Job Description
Maryland Legal Aid (MLA) advocates with and for Marylanders experiencing poverty to achieve equity and social justice through free civil legal services, community collaboration, and systemic change. Since 1911, Maryland Legal Aidhas provided high-quality legal aid to vulnerable, low-income people and communities – helping to remedy their civil legal issues and become empowered to overcome challenges, achieve stability and independence, and reach their goals. MLA also identifies and seeks to remedy systemic barriers. MLA’s core work includes eviction and foreclosure prevention, family law, children’s rights, consumer protection, securing public benefits, and access to healthcare. MLA advocates operate primarily through the courts, via individual representation of indigent clients, but also engage in impact litigation, public communication and outreach, and policy advocacy.
Through this holistic approach, Maryland Legal Aid serves to amplify the voices of tens of thousands of economically disadvantaged and vulnerable Marylanders each year and seeks to be a leader in the legal services field nationwide.
About The Role The Senior Director of Human Resources oversees the efficient and effective delivery of HR programs, policies, and services that support MLA’s employees statewide. This role will focus on ensuring HR operations are guided by our organization’s values, current best practices, continuously improved to meet evolving organizational needs, and delivered with a commitment to consistency, compliance, and service excellence. The Senior Director will work closely with the Deputy Chief People Officer to streamline processes, enhance systems, and ensure that HR functions contribute to a positive, professional, and productive work environment across all MLA offices.
The Senior Director will actively support People & Culture initiatives by ensuring that HR policies, processes, and practices align with MLA’s commitment to a respectful, professional, and high-performing workplace. This position offers the opportunity to modernize HR systems, strengthen our culture and the employee experience, and contribute meaningfully to MLA’s statewide mission of delivering high-quality, impactful legal services to Maryland’s most vulnerable residents.
Responsibilities HR Operations & Process Improvement
- Oversee the delivery and continuous improvement of HR programs and services, ensuring they meet organizational needs, are fully compliant, and reflect industry best practices.
- Partner with the Deputy Chief People & Culture Officer and other senior leaders to assess and enhance HR systems for greater efficiency, effectiveness, and transparency.
- Implement technology and data-driven, employee-focused solutions to support informed decision-making and streamlined operations.
Talent Strategy & Workforce Planning
- Oversee strategic talent acquisition and workforce planning to ensure MLA attracts and retains top talent in a competitive nonprofit legal services market.
- Support the development and refinement of onboarding and orientation programs to accelerate employee integration and success.
- Support initiatives that enhance employee retention, engagement, and career progression opportunities.
- Align HR practices with organizational culture-building initiatives led by the People & Culture function.
Employee Relations Leadership & Support
- Provide strategic guidance and support to managers and senior leaders in addressing complex or sensitive employee relations issues in a manner consistent with organizational policies, applicable laws, and MLA’s Collective Bargaining Agreement.
- Support the development and consistent application of fair and transparent employee relations practices and policies that contribute to a respectful and productive workplace.
- Monitor workplace trends, proactively identifying potential issues and recommending preventive strategies to reduce conflict and promote positive working relationships.
- Support the development of manager training and resources to strengthen supervisors’ capabilities in handling performance and workplace concerns effectively.
Compliance, Risk Management & Governance
- Ensure HR practices fully comply with applicable federal, state, and local employment laws, as well as MLA’s Collective Bargaining Agreement.
- Provide oversight of HR-related risk management, policy development, and compliance monitoring.
- Collaborate with leadership on labor relations strategies, including negotiations, grievance processes, and proactive labor-management engagement.
Data-Driven Decision-Making
- Establish metrics and reporting tools to measure HR effectiveness, workforce trends, and organizational health.
- Provide actionable insights to the Deputy Chief People Officer and leadership to guide resource allocation, program investments, and process improvements.
Qualifications - Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree preferred.
- Minimum 8 years of progressive HR leadership experience.
- Experience in a unionized environment strongly preferred, including:
- Supporting or administering collective bargaining agreements
- Building collaborative labor–management relationships
- Navigating grievance resolution and workplace initiatives
- Proven ability to improve HR operations, implement process efficiencies, and integrate best practices into organizational systems.
- Strong understanding of employment law, compliance frameworks, employee relations strategies, and collective bargaining environments.
- Demonstrated ability to influence at all levels of an organization and support change in complex, multi-site settings.
- Strong business acumen, with experience in budget development, workforce analytics, and operational planning.
- Exceptional communication, relationship-building, and problem-solving skills.
- Commitment to fostering a workplace culture that values professionalism, mutual respect, and equitable access to opportunity.
- PHR, SPHR, SHRM-CP, and/or SHRM-SCP certification.
- Experience in a mission-driven, nonprofit, or legal services environment.
Work Environment Although the position will be based in the Towson office, the Senior Director will work throughout the State and with all 12 offices, and more than 300 staff. This is a hybrid role with a minimum of two days per week worked in person. More days may be required to attend leadership and other relevant in-person meetings. Work duties are typically performed at a desk with regular interaction in person, via telephone, videoconference, instant messaging, and email.
Benefits The salary range for this position is $110,000 - $130,000. In addition, MLA offers employees a comprehensive benefits package that includes health, dental, and vision insurance, life insurance, a 401(k) retirement plan, three weeks of paid time off, paid sick leave, 14 annual paid holidays, and more.
Application And Additional Requirements If you are ready to join in our important mission and ensure dignity, equity and justice for all, please submit a resume and cover letter describing your interest and qualifications with your online application.
Note that references will be required at the time of the final interview.
Maryland Legal Aid is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic as established by law. We are committed to creating an inclusive and respectful workplace, reflective of our core values, for all employees.
Job Tags
Work at office, Local area, 2 days per week,