Director of Human Resources

Job Description

Job Description

Why This Role Matters

The Director of HR helps shape the employee experience at every stage — from recruitment and onboarding to leadership development and retention. In a mission-driven organization where collaboration, adaptability, and stewardship are essential, this role ensures the Garden has the people practices, culture, and infrastructure needed to sustain and grow its impact.

Position Summary

The Director of Human Resources leads the Garden’s people strategy, workplace culture, and HR operations. This role serves as both a strategic advisor and hands-on leader, helping cultivate a collaborative, mission-driven organization where employees can thrive.

Reporting to the Executive Director and serving as a key member of the leadership team, the Director of HR oversees all aspects of human resources including employee relations, talent acquisition, compensation and benefits, performance management, compliance, organizational development, training, and HR systems.

This onsite, full-time, exempt position balances thoughtful strategy with practical execution and partners closely with leaders across the organization to support teams that care for both people and plants.

What Your Day Might Look Like

• Coaching a manager through a complex employee relations conversation
• Collaborating with Finance on compensation planning and annual salary review processes
• Supporting department leaders with organizational planning and staffing strategies
• Leading recruitment efforts for horticulture, conservation, operations, and administrative roles
• Reviewing policies and practices to ensure compliance with California employment law
• Facilitating leadership development or staff training sessions
• Partnering with employees to strengthen engagement, communication, and workplace culture
• Improving HR systems, workflows, and reporting processes
• Helping leadership navigate organizational change with transparency and care

Your Areas of Impact

You will play a key role in shaping and strengthening the organization through:

HR Strategy & Leadership

• Develop and lead HR strategies aligned with organizational priorities and values
• Serve as a trusted advisor to leadership on organizational development, workforce planning, and culture
• Foster a positive, equitable, and inclusive workplace environment
• Support change management and organizational growth initiatives

Employee Relations & Culture

• Provide coaching and guidance to managers and employees on workplace matters
• Lead employee relations processes with professionalism, empathy, and consistency
• Help cultivate a culture rooted in collaboration, accountability, learning, and respect
• Support employee engagement initiatives and internal communication efforts

Talent Acquisition & Onboarding

• Oversee recruitment, hiring, onboarding, and retention strategies
• Partner with managers to attract high-performing, mission-aligned talent
• Ensure thoughtful onboarding experiences that connect employees to the Garden’s mission and culture

Compensation, Benefits & HR Operations

• Lead compensation planning and salary administration processes
• Oversee employee benefits programs and vendor relationships
• Ensure accurate HR records, reporting, and HRIS administration
• Monitor and improve HR policies, procedures, and systems

Compliance & Risk Management

• Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local employment laws and regulations
• Maintain and update employee handbook, policies, and required trainings
• Oversee investigations, leave administration, workers’ compensation, and related processes
• Partner with leadership to minimize organizational risk and support safe workplace practices

Learning & Organizational Development

• Support leadership development and manager effectiveness
• Identify training and professional development opportunities across departments
• Build systems and practices that support employee growth and long-term organizational health

What Helps You Thrive Here

You’ll be successful in this role if:

• You are both strategic and hands-on
• You lead with emotional intelligence, sound judgment, and integrity
• You communicate clearly and build trust across all levels of an organization
• You are comfortable navigating complexity, change, and competing priorities
• You value collaboration, curiosity, and continuous improvement
• You care deeply about creating workplaces where people feel supported and accountable
• You appreciate the unique culture and pace of mission-driven organizations

What You Bring

Required Skills and Experience

• 7+ years of progressive HR leadership experience
• Strong knowledge of California employment law and HR best practices
• Experience managing employee relations, performance management, and compliance matters
• Demonstrated success partnering with organizational leaders and managers
• Excellent communication, facilitation, and interpersonal skills
• Experience overseeing HR systems, policies, and operational processes

Nice to Have

• HR experience within nonprofits, cultural institutions, public gardens, environmental organizations, or mission-driven organizations
• SHRM-CP, SHRM-SCP, PHR, or SPHR certification
• Experience supporting organizations with field-based, operational, or seasonal workforces
• Familiarity with compensation analysis and organizational development practices

Compensation & Benefits

• Competitive salary commensurate with experience
• Health, dental, and vision insurance
• Retirement plan contribution
• Paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays
• Professional development opportunities
• Access to a beautiful and mission-driven work environment

Why Join Us

Working at the Garden means being part of a mission larger than any one role. Every member of our team contributes to protecting biodiversity, advancing conservation, creating meaningful public experiences, and fostering deeper connections between people and the natural world.

This is an opportunity to help shape the culture and future of a dynamic, mission-driven organization where collaboration, curiosity, and care are deeply valued. As Director of HR, you will have a meaningful voice at the leadership table and the ability to influence how we support, develop, and invest in our people.

You’ll join a community of passionate professionals who care deeply about their work, value authentic relationships, and believe healthy organizations are essential to long-term impact. Surrounded by living collections, beautiful landscapes, and people committed to stewardship, you’ll help cultivate an environment where both employees and mission can thrive.