Head of Recruiting & HR

Job Description
Job Description Human Resources Director
University of West Los Angeles (UWLA)
Location: Inglewood, CA

Position Overview
The University of West Los Angeles (UWLA) is seeking an experienced and strategic Human Resources Director to lead and oversee all aspects of the university's human resources operations. This role is responsible for developing and implementing HR policies, ensuring legal compliance, supporting leadership, and fostering a positive and high-performing workplace culture.

The ideal candidate is a seasoned HR professional with strong leadership experience, deep knowledge of California employment law, and a background in higher education or similarly regulated environments.

Key Responsibilities
Strategic Leadership
Maintain, develop, and implement HR strategies aligned with UWLA's mission and growth objectives
Serve as a trusted advisor and partner to help guide the executive leadership in HR matters
Sustain and build scalable HR systems and processes
Takes ownership and is proactive to the HR needs of the institution
Compliance & Risk Management
Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local employment laws
Oversee, maintain, and develop policies and employee handbooks
Conduct and/or manage investigations and employee relations issues
Talent Acquisition & Retention
Oversee full-cycle recruitment (onboarding through separation)
Develop and implement hiring strategies
Implement onboarding and retention programs
Employee Relations
Provide guidance and take ownership of performance and discipline review process
Foster a professional and inclusive culture
Handle sensitive and privileged employee matters
Compensation & Benefits
Make recommendations for compensation structures and benefits
Conduct salary benchmarking
Oversee payroll coordination
Performance Management & Development
Implement and initiate the oversight of performance reviews
Support employee growth and training
HR Operations
Oversee the management of HR systems and recordkeeping
Ensure audit readiness and compliance
Maintain confidentiality of records and communications
University Operations:
Collaborate with department heads to streamline and improve operational processes.
Coordinate facility management and maintenance tasks.
Support the planning and execution of university events and activities.
Identify areas for process improvement and implement solutions as needed.
Assist the University President on various tasks and projects.

Qualifications
Required

• Bachelor's degree in HR, Business, or related field
• 5+ years HR experience, including leadership
• Strong knowledge of California employment law
• Experience in employee relations and compliance
• Ability to come into the office in Los Angeles/Culver City or Woodland Hills at least once a month.

Preferred
Master's degree in HR, Business, or related field
SHRM or PHR certification
Experience in higher education or regulated environments
Familiarity with immigration-related employment frameworks
Experience in the Private For-Profit sector
Familiarity with Title IX of the Education Amendments Act of 1972 is a federal civil rights law (20 U.S.C. §1681-§1688)
Key Competencies
Strategic thinking
Strong communication skills
High discretion and professionalism
Problem-solving and conflict resolution

Compensation
Competitive salary commensurate with experience, plus benefits including health, retirement, and paid time off. The salary range for this position is $100,000-$120,000 per year, based on a good faith estimate of what we reasonably expect to pay at hire. Actual compensation will depend on factors such as experience and skills.

Why UWLA
Join a mission-driven institution dedicated to student success and global impact. This is an opportunity to build and shape HR infrastructure at a growing university.