Director of Human Resources

Neighborhood Legal Services of Los Angeles County; Glendale (CA); On-site; USD 145,000 - 163,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive Salary

Generous Time Off

Comprehensive Benefits

Technology reimbursement

Bilingual supplement

Job summary

Neighborhood Legal Services of Los Angeles County (NLSLA) is seeking a Director of Human Resources to guide people strategy, culture, and operations. Reporting to the Chief Operating Officer, the role leads HR staff, attracts and retains talent, and aligns practices with the organization’s mission.

This exempt position emphasizes leadership, compliance with employment laws, and partnering with leadership to drive organizational impact.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related field or equivalent experience.
• Minimum of 10 years of human resource experience.
• Proven leadership and management experience, with a minimum of 7 years supervising and developing staff.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Exceptional interpersonal, negotiation, and conflict resolution skills.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.
• Demonstrated commitment to supporting people from different backgrounds and lived experiences.
• Ability to influence and guide organizational leaders on people strategy and workplace culture.
• Ability to serve as a trusted thought partner to leadership while effectively engaging employees across the organization.
• Detail-oriented with a strong focus on following processes and maintaining clear, consistent communication.
• Ability to design and deliver effective training programs for diverse employee groups.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to prioritize responsibilities and delegate effectively.
• Demonstrated integrity, professionalism, and discretion when handling confidential information.
• Thorough knowledge of employment laws and regulations, with the ability to research and interpret regulatory requirements.
• Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite or related software.
• Experience with or the ability to quickly learn the organization’s human resources information system (Paylocity) and talent management platforms.

Responsibilities

• Shape and reinforce a workplace culture that reflects and advances the organization’s mission and values.
• Develop and implement long-term and near-term strategies to attract, develop, and retain top talent.
• Advise on compensation and benefits strategies to ensure the organization remains competitive in the employment market.
• Provide strategic guidance on change management initiatives to support sustainable growth and organizational impact.
• Develop and implement HR policies, initiatives, and training programs aligned with organizational priorities and evolving workforce needs.
• Build and maintain an effective HR infrastructure that promotes professional development and supports employee retention.
• Provide leadership and guidance in managing talent acquisition processes.
• Oversee the administration of employee benefits and leave programs in partnership with HR team members.
• Lead the organization’s performance management strategy, including evaluation processes and leadership coaching.
• Design, oversee, and continuously improve the organization’s HRIS.
• Coach and support managers in leading their teams, addressing performance concerns, and fostering growth.
• Serve as a welcoming, confidential resource for employees and maintain sound judgment.
• Collaborate with departmental leaders to understand workforce needs and required competencies.
• Analyze workforce data to inform strategic decisions.
• Ensure compliance with employment laws and proactively identify HR-related risks.
• Develop and implement employment policies in line with federal, state, and local laws.
• Oversee compliance with the Collective Bargaining Agreement.
• Partner with Labor Counsel and the Executive Office to address complex employment matters.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Employee relations

Strategic planning

Negotiation

Analytical thinking

Confidentiality

Training & development

Education

Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or related field

Tools

Paylocity

HRIS/Talent management platforms

Job description

Change Lives and Transform Communities– Join OurHuman ResourcesTeam!

Neighborhood Legal Services of Los Angeles County (NLSLA) provides freeassistanceto over 160,000 individuals and families each year through innovative projects that expand access to justice. We see the law as a powerful tool for socialchange,andwe’relooking for passionate individuals to help us fight for justice.

We value diverse perspectives and experiences, and we believe that a strong community is built through inclusivity. NLSLA is proud to foster an environment that welcomes individuals from all backgrounds and abilities, and we encourage all qualified candidates to apply.

About the Role

The Director of Human Resources is a key member of the Executive Team and plays a vital role in advancing NLSLA’s mission, values, people and culture with exceptional personal sensitivity and skill. Providing guidance andexpertiseto the Leadership Team and human resources staff, the Director leads the organization in attracting,retaining, and managing human resources to meet the current and future needs of the organization. The Director of Human Resources will supervise and develop NLSLA’s HRteam membersasrequired.

In this role, you will report to the Chief Operating Officer. This position is exempt.

WhatYou’llDo

• Organization Leadership & Strategy

• Shape and reinforce a workplace culture that reflects and advances the organization’s mission and values.

• Develop and implement both long-term and near-term strategies to attract, develop, and retain top talent.

• Advise oncompensation and benefits strategies to ensure the organizationremaincompetitive in the employment market.

• Providestrategic guidance on change management initiatives to support sustainable growth and organizational impact.

• Develop and implement HR policies, initiatives, and training programs aligned with organizational priorities and evolving workforce needs.

• Human Resources

• Build andmaintainan effective and efficient human resources infrastructure that promotes professional development and supports employee retention.

• Provide leadership and guidance in managing talentacquisitionprocesses.

• Oversee the administration of employee benefits and leave programs in partnership with HRteam members.

• Lead the organization’s performance management strategy, including evaluation processes and leadership coaching.

• Design, oversee, and continuously improve the organization’s human resources information system (HRIS).

• Coach and support managers in leading their teams, including developing work plans, addressing performance concerns, resolving workplace conflicts, and supporting professional growth.

• Serve as a welcoming, approachable, and trusted resource for employees,maintainingconfidentiality and exercising sound judgment.

• Collaborate with departmental leaders to understand workforce needs, including the skills and competenciesrequiredfor current and future roles.

• Analyze organizational trends and workforce data through HRIS and talent management systems to inform strategic decision-making.

• Ensure compliance with employment laws and regulations while proactivelyidentifyingand managing HR-related risks.

• Develop, update, and implement employment policies and proceduresin accordance withfederal, state, and local laws.

• Oversee compliance with the Collective Bargaining Agreement.

• Partner with Labor Counsel and the Executive Office to mitigate risk and address complex employment matters.

WhatYou’llNeed

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related fieldrequiredor equivalent experience.

• Minimum of 10 years of human resource experience.

• Proven leadership and management experience, with a minimum of 7years experiencesupervising and developing staff.

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

• Exceptional interpersonal, negotiation, and conflict resolution skills.

• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.

• Demonstrated commitment to supporting people fromdifferent backgroundsand livedexperiences.

• Ability to influence and guide organizational leaders onpeoplestrategy and workplace culture.

• Ability to serve as a trusted thought partner to leadership while effectively engaging employees across the organization.

• Detail-oriented with a strong focus on following processes andmaintainingclear, consistent communication.

• Ability to design and deliver effective training programs for diverse employee groups.

• Strong organizational skills with the ability to prioritize responsibilities and delegate effectively.

• Demonstrated integrity, professionalism, and discretion when handling confidential information.

• Thorough knowledge of employment laws and regulations, with the ability to research and interpret regulatory requirements.

• Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite or related software.

• Experience with or the ability to quicklylearnthe organization’s human resources information system (Paylocity) and talent management platforms.

Bonus Points if You

• Hold a PHR,PHRca, SHRM-CP or SHRM-SCP certification.

• Have senior or executive leadership experience.

• Demonstrate a strong commitment to serving low‑income communities; experience in a mission‑driven organization preferred.

• Have experience working in a professional services or legal services firm.

• Bring a passion for strengthening andevolvingorganizational culture.

• Believe that people are an organization’s most important asset and are committed to building systems that support their growth and success.

WhyYou’llLove Working with Us

At NLSLA, we believe in supporting our staff as they grow in their careers and live balanced lives. We offer:

• Competitive Salary: $145,000–$163,000, based on experience.

• Generous Time Off: 15 paid holidays, 2 to 5 weeks of vacation depending on seniority, and12 daysof sick leave.Exempt employees are eligible for compensatory timein accordance withcompany policy.

• Comprehensive Benefits:

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance with a variety of plan options.

• Basic Life and AD&D Insurance, Long-Term Disability Insurance.

• 403(b) retirement planwith employer contributionsand options for voluntary contributions.

• Monthly bilingualsupplementfor qualified employees. Note: Qualified employees with bilingualproficiencyare expected to provide in-languageassistancewhenfeasibleto support language access and in furtherance of NLSLA's mission.This expectation applies whether or not the employee receives the bilingual supplement.

• A Culture of Inclusion: We are committed to fostering a respectful, inclusive work environment where everyone can thrive.

• Perks: Technology reimbursement to help you stay connected and equipped to do your best work.