Director of Human Resources and EDI
About The Position
Founded in 1965, American Conservatory Theater (A.C.T.) is one of the nation’s leading nonprofit theaters and a cornerstone of San Francisco’s cultural life. For six decades, A.C.T. has been dedicated to producing bold and innovative theater, nurturing new voices, and engaging audiences through transformative artistic experiences. The organization is in an exciting period of leadership transition following the exit of long-time Executive Director in August of 2025, and the exit of Artistic Director Pam MacKinnon, who will depart on June 30. The organization is being led in this transition by David Schmitz, Interim Executive Director. During this time, the organization continues to present a dynamic season of contemporary plays, musicals, world premieres, and reimagined classics. Performances take place at the historic Toni Rembe Theater in Union Square and The Strand Theater in San Francisco’s Mid-Market district. A.C.T. is equally committed to education and artist development through the Young Conservatory (YC)—one of the most respected theater training programs for young people in the country—A.C.T. provides rigorous artistic training, scholarships, and performance opportunities for students across the Bay Area. As A.C.T. enters its 60th Anniversary, this moment of transition presents an opportunity to reimagine the organization’s artistic and organizational future while deepening its commitment to community, equity, and impact. POSITION PURPOSE: The Director of Human Resources & Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) is a strategic and operational leader responsible for advancing A.C.T.’s people strategy and embedding equity across all aspects of the organization. This role partners closely with executive leadership and department heads to: Build a high-performing, inclusive, and accountable workplace culture Lead all core HR functions, including employee relations, talent management, compliance, compensation, and benefits Drive and operationalize A.C.T.’s EDI strategy across internal culture, systems, and external impact This role is both strategic and hands-on, requiring a leader who can set vision while executing effectively in a complex, mission-driven environment.
Requirements
- 10+ years of progressive HR experience, including leadership roles
- Demonstrated experience leading EDI strategy and initiatives at an organizational level
- Deep expertise in employee relations, investigations, and California employment law
- Experience advising senior leaders and influencing organizational strategy
- Strong operational HR experience across payroll, compensation, benefits, and compliance
- Ability to balance strategic thinking with hands-on execution
- Excellent communication, coaching, and relationship-building skills
Nice To Haves
- Experience in nonprofit, arts, education, or mission-driven organizations
- Experience working in unionized environments
- Familiarity with HRIS systems such as ADP or similar platforms
- Experience facilitating EDI learning and organizational change
- Passion for theater, arts, and community impact
Responsibilities
- Serve as a trusted advisor to the Executive Director and senior leadership team
- Develop and implement HR strategies aligned with organizational goals and artistic mission
- Lead organizational design, workforce planning, and change management initiatives
- Strengthen leadership capability through coaching, performance management, and development
- Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local employment laws, including California regulations
- Oversee HR systems (ADP, Cognito, SharePoint), data integrity, and reporting
- Lead audits (wage and hour, benefits, workers’ compensation, etc.)
- Develop and maintain HR policies, procedures, and employee handbook
- Lead complex employee relations matters, investigations, and conflict resolution
- Partner with leadership to foster a culture of trust, accountability, and psychological safety
- Partner with managers to address performance issues and support team effectiveness
- Ensure consistent, fair, and legally compliant employment practices
- Oversee recruitment strategies that expand diverse candidate pipelines
- Lead performance management, succession planning, and career pathway development
- Ensure equitable and competitive compensation practices
- Oversee benefits, leave administration, and employee wellness programs
- Lead and evolve A.C.T.’s EDI strategy across all organizational areas: internal, foundation, and external impact
- Establish measurable goals, metrics, and accountability structures for EDI progress
- Partner with leadership to embed EDI into hiring, advancement, compensation, and culture
- Support and guide EDI committees, affinity groups, and cross-functional initiatives
- Expand EDI learning, communication, and engagement across the organization
- Use data to inform decision-making across HR and EDI initiatives
- Analyze workforce demographics, engagement, retention, and equity outcomes
- Partner with leadership to translate insights into actionable strategies
Benefits
- medical, dental, and vision insurance
- paid vacation and sick leave
- access to live theater performances
- professional development opportunities
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Director
Education Level
No Education Listed
Number of Employees
11-50 employees
