Director of Compliance and Employee Relations

Point Loma Nazarene University • San Diego, CA

22h • $80,000 - $95,000 • Hybrid

About The Position

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.

Requirements

• 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

Nice To Haves

• Emphasis in Human Resources, Business, or related field
• Senior Professional HR certification (SPHR or SHRM-SCP) from HRCI or SHRM
• Hands-on experience with AI tools and HR technology
• Experience in higher education
• Familiarity with Workday HRIS
• Knowledge and experience working with a diverse population

Responsibilities

• 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

Benefits

• health
• dental
• tuition benefits for employees and dependents
• competitive retirement matching
• vacation and sick time
• 15 paid holidays per year
• opportunities to engage with our community including staff chapel and a robust wellness program

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director