Job No: 552428; 10/10/2025

SENIOR ASSOCIATE VICE PRESIDENT AND CHIEF HUMAN RESOURCES OFFICER

California State University, Los Angeles, invites applications for the above Administrator III position.

The Opportunity:

Together; We are LA.

California State University, Los Angeles (Cal State LA) is one of the 23 campuses of the California State University system and a premier public university recognized for its commitment to engagement, service, and the public good. With more than 27,000 students, Cal State LA is ranked number one in the nation for the upward mobility of its students, reflecting the University’s powerful mission of transforming lives and communities through education.

The University’s Mission, Vision, and Values, emphasizes a deep commitment to student success, scholarly and creative activity, community engagement, and institutional sustainability. Central to this plan is the University’s role as a driver of regional progress — preparing the next generation of civic, business, and cultural leaders, while maintaining strong partnerships with public agencies, nonprofit organizations, and private industry. The Cal State LA community is passionate about shaping a more just and inclusive future for Los Angeles and beyond.

In January of 2024, Cal State LA began a new chapter when the Board of Trustees appointed Berenecea Johnson Eanes as the University’s ninth president and the first woman to serve in the position. President Eanes is currently leading the University through the initial stages of a bold strategic planning process.

This is a pivotal moment for the University. To help continue its momentum of service to students and the region and to realize its future goals, the Cal State LA seeks a thoughtful, strategic, and dynamic leader to serve as its next Senior Associate Vice President for Human Resources Management. The successful candidate will bring a deep commitment to the University’s mission and will embody a collaborative, inclusive, and facilitative leadership style that inspires and empowers peers and staff, encourages broad engagement across campus, and fosters the highest levels of service. This leader will help develop and implement a clear, unified vision for Human Resources Management that will engage the Cal State LA community and position the University for continued success.

This leader will inherit a team of talented and dedicated Human Resources professionals who are ready for strong, visionary leadership. With the support of engaged University leadership and a campus community deeply committed to collaboration and progress, the incumbent will be empowered to recruit for and further build the HRM team – strengthening its capacity to stabilize and advance Cal State LA’s mission to recruit, develop, and retain a highly dedicated and talented workforce. This is an exceptional opportunity for a proven leader to provide stability, drive meaningful change, and make a lasting impact at one of the region’s leading public universities.

The Position: Reporting to the Vice President for Administration and Finance, the Senior Associate Vice President of Human Resources Management (SAVP HRM) will serve as the chief human resources officer for Cal State LA. This executive will lead the Office of Human Resources Management, overseeing the Office of Civil Rights & Title IX office and all human resources functions, including labor and employee relations, organizational learning and professional development, benefits, recruitment, classification and compensation, and payroll. As a critical member of the President’s Cabinet, the SAVP HRM will be a key partner to University leadership, providing strategic counsel on workforce planning, talent management, employee engagement, and organizational effectiveness.

The SAVP HRM will guide a capable and committed team of human resources professionals and ensure that the Office of Human Resources Management provides high-quality, timely, and transparent service to the campus community. This leader will serve as a visible, trusted partner to colleagues across the University, building relationships through active listening and collaboration, while identifying opportunities to streamline processes, improve policies, and enhance service delivery. The SAVP HRM will also represent the University in working with the California State University Chancellor’s Office, as well as in navigating relationships with labor unions and ensuring compliance with applicable employment laws and regulations.

In all aspects of the role, the SAVP HRM will foster an environment that values integrity, trust, collaboration, and accountability. This leader will model inclusive and transparent leadership, support the growth and development of HRM staff, and strengthen the University’s capacity to attract, retain, and develop talented staff and faculty who are deeply committed to Cal State LA’s mission.

All of this shall be accomplished with a high level of professionalism and integrity, a transparent, team-oriented, collaborative mentorship style, a passion for the mission of Cal State LA, and a commitment to identifying and embracing opportunities for change that will move the University forward.

Additional areas of responsibility will include, but are not limited to, the following: Providing Visionary and Strategic Leadership.

• Provide strategic leadership within human resources, and throughout the University, serving as a trusted resource, a champion for innovation, navigating issues, and furthering Cal State LA’s mission and impact on the people and communities it serves.
• Develop and implement a clear and unified vision for Human Resources Management that supports the University’s mission and strategic priorities.
• Partner with the President, Cabinet, and Deans to align HR strategies with institutional goals, fostering a culture of collaboration and shared purpose.
• Represent Cal State LA within the California State University system and with external partners, serving as an advocate for the University’s needs and perspectives.
• Prioritize and expand efforts to apply a mission-centric lens to all decision-making and strategic planning within the University.

Strengthening Cal State LA’s Fundamental Human Resources Processes and Operations

• Oversee all HRM operations, including recruitment, classification, compensation, payroll, benefits, and labor and employee relations.
• Assess and streamline HR policies and procedures to enhance efficiency, clarity, and accessibility for the campus community.
• Ensure compliance with federal and state law, as well as CSU systemwide policies, in coordination with University Counsel.
• Provide leadership in navigating labor and employee relations, building collaborative relationships with unions, address employee grievances, conduct investigations into workplace misconduct, and resolve complex personnel matters, while promoting a culture of accountability and professionalism.
• Leverage technology, data, and best practices to improve HR processes and reporting.

Advancing a Culture of Customer Service and Partnership Grounded in Mission

• Build and maintain strong, trusting relationships with faculty, staff, administrators, and students through active listening, transparency, and responsiveness.
• Lead a “listening tour” and ongoing engagement efforts to identify strengths and areas for improvement in HR services.
• Champion a service-oriented people culture that is approachable, consistent, and supportive of the University’s academic and administrative units.
• Promote a culture that integrates and empowers human resources staff, supports cross-functional collaboration, and strengthens communications and relationship-building efforts throughout the University.
• Ensure that HRM is viewed as a strategic partner and advocate for the University community.
• Provide consistent leadership and clear direction for staff. Define departmental and individual goals, specify responsibilities and accountabilities, and evaluate staff performance regularly.
• Deploy resources efficiently, effectively, and fairly, working with direct reports to balance workload and effort, facilitate any workplace conflicts, and provide regular feedback so staff can continuously improve their supervision and mentoring skills.
• Invest in the professional growth and development of staff, fostering a culture of mentorship, accountability, and continuous improvement.

Required Qualifications & Experience: Bachelor’s degree from an accredited four-year college or university. Ten or more years of relevant professional experience in human resources, with at least five years in a supervisory or senior management capacity, preferably within large, complex organizations. Familiarity with labor relations, union environments, and California employment law. Incumbent must demonstrate an interest or ability in working in a multicultural/multiethnic environment. A background check (including a criminal records check) must be completed satisfactorily before any candidate can be offered a position with the CSU. Failure to satisfactorily complete the background check may affect the application status of applicants or continued employment of current CSU employees who may apply for the position.

California State University, Los Angeles, as part of the CSU system, is a State of California Employer. As such, the University requires all employees upon date of hire to reside in the State of California. As of January 1, 2022 the CSU Out-of-State Employment Policy prohibits the hiring of employees to perform CSU-related work outside the state of California.

Desired Qualifications: An advanced degree in human resources management, organizational development, business administration, or a related field. Professional HR Certification such as SHRM-SCP, PHR, SPHR, or equivalent. Bilingual or multilingual, prior work in higher education or public sector organizations, and familiarity with labor relations, union environments, and California employment law.

Compensation: Salary is commensurate with experience and qualifications. Salary range is $6,891 - $22,119/monthly. (Hiring salary range $17,667 to $21,167/monthly. Final salary will be based on education, experience, skills relevant to the role and internal equity) A comprehensive benefits package is provided.

Appointment: The Administrator III appointment will be made under the guidelines for management and supervisory employees of the California State University.  All rights and benefits associated with this appointment are governed by the Management Personnel Plan.

This position is a "designated position" in the California State University's Conflict of Interest Code. The successful candidate accepting this position is required to file Conflict of Interest forms subject to the regulations of the Fair Political Practices Commission.

Closing Date: Review of applications will begin on October 25, 2025, and will continue until the position is filled; however, the position may close when an adequate number of qualified applications are received.

The person holding this position is considered a "mandated reporter" under the California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act and is required to comply with the requirements set forth in CSU Executive Order 1083 revised July 21, 2017, as a condition of employment.

In addition to meeting fully its obligations under federal and state law, California State University, Los Angeles is committed to creating a community in which a diverse population can live and work in an atmosphere of tolerance, civility and respect for the rights and sensibilities of each individual. To that end, all qualified individuals will receive equal consideration without regard to economic status, race, ethnicity, color, religion, disability, national origin or cultural background, political views, sex or sexual orientation, gender, or other personal characteristics or beliefs.

Candidates must demonstrate ability and/or interest in working in a multicultural/multiethnic environment. Certain positions require fingerprinting. The University actively encourages qualified minorities, women and persons with a disability to apply.  Upon request, reasonable accommodation will be provided to individuals with protected disabilities to (a) complete the employment process and (b) perform essential job functions when this does not cause an undue hardship. We are an Equal Opportunity/Title IX Employer.

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