California HR Director: Strategy, Compliance & Growth

The Quest Organization; Los Angeles (CA); On-site; USD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

The Quest Organization is seeking an experienced Human Resources Director in California to lead the HR function with a strong focus on employment law compliance, workforce planning, and operational excellence. This hands‑on leader will partner with executive leadership while overseeing day‑to‑day HR activities, including payroll, benefits, and HRIS optimization.

The ideal candidate will bring deep knowledge of CA employment law, 8+ years of HR experience including leadership, and a proven

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required; JD, legal studies, paralegal background, or formal employment law training strongly preferred.
• 8+ years of progressive HR experience including 3+ years in a leadership role.
• Extensive knowledge of California employment law and HR compliance requirements.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the subject matter expert on California and federal employment law, ensuring compliance with wage and hour regulations, leave laws, Cal/OSHA requirements, PAGA, AB 5, and other applicable legislation.
• Develop, review, and maintain employee handbooks, policies, and HR procedures to align with evolving legal requirements.
• Lead employee relations matters, including investigations, disciplinary actions, and terminations, while partnering with outside legal counsel on complex employment issues.
• Partner with executive leadership, finance, and department managers to develop workforce plans, hiring forecasts, and succession strategies aligned with business growth.
• Analyze HRIS data, compensation benchmarks, and workforce trends to support strategic hiring and compensation decisions.
• Oversee full‑cycle HR operations, including talent acquisition, onboarding, performance management, compensation, benefits administration, payroll oversight, employee development, and offboarding.
• Own the administration and optimization of the HRIS platform, including reporting, payroll, benefits, time and attendance, and analytics.
• Lead cross‑functional HR initiatives such as HRIS implementations, compensation reviews, benefits renewals, and policy rollouts from planning through execution.
• Manage HR budgets, vendor relationships, and external service providers while driving continuous improvement across HR processes.
• Build, mentor, and develop the HR team while advising leadership on organizational design, culture, and people strategy.

Skills

Employment law

HR leadership

Cross-functional collaboration

Data analysis

Stakeholder management

Education

Bachelor’s degree

JD or legal training

PHR/SHRM certification

Tools

ADP Workforce Now

Paylocity

Rippling

UKG

Job description

The Quest Organization is seeking an experienced Human Resources Director in California to lead the HR function with a strong focus on employment law compliance, workforce planning, and operational excellence. This hands‑on leader will partner with executive leadership while overseeing day‑to‑day HR activities, including payroll, benefits, and HRIS optimization.

The ideal candidate will bring deep knowledge of CA employment law, 8+ years of HR experience including leadership, and a proven