Senior HR Leader: Talent, Performance & People Strategy

California State University, Fullerton; Fullerton (CA); On-site; USD 41,000 - 94,000; Full time

Job summary

California State University, Fullerton seeks an experienced Associate Director for Human Resources to provide strategic and operational leadership across the employee experience. This senior role oversees talent acquisition, employee relations, performance management, benefits and leave administration, engagement, and organizational development.

The Associate Director will advise managers, ensure fair and compliant practices, mentor HR staff, and translate policy into practical guidance for

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in human resources, business administration, organizational development, or related field, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• SPHR or equivalent senior-level HR certification.
• Minimum of 10 years in a leadership or management-level HR role.
• Extensive experience in employee relations and workplace investigations.
• Experience managing organization-wide compensation and classification.
• Experience leading performance management programs.
• Extensive full-cycle recruitment and talent acquisition experience.
• Experience administering employee benefits and complex leaves.
• Expert knowledge of California and federal employment laws.
• Strong experience with HRIS and applicant tracking systems.
• Ability to exercise sound judgment and maintain confidentiality.

Responsibilities

• Lead full-cycle recruitment for staff positions from strategy to onboarding.
• Partner with hiring managers to identify staffing needs and create recruitment strategies.
• Lead organization-wide performance management and annual review processes.
• Coach managers on goal setting, development, and performance improvement plans.
• Serve as trusted advisor on complex employee relations matters.
• Conduct workplace investigations and document findings.
• Provide recommendations regarding corrective action and employment decisions.
• Oversee benefits administration and broaden complex benefits issues expertise.
• Lead annual open enrollment and HRIS updates.
• Manage FMLA, CFRA, PDL and other leaves and return-to-work procedures.
• Develop employee engagement, recognition and wellness initiatives.
• Support workforce and succession planning and organizational development.
• Analyze HR data and provide reports to management.

Skills

Leadership experience

Strategic thinking

Discretion and confidentiality

Employee relations

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in HR or related field

SPHR certification

Tools

HRIS

Applicant tracking systems (ATS)

Job description

California State University, Fullerton seeks an experienced Associate Director for Human Resources to provide strategic and operational leadership across the employee experience. This senior role oversees talent acquisition, employee relations, performance management, benefits and leave administration, engagement, and organizational development.

The Associate Director will advise managers, ensure fair and compliant practices, mentor HR staff, and translate policy into practical guidance for