PLNU is seeking a strategic and relational Director, Compliance & Employee Relations to serve as a trusted advisor and key leader within Human Resources. This role provides leadership in employee relations, workplace investigations, multi-state employment compliance, policy development, and manager coaching while helping foster a healthy, compliant, and people-centered workplace culture across the university. Apply here.

Salary: 

Pay range $80,000 - $95,000

Actual salary offered is determined by the candidate’s experience, education, skills, and other factors, including internal equity and university funding resources.

This position is eligible for a hybrid work arrangement working both in-person and remotely, upon completion of orientation period.

What We’re Looking For

• Strong experience advising leaders and employees through complex employee relations matters with professionalism and discretion

• Deep understanding of employment law, compliance frameworks, and workplace investigation practices, particularly within California employment law

• Ability to build trust and maintain confidentiality while navigating sensitive situations

• Strong coaching and conflict resolution skills with the ability to support managers through difficult employee conversations and decisions

• Experience developing and improving HR policies, procedures, and compliance practices

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to exercise sound judgment and make balanced recommendations

• Ability to lead cross-functional initiatives and collaborate effectively with stakeholders across the university

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to communicate clearly and professionally in sensitive situations

• Openness to learning and leveraging emerging HR technologies and AI-enabled tools to improve efficiency and effectiveness

• Knowledge and experience working with a diverse population is preferred

What You’ll Be Doing

• Serve as a trusted advisor and primary resource for employee relations concerns, supporting employees, managers, and supervisors across the university

• Provide structured coaching and guidance to leaders regarding performance management, conflict resolution, corrective action, and employee communication strategies

• Lead and conduct workplace investigations involving employee concerns, policy violations, harassment, discrimination, and other sensitive matters

• Develop investigation plans, conduct interviews, document findings, and prepare investigation summaries and recommendations

• Collaborate with legal counsel and compliance partners on complex or high-risk employment matters as needed

• Monitor and interpret federal, state, and local employment laws and ensure university employment practices remain compliant across multiple states

• Contribute to the development and maintenance of HR policies, handbook updates, and state-specific policy addenda

• Support oversight of the ADA interactive process, including accommodation requests, documentation review, and implementation of reasonable accommodations

• Supervise the Student Employment Manager and support student employment operations and compliance

• Partner with HR leadership on the redesign and revitalization of the university’s performance management process and employee development initiatives

• Represent Human Resources on university committees, working groups, and institutional initiatives

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree with an emphasis in Human Resources, Business, or related field preferred

• Senior Professional HR certification (SPHR or SHRM-SCP) from HRCI or SHRM strongly preferred

• Proficiency in Google Workspace and Zoom (or similar platforms) and Microsoft Excel

• 5–7 years of HR experience with increasing responsibility, including direct experience in employee relations, workplace investigations, and employment compliance

• Proven experience managing HR compliance and policy across multiple states preferred, specific expertise in California employment law required

• Demonstrated ability to coach managers and leaders through complex and sensitive employee situations with discretion and sound judgment

• Openness to adopting AI tools and HR technology is expected; hands-on experience with such tools is a plus

• Experience in higher education preferred

• Familiarity with Workday HRIS preferred

• Knowledge and experience working with a diverse population is preferred

• Evidence of Christian commitment and active church involvement. In addition, staff agree to live in agreement with PLNU’s Community Life Covenant. 

• The job offer is contingent on the successful completion of a background check. PLNU will consider qualified applicants, including those with criminal histories, in a manner consistent with state and local "Fair Chance" laws

Physical Requirements

• Work is primarily sedentary and may require sitting for extended periods of time

• Use of computer equipment including keyboard, mouse, and monitor

• Vision to read documents, email, and other correspondence on paper and computer monitor

• Hearing and speaking abilities to communicate effectively with others in person and by phone

• Ability to stand, stoop, push, pull, and lift up to 10 pounds throughout the day