Senior Director Human Resources

Introduction

We are conducting a search for a Senior Director of Human Resources for our client, American Jewish University (www.aju.edu).

Located in Bel Air, California, American Jewish University (AJU) is a fully accredited university offering student-focused education through innovative programs. AJU is a pluralistic liberal arts university, providing an accessible and open environment for all expressions of Judaism and other cultures. Their beautiful AJU campuses and dedicated faculty and staff provide a welcoming environment infused with creativity, passion for learning and optimism about the future.

Our client is seeking a dynamic, experienced Senior Director of Human Resources.  Reporting to the Vice President for Finance and Administration, this position is a key member of the management team who will be responsible for maintaining the department as a first-class Human Resources function. This is a hybrid position:  on-site and some work-from-home potential. When working on-site, the Bel Air Campus is the primary location. There will be some infrequent travel to 2 additional locations on an as-needed basis. One location is in Beverly Hills and the other is in Simi Valley. Approximately 125 core employees + 100 seasonal employees. This is a 2-person HR Department.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Lead the Human Resources team to be a service-oriented, responsive function consistently serving the faculty and employees. Ensure HR best practices are followed, ensuring the university stays in compliance with State and Federal laws and regulations.
• Manage the Human Resources Department including the full range of Human Resource functions. Supervise one HR Generalist. Develop department goals, objectives, systems, and budgets. 
• Balances a professional partnership with departmental management while being responsible and accountable for the execution of Human Resources activities. Partner with department management to interpret and communicate policies, procedures, and standards to promote organizational consistency in all HR related transactions.
• Recruitment: Oversee the effective and consistent sourcing, hiring and onboarding of qualified staff and faculty (full-time, part-time and seasonal). Develop meaningful metrics to gauge efficacy of recruiting and hiring efforts.
• Manage workers’ compensation program and administer in accordance with regulations.
•  Employee Relations: Provide HR leadership and counsel on matters involving institutional culture and people. Provide solid counsel in employee relations issues and partners and interfaces with legal counsel as appropriate.
• Manage Performance Management process: annual performance evaluation, compensation and goal setting for all non-academic staff. Identify opportunities for training and/or succession planning. Provides day-to-day performance management guidance to leaders and managers.
• Administer employee benefits plans. Work directly with broker during annual renewal process making appropriate recommendations relative to potential areas of concern, cost savings and benefit structure and offerings. Assure that benefits are administered fairly and equitably and in accordance with carrier contracts. Administer open enrollment process. Is knowledgeable about the various benefits, and to the extent possible, assists employees with benefits questions and issues.
• Administer the 403(b) Plan and assures that it is current, compliant and correct. Handle and resolve audit and other issues as well as respond to requests or concerns from employees.
• Implement and coordinate effective human resource management systems, processes and standards in accordance with institutional goals and with federal and state regulatory requirements. Identify best practices for HR accountability and reporting metrics for HR that support goals and objectives. Identifies and implements opportunities for streamlining processes within Human Resources. Provide training and leadership in the administration of the Human Resources Information System (HRIS), ADP.
• Compliance and Training: Assures that mandated training (e.g., harassment prevention training, meal break requirements, safety) is conducted according to regulatory requirements. 

Qualifications

• At least 6-8 years of progressive experience in all aspects of Human Resources with a minimum of 5 years of leadership experience within HR.
• 3-5 Years of experience in non-profit and/or academic institutions.
• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Human Resources, Psychology, or other related discipline or an equivalent amount of education and experience; Masters’ Degree desirable.
• Thorough working knowledge of contemporary practices in the development, implementation and administration of HR topics, programs and policies.
• Outstanding verbal and written communication skills to interact with all levels of employees in all settings.
• Able to communicate effectively in a friendly, patient and professional manner, yet have the ability to persuade others.
• Strong people skills with demonstrated emotional intelligence to help foster a warm and collegial environment.
• High level of integrity.
• The desire to take “ownership” of the position and be accountable.
• The ability to work independently as well as collaboratively.
• Ability to exercise confidentiality and discretion.
• Compliance-oriented and knowing when to seek outside legal advice.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working with ADP Payroll and HR systems
• SPHR or other professional designation preferred.
•  Familiarity with Jewish community/religious vocabulary.
• Bi-lingual in Spanish a plus.

This may not be all inclusive and responsibilities may change over time.

Salary is commensurate with knowledge, skills and experience. An excellent benefits package is offered: Health insurance (Medical, Dental, Vision, FSA, EAP, Life, Long-Term Disability and Critical Illness), 403(b) retirement plan, Pet Insurance, Employee Discount Programs, Paid Vacation/Sick and a robust Holiday Schedule.

If you feel that you have what it takes to be a transformational Senior Director of Human Resources, we would be interested in speaking to you as soon as possible.

Interested candidates should submit a cover letter and resume in PDF format to: jobs@southbayhr.com

We will consider for employment all qualified Applicants, including those with Criminal Histories, in a manner consistent with the requirements of applicable state and local laws, including the City of Los Angeles’ Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance.