Director, People & Culture

Centura Wealth Advisory•San Diego, CA

2d•$190,000 - $200,000•Onsite

About The Position

As Centuras Director of People & Culture, you will serve as a strategic leader responsible for shaping and advancing the firms people strategy. You will partner with leadership to align HR practices with business goals, driving operational excellence, compliance, and a values-based culture. You will lead initiatives that strengthen engagement, promote accountability, and support a high-performing, inclusive workplace. You will ensure HR policies, programs, and systems reflect best practices and comply with federal and state regulations. You will act as a trusted advisor to leadership and employees alike, fostering transparency, trust, and collaboration across the organization. Ultimately, you will champion Centuras mission by creating a culture where people thrive and business goals are achieved through aligned, purpose-driven performance. This role is located onsite in San Diego, California. Remote candidates will not be considered.

Requirements

Deep understanding of employment law and HR compliance across federal and California regulations (FMLA, CFRA, ADA, ACA, EEO, wage and hour, etc.).
Experience with open enrollment, compensation structures, and total rewards strategies.
Understanding of employee engagement best practices.
Knowledge of change management and organizational effectiveness principles.
Working knowledge of HR systems and analytics tools.
Skilled in coaching leaders through feedback, performance improvement, and talent growth.
Ability to balance strategic thinking with operational execution, moving seamlessly between big-picture planning and hands-on leadership.
Ability to analyze HR metrics and workforce data to inform decision-making and drive continuous improvement.
Ability to navigate sensitive employee matters with discretion, empathy, and professionalism.
Ability to influence and collaborate across departments and leadership levels to achieve organizational goals.
Ability to adapt to changing business needs and regulatory requirements while maintaining HR compliance.
Ability to model ethical leadership and uphold the highest standards of integrity and confidentiality.
Bachelors degree in Human Resources, Psychology, Business Administration, Organizational Leadership, or a related field.
8+ years of progressive HR experience, including at least 3 years in a leadership or strategic HR management role.
Demonstrated experience overseeing multiple HR functions such as recruiting, performance management, benefits, compliance, and employee engagement.
Proven track record in developing and implementing HR strategies that align with organizational goals and improve business performance.
Experience in California employment law compliance and employee relations.
Strong knowledge of HR systems and technology platforms (e.g., HRIS, ATS, performance and engagement tools).
Excellent interpersonal, communication, and leadership skills.
Ability to build and lead high-performing teams and foster an inclusive, collaborative work environment.

Nice To Haves

SHRM-CP, SHRM-SCP, PHR, or SPHR certification preferred.
Experience in financial services or RIA environments strongly preferred.

Responsibilities

Open Enrollment Lead Centuras annual benefits renewal and open enrollment process, including timeline creation, vendor coordination, and communication planning.
Evaluate current benefit plan performance annually by analyzing participation, utilization, employee feedback and cost trends.
Partner with the firms benefits broker to review plan design options, renewals, and alternative carriers or cost-savings opportunities.
Benchmark benefit offerings against industry standards to ensure competitiveness and alignment with the firms total rewards strategy.
Recommend plan design changes to leadership based on cost, compliance, and employee needs.
Oversee benefits-related compliance requirements, including ACA reporting, ERISA notices, COBRA administration, and plan document updates.
Collaborate with Finance to forecast benefits costs and incorporate updates into the annual budget.
Manage vendor and carrier relationships, ensuring service quality, data accuracy, and timely issue resolution.
Develop and deliver employee communication materials for open enrollment (e.g., guides, FAQs, and presentations) that clearly explain benefits options and changes.
Conduct post-enrollment audits to verify accuracy of enrollments, deductions, and carrier data feeds.
Analyze employee benefits trends and utilization data to inform future benefit strategy and wellness initiatives.
Leave of Absences / Reasonable Accommodations Administer Centuras Leave of Absence (LOA) and Reasonable Accommodation processes in compliance with federal and California laws (e.g., FMLA, CFRA, ADA).
Send required notices and documentation to employees and managers within designated timeframes.
Coordinate with employees, managers, and HR leadership to ensure a smooth leave process and proper return-to-work planning.
Track leave dates, extensions, and return-to-work statuses to ensure accuracy and compliance.
Maintain confidential LOA and accommodation files and ensure all documentation is complete and up to date.
Partner with payroll and benefits administrators to ensure accurate benefit continuation and pay during leaves.
Provide guidance to employees and managers on leave and accommodation policies, escalating complex cases to HR leadership as needed.
Workers Compensation Administer Centuras Workers Compensation program in compliance with state and federal regulations.
Serve as the primary point of contact for employees and managers regarding workplace injuries or incidents.
File claims and coordinate with the insurance carrier to ensure timely submission and follow-up.
Maintain accurate and confidential records of all injury reports, claim documents, and correspondence.
Monitor claim progress and communicate updates to employees, managers, and HR leadership as appropriate.
Coordinate return-to-work programs, including light-duty or modified work assignments when applicable.
Partner with the insurance carrier, healthcare providers, and legal representatives to ensure effective case management and resolution.
Track and report workplace injury trends to identify opportunities for safety and process improvements.
Policy Updates and Renewals Review annual federal and California legislative and regulatory updates to ensure company policies remain compliant.
Partner with Littler or other legal resources to update Centuras Employee Handbook and related policy documents as needed.
Maintain a master log of company policies, ensuring all versions are current, approved, and properly archived.
Draft, edit, and format new or revised policies for leadership review and approval.
Coordinate with leadership and department heads to communicate new or updated policies to employees.
Publish and distribute updated policies to employees.
Track acknowledgment of policy receipt and understanding through electronic signature or other verification methods.
Provide guidance to managers and employees regarding policy interpretation and implementation.
Support annual compliance audits by maintaining up-to-date policy documentation and version control.
Performance Management Design, implement, and continuously refine Centuras performance management framework to ensure alignment with the firms mission, values, and strategic objectives.
Partner with leadership to establish clear performance expectations, goal-setting processes, and feedback standards that promote accountability and growth.
Lead the annual and quarterly review cycles, including timeline planning, training and communication.
Coach managers on delivering constructive, values-based feedback and fostering a culture of continuous performance improvement.
Analyze performance data to identify firmwide strengths, development needs, and trends that inform talent planning and training initiatives.
Ensure consistency, fairness, and compliance in performance evaluation practices across all departments.
Partner with Finance and leadership to connect performance outcomes with compensation and advancement decisions.
Develop and maintain performance improvement and development programs that support employee success and retention.
Champion a feedback-driven culture that values recognition, accountability, and professional development.
Coach managers on delivering constructive, values-based feedback and addressing underperformance proactively and effectively.
Partner with leadership to identify and respond to performance issues through coaching, documented feedback, and ongoing performance discussions.
Oversee the development, implementation, and tracking of Performance Improvement Plans (PIPs), ensuring fairness, compliance, and consistency across departments.
Collaborate with legal counsel and executive leadership on complex or escalated performance cases to mitigate risk and support sound decision-making.
Provide guidance to managers on documentation standards and best practices for managing performance-related issues.
Analyze performance data to identify firmwide trends, high-potential talent, and areas requiring additional support, training or intervention
Compliance Oversee all HR compliance functions to ensure alignment with federal, state, and local employment laws, including wage and hour, leave, benefits, and anti-discrimination regulations.
Partner with Centuras legal counsel and external partners (e.g., Littler) to interpret new legislation, assess business impact, and implement required policy or procedural changes.
Maintain and update Centuras Employee Handbook and HR policies to reflect current laws, regulations, and best practices.
Oversee completion of all mandatory employee trainings and certifications, including compliance, anti-harassment, and cybersecurity requirements.
Ensure accurate and timely completion of required reporting and filings (e.g., ACA, EEO-1, OSHA, COBRA, ERISA).
Monitor HR systems and data management processes to ensure confidentiality, security, and compliance with data privacy laws.
Conduct regular internal audits of HR practices, personnel files, and system data to maintain compliance and readiness for external audits.
Partner with leadership to manage compliance-related investigations, employee relations issues, and disciplinary actions as needed.
Educate managers and employees on compliance expectations, providing guidance and resources to promote ethical conduct and risk awareness.
Stay informed of changes in employment law and proactively recommend updates to policies and processes to mitigate organizational risk.
Other: Approve and sign offer letters
Communicate employee terminations to staff
Lead planning and execution of firm-wide events, including logistics, communication, and post-event insights.
Perform other duties as assigned, contributing to a collaborative and high-performing team environment.