Human Resources Director

Human Resources Director

University of West Los Angeles (UWLA)

Location: Inglewood, CA

Position Overview

The University of West Los Angeles (UWLA) is seeking an experienced and strategic Human Resources Director to lead and oversee all aspects of the university's human resources operations. This role is responsible for developing and implementing HR policies, ensuring legal compliance, supporting leadership, and fostering a positive and high-performing workplace culture.

The ideal candidate is a seasoned HR professional with strong leadership experience, deep knowledge of California employment law, and a background in higher education or similarly regulated environments.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership

Maintain, develop, and implement HR strategies aligned with UWLA's mission and growth objectives

Serve as a trusted advisor and partner to help guide the executive leadership in HR matters

Sustain and build scalable HR systems and processes

Takes ownership and is proactive to the HR needs of the institution

Compliance & Risk Management

Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local employment laws

Oversee, maintain, and develop policies and employee handbooks

Conduct and/or manage investigations and employee relations issues

Talent Acquisition & Retention

Oversee full-cycle recruitment (onboarding through separation)

Develop and implement hiring strategies

Implement onboarding and retention programs

Employee Relations

Provide guidance and take ownership of performance and discipline review process

Foster a professional and inclusive culture

Handle sensitive and privileged employee matters

Compensation & Benefits

Make recommendations for compensation structures and benefits

Conduct salary benchmarking

Oversee payroll coordination

Performance Management & Development

Implement and initiate the oversight of performance reviews

Support employee growth and training

HR Operations

Oversee the management of HR systems and recordkeeping

Ensure audit readiness and compliance

Maintain confidentiality of records and communications

University Operations:

Collaborate with department heads to streamline and improve operational processes.

Coordinate facility management and maintenance tasks.

Support the planning and execution of university events and activities.

Identify areas for process improvement and implement solutions as needed.

Assist the University President on various tasks and projects.

Qualifications

Required

Bachelor's degree in HR, Business, or related field

5+ years HR experience, including leadership

Strong knowledge of California employment law

Experience in employee relations and compliance

Ability to come into the office in Los Angeles/Culver City or Woodland Hills at least once a month.

Preferred

Master's degree in HR, Business, or related field

SHRM or PHR certification

Experience in higher education or regulated environments

Familiarity with immigration-related employment frameworks

Experience in the Private For-Profit sector

Familiarity with Title IX of the Education Amendments Act of 1972 is a federal civil rights law (20 U.S.C. §1681-§1688)

Key Competencies

Strategic thinking

Strong communication skills

High discretion and professionalism

Problem-solving and conflict resolution

Compensation

Competitive salary commensurate with experience, plus benefits including health, retirement, and paid time off. The salary range for this position is $100,000-$120,000 per year, based on a good faith estimate of what we reasonably expect to pay at hire. Actual compensation will depend on factors such as experience and skills.

Why UWLA

Join a mission-driven institution dedicated to student success and global impact. This is an opportunity to build and shape HR infrastructure at a growing university.

UWLA is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. All employment decisions are based on business needs, job requirements, and individual qualifications, without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran status, disability status, age, ancestry, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.