagement calendar.
• Apply independent judgment and initiative in addressing HR challenges, program gaps, and organizational needs.
• Maintain confidentiality and exercise sound professional judgment in all HR matters.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the Director of Human Resources.

Work Environment & Physical Requirements

Primarily performed from a home office with reliable high-speed internet and a quiet space suitable for student video sessions. Occasional in-person attendance required for the annual Back to School Conference and other events. Extended sitting and keyboard/mouse use up to 8 hours daily; hearing, speaking, and visual acuity to engage students virtually. At in-person events: standing/walking, occasional lifting up to 20 lbs (up to 40 lbs on rare occasions), pushing/pulling not exceeding 50 lbs. Reasonable accommodations available.

Minimum Qualifications

Master's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration; 

Minimum four years of progressive HR experience with increasing responsibility, including direct ownership of leave administration and/or benefits programs.

Demonstrated experience in benefits administration, including open enrollment management and insurance carrier relationships.

Deep knowledge of FMLA, CFRA, ADA, California SDI/PFL, workers' compensation, and multi-state employment compliance.

Experience managing leave and accommodations portfolios across multiple states, including California.

Excellent communication, organizational, and problem-solving skills.

Experience with HRIS systems.

Charter school, K–12 education, or nonprofit experience preferred.

DMEC CLMS (Certified Leave Management Specialist) or equivalent leave certification preferred.

Experience designing or launching an employee wellness program preferred. 

Active HR certification preferred: SHRM-CP, SHRM-SCP, PHR, or SPHR.

Salary Range: $121,083.97 - $147,178.07

California Online Public Schools is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to creating an inclusive and diverse workplace. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws.

California Online Public Schools is committed to fair, equitable, and transparent compensation practices. In accordance with California’s Pay Transparency requirements (Labor Code §432.3 and SB 1162), we provide a clear pay scale for every job posting and internal job description.

Pay Scale Disclosure:

For each position, we publish the salary range or hourly wage range that the organization reasonably expects to pay for that role at the time of posting. Actual compensation is determined based on factors such as job-related skills, experience, education, training, credentials, internal equity, budget, and organizational needs.