Director of Human Resources and EDI

Arts Admin Jobs; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

Paid vacation and sick leave

Access to live theater performances

Professional development opportunities

Job summary

American Conservatory Theater (A.C.T.) seeks a Director of Human Resources & Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion to lead people strategy, HR operations, and EDI integration. Reporting to the Executive Director, you will partner with senior leaders, unions, and external partners to strengthen people practices and organizational effectiveness.

You will drive HR operations, policy development, payroll oversight, and labor relations while advancing EDI initiatives and a culture of accountability,

Qualifications

• 10+ years of progressive HR experience, including leadership roles.
• Demonstrated experience leading EDI strategy and initiatives at an organizational level.
• Deep expertise in employee relations, investigations, and California employment law.
• Experience advising senior leaders and influencing organizational strategy.
• Strong operational HR experience across payroll, compensation, benefits, and compliance.
• Ability to balance strategic thinking with hands-on execution.
• Excellent communication, coaching, and relationship-building skills.

Responsibilities

• Serve as a trusted advisor to the Executive Director and senior leadership team.
• Develop and implement HR strategies aligned with organizational goals and artistic mission.
• Lead organizational design, workforce planning, and change management initiatives.
• Strengthen leadership capability through coaching, performance management, and development.
• Oversee HR systems, data integrity, reporting, and compliance audits.
• Lead complex employee relations matters, investigations, and conflict resolution.
• Partner with leadership to embed EDI into hiring, compensation, and culture.
• Oversee recruitment, performance management, succession planning, and benefits.

Skills

Leadership

HR strategy

Employee relations

California employment law

Coaching & development

Change management

Data-informed decision making

Communication & advisory skills

Tools

ADP

Cognito

SharePoint

Job description

Work Schedule & Hours

A general schedule of standard business hours (Monday‑Friday). Due to the nature of a performing arts organization, this role requires regular flexibility, including evenings and occasional weekends to support performances, events, and organizational needs. The Director is expected to adjust their schedule accordingly to ensure consistent leadership presence and partnership across the organization. The Director is expected to maintain a strong on‑site presence (approximately 3‑5 days per week) to effectively partner with staff and leadership. Limited remote work flexibility is available based on business needs and schedule demands. Reports To: Executive Director. Supervisory Responsibility: Yes, direct supervision of HR team and cross‑functional leadership influence.

THE ORGANIZATION

Founded in 1965, American Conservatory Theater (A.C.T.) is one of the nation’s leading nonprofit theaters and a cornerstone of San Francisco’s cultural life. For six decades, A.C.T. has been dedicated to producing bold and innovative theater, nurturing new voices, and engaging audiences through transformative artistic experiences.

Performances take place at the historic Toni Rembe Theater in Union Square and The Strand Theater in San Francisco’s Mid‑Market district. A.C.T. is equally committed to education and artist development. Through the Young Conservatory (YC), one of the most respected theater training programs for young people in the country, A.C.T. provides rigorous artistic training, scholarships, and performance opportunities for students across the Bay Area.

A.C.T. is in an important period of organizational transition and renewal. This moment presents an opportunity to strengthen the organization’s infrastructure, culture, and people practices while supporting its evolving artistic and organizational future. The Director of Human Resources & EDI will play a significant leadership role in this work, partnering with organizational leaders to build sustainable HR practices, support employees and managers, and advance A.C.T.’s commitment to equity, inclusion, accountability, and organizational effectiveness.

JOB SUMMARY

The Director of Human Resources & Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) is a strategic and operational leader responsible for A.C.T.’s people strategy, HR operations, employee and labor relations, and the integration of equity and inclusion into organizational practices. Reporting to the Executive Director and serving as a member of the organization’s senior leadership team, the Director partners closely with executive leadership, department heads, managers, employees, union representatives, and external partners.

• Provide strategic and practical HR leadership across a complex, mission-driven performing arts organization.
• Lead and strengthen core HR operations, including employee and labor relations, talent management, compliance, compensation, benefits, payroll oversight, leave administration, HR systems, and policy development.
• Develop the HR team and establish clear, effective, and sustainable HR processes, systems, and accountability.
• Partner with organizational leaders and colleagues responsible for EDI initiatives to integrate equity, diversity, inclusion, and belonging into A.C.T.’s people practices, workplace culture, and organizational decision-making.
• Serve as a trusted advisor and coach to leaders and managers throughout the organization.

This is both a strategic and hands‑on leadership role. The successful candidate will be equally comfortable advising executive leadership, addressing complex employee relations matters, developing organizational strategy, and ensuring that essential HR operations are functioning effectively.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS & RESPONSIBILITIES

HR Strategy & Organizational Leadership

• Serve as a trusted advisor to the Executive Director and senior leadership team
• Develop and implement HR strategies aligned with organizational goals and artistic mission
• Lead organizational design, workforce planning, and change management initiatives
• Strengthen leadership capability through coaching, performance management, and development

HR Operations & Compliance

• Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local employment laws, including California regulations
• Oversee HR systems (ADP, Cognito, SharePoint), data integrity, and reporting
• Lead audits (wage and hour, benefits, workers’ compensation, etc.)
• Develop and maintain HR policies, procedures, and employee handbook

Employee Relations & Culture

• Lead complex employee relations matters, investigations, and conflict resolution
• Partner with leadership to foster a culture of trust, accountability, and psychological safety
• Partner with managers to address performance issues and support team effectiveness
• Ensure consistent, fair, and legally compliant employment practices
• Partner with leadership on labor relations matters, including collective bargaining agreement administration and other union issues

Talent Management & Total Rewards

• Oversee recruitment strategies that expand diverse candidate pipelines
• Lead performance management, succession planning, and career pathway development
• Ensure equitable and competitive compensation practices
• Oversee benefits, leave administration, and employee wellness programs

Equity, Diversity & Inclusion Leadership

• Lead and evolve A.C.T.’s EDI strategy across all organizational culture, systems, and external impact
• Establish measurable goals, metrics, and accountability structures for EDI progress
• Partner with leadership to embed EDI into hiring, advancement, compensation, and culture
• Support and guide EDI committees, affinity groups, and cross‑functional initiatives
• Expand EDI learning, communication, and engagement across the organization

Data, Metrics & Organizational Effectiveness

• Use data to inform decision‑making across HR and EDI initiatives
• Analyze workforce demographics, engagement, retention, and equity outcomes
• Partner with leadership to translate insights into actionable strategies

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Required

• 10+ years of progressive HR experience, including leadership roles
• Demonstrated experience leading EDI strategy and initiatives at an organizational level
• Deep expertise in employee relations, investigations, and California employment law
• Experience advising senior leaders and influencing organizational strategy
• Strong operational HR experience across payroll, compensation, benefits, and compliance
• Ability to balance strategic thinking with hands‑on execution
• Excellent communication, coaching, and relationship‑building skills

Preferred

• Experience in nonprofit, arts, education, or mission‑driven organizations
• Experience working in unionized environments
• Familiarity with HRIS systems such as ADP or similar platforms
• Experience facilitating EDI learning and organizational change
• Passion for theater, arts, and community impact

LEADERSHIP COMPETENCIES

• Strategic Thinking and Business Acumen
• Equity‑Centered Leadership
• Emotional Intelligence and Coaching
• Change Management and Influence
• Operational Excellence and Accountability
• Data‑Informed Decision Making

WORK ENVIRONMENT & BENEFITS

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Paid vacation and sick leave
• Access to live theater performances and professional development opportunities

Diversity makes us stronger. A.C.T. is committed to diversity in its programming and creating an inclusive work culture and environment. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, ethnicity, religion, sex, age, national origin, protected veteran status, disability status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by law.

If you’d like to learn more about A.C.T.’s values, mission, and EDI initiatives, please visit act-sf.org.