Human Resources Director

asjobssdsu; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 145,000 - 155,000; Full time

Job summary

Associated Students SDSU is seeking a Human Resources Director to oversee all HR functions, including recruitment, payroll, benefits, policy enforcement and compliance. The role partners with senior leadership to drive strategic HR initiatives and foster a positive work environment for staff.

The Director will lead HR and payroll teams, ensure timely payroll processing, maintain accurate records, and stay current with state and federal employment laws.

Qualifications

• Ten years of progressive HR experience, including leadership roles.
• Higher Education experience strongly preferred.
• Strong knowledge of payroll, benefits, compliance, and labor laws.

Responsibilities

• Oversee HR department, payroll staff and processes.
• Lead recruitment and onboarding for all staff.
• Ensure compliance with federal/state laws and CSU policies.

Skills

HR leadership

Recruitment onboarding

Payroll administration

Employee relations

Policy compliance

Training development

Diversity inclusion

Education

Bachelor's degree in HR / related field

Master's degree preferred

Tools

Microsoft Office

Google Workspace

Job description

Priority consideration deadline: Monday, July 27, 2026.

GENERAL PURPOSE

Under the direction of the Associate Executive Director, the Human Resources Director oversees all aspects of Human Resources for the organization, including recruitment, professional development, performance management, employee relations, benefit administration and legal compliance. The HR Director partners with senior leadership regarding the strategic planning of HR initiatives, ensures compliance, manages risk, and serves as a leader while fostering a positive work environment for the HR department and for all Associated Students staff.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

Primary Functions

• Oversees Human Resources Department including all human resources and payroll staff and processes
• Serves as a member of Senior Staff
• Monitors and implements corporate-wide changes, new programs, practices or initiatives as assigned in collaboration with the Associate Executive Director
• Ensures that the organization seeks, attracts, hires and retains highly proficient staff
• Oversees the organizational recruitment and onboarding processes for full- and part‑time staff
• Sees that there is effective, on‑going training and professional development of staff at all levels of the organization
• Oversees a strong program of evaluation of employee performance
• Ensures bi‑weekly payroll completion for all A.S. staff
• Ensures the corporation complies with all federal, state and payroll tax laws and filing requirements. Ensures that information is maintained accurately to reflect taxable and non‑taxable income and expenses
• Ensures that there is a good flow of information to and from employees, that they are well informed on matters of importance to them and the organization, and that there is positive employee morale and well being
• Oversees employee benefits program ensuring benefit offerings support employee morale and retention. Ensures proper enrollment policies and procedures
• Stays current on all state and federal employment law updates, and ensures corporate policies and procedures are compliant
• Maintains employee handbooks and required postings in accordance to current state and federal employment laws
• Ensures completion of all mandated federal and state reporting
• Keeps current on all CSU policies and updates A.S. policies accordingly
• Conducts all employee, ARC member and sport club investigations in accordance with A.S. policies and procedures. Collaborates with HR Manager regarding investigative interviews and outcomes. Presents findings to Associate Executive Director, along with suggestions on next steps
• Resolves employee disputes and grievances fairly and efficiently
• Oversees employee classification and compensation policies and procedures. Ensures equitable compensation levels in accordance with CSU policies
• Manages leave of absence policies and processes, ensuring compliance with all state and federal laws. Maintains all documentation & communication with employees.

QUALIFICATIONS

Minimum & Preferred Requirements

Education

• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Public Administration, Business Administration, or a related field is required. Master's degree (such as an MBA, MPA, or MS in Human Resources) is preferred. Senior Professional Human Resources (SPHR) certification preferred

Experience

• Ten years of progressive HR experience, including management and leadership roles required. Experience in Higher Education strongly preferred
• Seven years of supervisory experience required
• Demonstrated experience and knowledge in all areas of Human Resources including recruitment and onboarding, labor law compliance, contract negotiation, classification and compensation, benefits administration, insurance claims administration, professional development, employee engagement, labor relations, policies and procedure development and enforcement, workplace investigations, payroll administration, corrective action procedures, employee evaluation processes and leave of absence administration

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES

• Must have a knowledge in all areas of Human Resources including recruitment and onboarding, labor law compliance, contract negotiation, compensation, benefits administration, insurance claims administration, professional development, employee engagement, labor relations, policies and procedure development and enforcement, workplace investigations, payroll administration, corrective action procedures, employee evaluation processes and leave of absence administration
• Ability to understand, interpret, and apply policies and regulations in specific situations
• Ability to work in a diverse, frequently changing population of students, faculty, and staff
• Excellent interpersonal skills; ability to relate and communicate effectively with a diverse population of students, staff, faculty, colleagues and guests
• Must have strong communication skills (verbally and written) to communicate at a level appropriate to the duties of the position
• Ability to operate a computer, proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite (i.e. Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and Google (i.e. slides, sheets, docs) with the ability to learn and utilize new software programs
• Ability to gather and organize data, draw logical conclusions and discern implications
• Must have strong conflict‑management skills
• Must have strong business and financial acumen
• Well organized, ability to effectively multi‑task, ability to prioritize work, problem solve, make decisions and meet scheduled deadlines under pressure
• Ability to maintain high level of confidentiality
• Works in an independent manner without undue supervision
• Proven necessary supervisory skills including, but are not limited to: hiring, inspecting, analyzing, planning, prioritizing, scheduling, assigning, receiving, controlling, training, instructing, documenting, recommending and reporting

SCHEDULE & WORKING CONDITIONS

This is a regular, full‑time position with expected hours of Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Must be willing to work some irregular hours.

Compensation: $145,000 - $155,000 Annually

RELATIONSHIPS

Inside the Organization

• Reports to Associate Executive Director
• Supervises
  • Associate Director of Human Resources
  • Human Resources Manager
  • Payroll Manager
• Provides direction to full-time and part‑time HR staff
• Works closely and collaborates with Business Services staff
• Works closely with Senior Staff and departmental Managers
• Works closely with Office Coordinators/Payroll Liaisons
• Interacts with student leaders including A.S. Board of Directors and Executive Officers

Outside the Organization

• SDSU Business & Financial Affairs
• SDSU Student Affairs & Campus Diversity
• University Police Department
• Auxiliary Organization Association
• Professional organizations
• Contract vendors

EMPLOYMENT CATEGORY

Full‑Time, Exempt, Salaried, Supervisor, Grade 18

A background check (including a criminal records check) must be completed satisfactorily before any candidate can be offered this position with Associated Students. Failure to satisfactorily complete the background check may affect the application status of applicants or continued employment of current Associated Students employees who apply for the position. A credit check is also required for this position.