Director of Human Resources

Planting Justice; Oakland (CA); Hybrid; USD 85,000 - 95,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Dental, Vision insurance

Life Insurance

401(k) plan

Job summary

Planting Justice is seeking an accomplished Director of Human Resources in California. This executive role partners with the Co-Executive Directors and Board to craft an equitable, high-performing people strategy and ensure compliant, people-centered operations across the nonprofit.

You will steer organizational development, workforce planning, and culture while overseeing labor compliance and risk management.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Public Administration, Organizational Leadership, or related field (equivalent experience considered).
• Minimum 7–10 years of progressively responsible HR experience.
• Minimum 5 years in a leadership or management role.
• Experience leading HR strategy in nonprofit/mission-driven organizations.
• Strong knowledge of California employment law.
• Experience conducting workplace investigations.
• Experience leading organizational change initiatives.
• Experience coaching managers and executives.
• Experience with compensation, benefits, performance management, and compliance.
• Experience with HRIS systems (Rippling preferred).
• Excellent project management skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to handle confidential information with discretion.
• Valid California driver's license and reliable transportation.
• Experience with Cal/OSHA compliance programs.
• Experience presenting to executive leadership and boards.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership and oversight for all HR operations.
• Develop and implement HR strategy aligned with mission and goals.
• Ensure legal compliance with California employment laws and regulations.
• Lead compensation, benefits, performance management, and safety programs.
• Direct talent acquisition, leadership development, and workforce planning.
• Coach managers and executives; support organizational change and culture.

Skills

Strategic HR leadership

Employee relations

Labor compliance

Coaching managers

HRIS (Rippling)

Project management

Communication skills

Bilingual English/Spanish

Education

Bachelor's degree in HR/related field

Master's degree

SHRM-SCP/SHRM-CP/SPHR/PHR certification

Tools

Rippling HRIS

Job description

40 hours / week

Position Title:

Director of Human Resources

Projected Interview Dates:

Projected Start Date:

**Dates may shift based on team or applicants needs

The Director of Human Resources provides strategic leadership and oversight for all aspects of Human Resources at Planting Justice. This executive leadership position partners closely with the Co-Executive Directors, senior leadership, managers, and the Board of Directors to develop and sustain an equitable, high-performing, legally compliant, and people-centered workplace.

Will be responsible for developing organizational HR strategy while ensuring excellence in daily HR operations. This position leads initiatives involving organizational development, workforce planning and development, employee relations, labor compliance, compensation, benefits, talent acquisition, leadership development, safety compliance, and organizational culture.

The Director serves as Planting Justice's senior advisor on employment law, organizational risk management, leadership coaching, and workplace culture while ensuring that Human Resources practices align with Planting Justice's mission, values, restorative justice philosophy, and long-term strategic goals.

Oversees organizational compliance with California employment law, Cal/OSHA regulations, and nonprofit best practices while creating systems that support sustainable organizational growth.

Desired Skills & Experience

Required

• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Public Administration, Organizational Leadership, or related field (equivalent experience considered).


• Minimum 7–10 years of progressively responsible Human Resources experience.


• Minimum 5 years in a leadership or management role.


• Demonstrated experience leading Human Resources strategy within a nonprofit, mission-driven organization, or similarly complex workplace.


• Strong knowledge of California employment law.


• Experience conducting workplace investigations.


• Experience leading organizational change initiatives.


• Experience coaching managers and executives.


• Experience with compensation, benefits, performance management, and compliance.


• Experience with HRIS systems (Rippling preferred).


• Excellent project management skills.


• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.


• Ability to handle confidential information with discretion.


• Valid California driver's license and reliable transportation.


• Master's degree in Human Resources, Organizational Development, Public Administration, Business Administration, or related field.


• SHRM-SCP, SHRM-CP, SPHR, or PHR certification.


• Experience in nonprofit organizations.


• Experience working within restorative justice frameworks.


• Experience supporting formerly incarcerated employees or justice-impacted communities.


• Bilingual English/Spanish is strongly preferred.


• Experience with Cal/OSHA compliance programs.


• Experience presenting to executive leadership and boards.

Compensation

$85,000-$95,000 annually, commensurate with experience and qualifications.
Full Benefits: Medical, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance and 401(k)

Schedule

Full-Time, Exempt Salaried Position (40 hours/week)

Planting Justice is an equal-opportunity employer. Employment with Planting Justice is at-will.