Human Resources Director, College of Nursing

The Salvation Army • Oakland, CA

1d • $80,000 - $130,000 • Hybrid

About The Position

Samuel Merritt University graduates improve health outcomes and reduce disparities for all members of our communities. We have spent more than a century preparing outstanding healthcare professionals through immersive learning and community engagement and are deeply committed to transforming healthcare through diversity and inclusion. At the College of Nursing (CoN), we are at the forefront of educational innovation in theory and practice to prepare highly competent professional nursing leaders who are engaged in advancing nursing practice and improving health for diverse populations/peoples. Our motto is education plus compassion, which we proudly demonstrate in how we serve our students, faculty, staff, and local communities. The Human Resources Director (HRD) serves as the dedicated HR Business Partner to the College of Nursing (CoN), the University’s largest academic college. Reporting to the Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO), this role provides strategic and operational HR leadership across talent strategy, workforce planning, employee relations, performance management, compliance, and organizational effectiveness. This is a highly visible leadership role requiring close partnership with the Dean and Department Chairs. The HRD plays a critical role in strengthening hiring effectiveness, enhancing faculty engagement, and driving leadership accountability across the College.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree required Organizational Development, or related field
• 8+ years of progressive HR leadership experience, in complex, matrixed organizations.
• Demonstrated experience partnering with executive leaders in a consultative HR Business Partner capacity.
• Strong knowledge of employment law, performance management practices, and employee relations.
• Ability to balance strategic thinking with hands-on execution.
• Strong interpersonal, communication, and influencing skills.

Nice To Haves

• Master’s degree in human resources, Organizational Development, or related field preferred.
• 8+ years of progressive HR leadership experience, complex, matrixed organizations, preferably in higher education
• Experience supporting faculty or academic environments is highly desirable.

Responsibilities

• Talent Strategy & Workforce Planning Partner with academic leadership to develop and execute workforce strategies aligned with enrollment growth and program needs. The HRD collaborates closely with the University’s Recruitment team to ensure efficient, high-quality hiring experience while leveraging recruitment insights to inform workforce strategy. Collaborate with the Recruitment team to support effective, timely hiring of faculty and staff. Drive hiring accountability by partnering with leaders to maintain momentum throughout the recruitment lifecycle. Utilize hiring data and trends to inform workforce forecasting, capacity planning, and strategic decision-making. Ensure position management, approvals, and hiring processes are efficient, compliant, and aligned with institutional standards.
• Faculty & Adjunct Onboarding Design and enhance onboarding experiences that support successful faculty integration and first-year effectiveness. Partner with academic leaders to establish clear performance expectations, engagement checkpoints, and mentorship structures. Strengthen retention through proactive engagement strategies and leadership support.
• Employee Relations & Performance Management Serve as a trusted advisor to the Dean and Department Chairs on employee relations, organizational effectiveness, and leadership practices. Provide coaching and guidance to leaders on performance management, employee engagement, and change management. Lead and resolve complex employee relations matters with professionalism and sound judgment. Support leaders throughout the performance lifecycle, including goal setting, feedback, development planning, and corrective action when needed. Identify trends and opportunities to improve team effectiveness and organizational health.

What This Job Offers

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