Director of Human Resources

BKF Engineers•Pleasanton, CA

4d•Hybrid

About The Position

BKF is a multi-service infrastructure consulting firm providing civil engineering, construction management, environmental, planning, and surveying services across California, the Pacific Northwest, and beyond. With offices throughout California and the Portland area, BKF has served transportation, water resources, land development, government, and federal clients for over 110 years. At BKF, you’ll find a unique opportunity to grow your career with intention. Our culture values professional autonomy, innovation, and meaningful collaboration across offices. We are proud to be recognized with the Great Place to Work certification for the second year in a row. BKF is seeking a seasoned and strategic Director of Human Resources to lead the Company’s compensation, benefits, employee relations, and employment law compliance functions across a multi-state environment. Reporting directly to executive leadership, this role is responsible for developing and administering HR programs that support competitive total rewards, regulatory compliance, and mitigate employment-related risk. The Director of Human Resources will serve as a key advisor to executive leadership on compensation strategy, benefits design, employee relations, and legal exposure, ensuring BKF’s policies and practices align with applicable federal, state, and local employment laws. This role requires deep expertise in managing complex employee matters, overseeing legally compliant HR programs, and addressing potential claims and disputes with sound judgment and discretion.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related field; Master’s degree or HR certification (e.g., SHRM-SCP, SPHR) preferred.
10+ years of progressive HR leadership experience, preferably within a multi-state or complex organizational environment.
Strong knowledge of federal, state, and local employment laws and regulations.
Proven ability to develop and implement strategic HR initiatives.
Experience managing a results-driven HR team and partnering with senior leadership.
Excellent interpersonal, communication, and conflict resolution skills.
Demonstrated success leading diversity, equity, and inclusion programs.
Strong analytical skills with experience in HR metrics and reporting.
Ability to handle sensitive and confidential information with discretion and integrity.
Familiarity with HRIS systems and payroll platforms; experience with UKG/Ultipro is a plus.
Ability to travel occasionally to BKF offices and client sites.

Responsibilities

Oversee and administer compensation programs, incentive plans, and benefits offerings, ensuring market competitiveness, internal equity, and cost-effective design.
Partner with executive leadership on compensation strategy, pay practices, and workforce-related risk considerations.
Enforce compliance with federal, state, and local employment laws and regulations, including wage and hour, leave laws, benefits administration, and employee classification.
Develop, implement, and maintain HR policies and practices designed to minimize legal risk and support consistent application across the organization.
Manage employee relations matters, including investigations, disciplinary actions, performance management, and separation processes, with a strong focus on legal defensibility.
Oversee responses to employee complaints, agency charges, and potential legal claims, coordinating with external counsel and external advisors as needed.
Lead benefits administration, vendor relationships, and renewal processes, ensuring compliance, accuracy, and effective employee communication.
Prepare HR-related analyses, metrics, and summaries for executive leadership, including compensation trends, benefits costs, and employee relations risk.
Represent BKF in employment-related matters involving regulatory agencies, benefits providers, and external legal counsel.
Lead and develop the HR team with a focus on compliance, accuracy, and sound judgment.
Serve as a trusted advisor to executive leadership on employment law considerations, compensation decisions, and employee risk management.
Ensure documentation, processes, and controls are in place to support audits, legal reviews, and regulatory inquiries.