Director of Human Resources

Director Of Human Resources

Sterling Search Inc. (SSI) has been exclusively retained to recruit for the new Director of Human Resources for SEIU Local 2015.

"SEIU Local 2015 is California's Long Term Care workers organization that will unleash the collective power of long term care workers, their families, and their communities, harness the power of technology, and build a broad movement to disrupt the unjust status quo in order to bring lasting transformational change towards a more just society for all."

The Local 2015 member leaders believe that our mission demands that we fight injustice where we see and experience it. We believe this mission calls on us to fight for all one and a half million long term care workers in California and their communities who are not yet members of Local 2015 because all long-term care work must be valued and respected. The unprecedented income inequality and attacks on workers' rights that we have been experiencing for the last 30 years require us to take action. We must not only defend and protect what we have, we must also forge new ground in our efforts toward winning for workers.

SEIU 2015 is a viable organization with 280 staff throughout 17 California offices. The Officers and staff are passionate about advancing their mission for its 500,000 members.

SEIU is at the intersection of our current social equity protests SEIU Local 2015 is the largest local union in California, representing more than half a million long-term care workers (home care, skilled nursing facility, and assisted living center workers) throughout the state. We are also the largest long-term care union in the U.S. and the largest local union in SEIU. Our members are as diverse as the state's population and united in their commitment to caring for California's older adults and those with disabilities. SEIU 2015 is a leading voice, advocate, and authority—both locally and nationally—for quality long-term care as we endeavor to raise standards in the industry for both our members and their consumers. Our members lead with their justice agenda and commitment to being an Anti-Racist Organization.

The Intersection of Social Justice and the Silver Tsunami

As a result of declaring themselves an Anti-Racist Organization, SEIU Local 2015 places a social justice lens on all that they do with regard to their employment practices as well as living these core values in their everyday work:

• Leadership shows up when we organize others around a vision, take courageous action, build powerfully diverse relationships and inclusive teams, are accountable to results, are committed to demonstrating ethical standards and culture, and when we inspire others to learn more, dream more, do more and become more.
• Compassion shows up when we create space in our hearts and minds to empathize with the suffering and challenges of others and reveal a pathway for solutions.
• Empowerment shows up when every worker is given the opportunity to discover their leadership potential and exercise it on behalf of others.
• Accountability shows up when we exercise everyday self-reflection, ownership, and responsibility for one's words, ideas and actions.
• Transparency shows up when we ensure that open communication at all levels is used and promoted to build lasting trust among our members and for their organization.
• Excellence shows up when we demonstrate the ability to find lessons in our successes and failures, opportunities to learn each day, and the desire to always strive for improvement.

SEIU Local 2015 is positioned for significant growth, and this is a phenomenal opportunity for a learning and development executive who has great passion for the advancement of their mission.

Position Description

Strategic Role Overview

The Director of Human Resources is a senior executive leader responsible for the strategic direction, operational excellence, and continuous improvement of the Human Resources function across SEIU Local 2015. This role leads the design and execution of HR strategies that support a unionized workforce, strengthen organizational effectiveness, ensure legal and contractual compliance, and advance a high-performance, equity-centered culture.

Reporting to the Head of People & Culture and serving as a key member of the executive leadership team, the Director of Human Resources partners closely with senior leaders, the Executive Board, and department heads to align people strategy with the union's mission, values, and long-term goals. This role holds primary accountability for labor and employee relations, HR governance, HR systems, workforce planning, and the development of a strong, values-aligned HR team.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership & Executive Partnership

• Serve as a strategic advisor to executive leadership on workforce strategy, labor relations, organizational design, and change management.
• Translate organizational and union priorities into multi-year HR strategic and operational plans with measurable outcomes.
• Assess and advise on the people impact of long-range initiatives, regulatory changes, and bargaining strategies.
• Represent Human Resources in executive leadership discussions and, as appropriate, with the Executive Board.

Labor Relations & Union HR Leadership

• Lead and oversee labor and employee relations in a complex, unionized environment, including investigations, grievance handling, and disciplinary processes.
• Ensure consistent and compliant application of collective bargaining agreements, policies, and past practices.
• Provide strategic HR guidance during negotiations, reorganizations, and workforce transitions.
• Align HR practices to support organizing, member strength, and internal equity.

HR Operations & Governance

• Plan, develop, implement, and evaluate all HR policies, programs, and services.
• Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local employment laws and proactively mitigate risk.
• Establish HR governance frameworks that promote consistency, accountability, and transparency.

Talent Strategy & Workforce Development

• Lead workforce planning, recruitment, retention, performance management, leadership development, and succession planning.
• Ensure equitable, inclusive hiring and advancement practices aligned with SEIU values.
• Partner with leaders to build management capability and organizational effectiveness.

Total Rewards, Benefits & Employee Programs

• Oversee compensation, benefits, and rewards programs to ensure equity, competitiveness, and fiscal responsibility.
• Evaluate and recommend benefits strategies that support employee well-being and retention.
• Provide executive oversight of employee engagement, communications, safety, health, and wellness initiatives.

HR Systems, Analytics & Budget Management

• Provide executive leadership for HRIS and people systems, ensuring accurate data, reporting, and analytics.
• Use workforce metrics to inform executive decision-making and continuous improvement.
• Develop and manage the HR departmental budget with demonstrated ROI on people initiatives.

Team Leadership & Development

• Lead, mentor, and develop a high-performing HR team with clear expectations and accountability.
• Build internal HR capacity through coaching, training, and succession planning.
• Maintain the highest standards of confidentiality, ethics, and professionalism.

Required Qualifications & Experience:

Experience

• 10–12+ years of progressive Human Resources leadership experience, with accountability for organization-wide HR strategy and operations.
• Significant experience in unionized environments, including labor relations, investigations, grievances, and contract administration.
• Proven success serving as a senior HR leader and trusted advisor to executive leadership and governing bodies.
• Experience in complex, mission-driven or values-based organizations strongly preferred.

Education & Professional Development

• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Organizational Development, or a related field (or equivalent experience).
• Advanced or specialized training in employment law, labor relations, compensation, or organizational development preferred.
• Active engagement in HR professional networks and ongoing professional development preferred.

How Success Is Measured

The Director of Human Resources is evaluated on delivering measurable, sustainable outcomes that strengthen the organization and support a unionized workforce.

Core Competencies

• Strategic and ethical leadership
• Deep union and labor relations expertise
• Executive presence and influence
• Strong judgment, discretion, and confidentiality
• Exceptional communication and coaching skills
• Equity