Director, Workforce Relations Transformation, HR Policy, & Compliance

Job Function Summary:

The Director drives the transformation of workforce policy across UCSF while establishing the HR Compliance function and building the governance infrastructure that shapes how policy is developed, interpreted, implemented, communicated, monitored, and continuously refined across the institution. Reporting to the Vice President of Workforce Relations & Compliance, the Director works in concert with the VP to set the strategic agenda for policy, HR compliance, communications, and process transformation, serving as a driving force behind the reinvention of UCSF's Labor and Employee Relations (LER) function.

The Director works in close partnership with the LER Transformation Lead and LER Operational Leadership to ensure transformation priorities, compliance requirements, policy interpretations, and operational practices are aligned and effectively embedded across the function. The position also partners closely with Human Resources Centers of Expertise, Academic Personnel, Legal Affairs, Compliance, and executive leadership to ensure workforce policies and practices are practical, consistent, legally compliant, and responsive to the evolving needs of UCSF.

The Director establishes and develops the HR Compliance function, including the governance, processes, accountability mechanisms, monitoring, and reporting necessary to identify and mitigate workforce-related compliance risk and strengthen institutional accountability. In partnership with the Vice President of Workforce Relations & Compliance, the LER Transformation Lead, and LER Operational Leadership, the Director helps define clear roles and accountabilities and ensures compliance is effectively integrated into LER strategy, transformation initiatives, and ongoing operations. The Director works across HR and in close coordination with Legal Affairs and enterprise Compliance to translate regulatory, UC system, and institutional requirements into sustainable HR practices and strengthen the proactive identification, escalation, and mitigation of workforce-related compliance risk.

The Director establishes governance for maintaining and communicating workforce policies and related guidance, ensuring changes are accurately documented, communicated to key stakeholders, and implemented consistently across Campus and Health.

The Director also serves as a key UCSF voice in shaping and influencing workforce policy at the University of California system level, bringing forward UCSF's operational experience, workforce needs, and institutional perspective to inform systemwide policy development and evolution. The Director assesses new and existing UC policies and requirements to determine where UCSF has opportunities to strengthen policy interpretations, tighten processes and controls, clarify expectations, and improve consistency of application across Campus and Health. This leader proactively identifies areas where greater institutional rigor, standardization, or governance will reduce risk and improve organizational effectiveness.

The Director identifies opportunities to simplify workforce policies and administrative processes, standardize practices across Campus and Health, reduce unnecessary complexity, and improve the consistency, transparency, and efficiency of workforce relations services. As part of this mandate, the Director proactively identifies opportunities to leverage artificial intelligence, automation, and other emerging technologies to improve access to and understanding of workforce policies, support timely and consistent responses to policy questions, strengthen compliance monitoring and risk identification, and streamline administrative processes. The Director champions solutions that make it easier for employees, managers, and HR professionals to navigate policies and requirements while creating simpler, more intuitive, and customer-oriented experiences and maintaining appropriate governance, controls, and human oversight.

Working collaboratively across Human Resources, Labor Relations, Employee Relations, Academic Personnel, Legal Affairs, and Compliance, the Director implements governance frameworks, policy modernization efforts, compliance infrastructure, technology-enabled solutions, and operational improvements that strengthen compliance, improve the employee and manager experience, and enable the broader transformation objectives established by executive leadership.

Serving as a strategic advisor to executive leadership, the Director provides consultation regarding workforce policy, HR and workforce compliance, organizational governance, UC system policy and its implications for UCSF, and emerging workforce issues while leading initiatives that improve organizational consistency, operational effectiveness, employee experience, risk management, and institutional accountability.

Department description:

The Workforce Policy, Compliance & Communications function provides enterprise leadership for workforce policy governance, strategic compliance initiatives, and workforce communications across UCSF Campus and UCSF Health.

The department develops and maintains UCSF Human Resources policies, establishes governance processes supporting policy implementation and continuous improvement, oversees executive-designated workforce compliance initiatives, and coordinates workforce communications that support organizational priorities. Through collaboration with Human Resources, Labor and Employee Relations, Academic Personnel, Legal Affairs, Compliance, and executive leadership, the department advances consistent workforce practices while supporting UCSF's strategic goals and reducing institutional risk.

% Time

Essential Function

Representative Responsibilities

55%

Workforce  Policy & Process Transformation

The Director actively hunts for complexity to eliminate, simplifying workforce policies and administrative processes, standardizing practices across Campus and Health, and reengineering how workforce relations services are delivered to be more consistent, transparent, and efficient. This includes leading policy modernization efforts and operational improvements that raise the bar on compliance and transform the employee and manager experience.

Provides strategic leadership for UCSF’s Human Resources policy portfolio and leads modernization of workforce policies to support evolving organizational priorities while ensuring consistency with University policy and applicable law. Oversees policy implementation strategies and evaluates policy effectiveness through continuous improvement initiatives.

Represents UCSF’s workforce interests in the evolution of University of California workforce policies. Develops executive briefing papers, position statements, and policy recommendations supporting UCSF’s strategic objectives. Partners with Labor Relations leadership to identify collective bargaining provisions warranting systemwide advocacy. Participates on UC committees and collaborates with peer institutions to build support for policy improvements benefiting UCSF and the University of California.

20%

Establishing an HR Compliance Function

Serves as a trusted strategic advisor, shaping institutional thinking on workforce policy, enterprise compliance, organizational governance, and emerging workforce issues. Provides consultation that keeps leadership ahead of risk and positioned for informed decision-making.

Exercises broad independent judgment in balancing organizational objectives, legal compliance, operational effectiveness, employee experience, and institutional risk while challenging existing approaches and leading transformational solutions to complex workforce challenges.

15%

Cross-Functional Partnership & Change Leadership

Unites Human Resources, Labor Relations, Employee Relations, Academic Personnel, Legal Affairs, and Compliance around a shared vision. Leads the initiatives — and manages the change process — that move the organization toward greater consistency, sharper operational performance, a stronger employee experience, and lasting institutional accountability.

Develops enterprise communication strategies supporting workforce policy implementation, compliance initiatives, and Labor & Employee Relations priorities. Oversees policy implementation communications, labor updates, executive guidance, manager communications, and organizational messaging related to workforce relations and compliance, partnering with Internal Communications and Human Resources leadership to ensure communications are timely, consistent, accurate, and aligned with organizational priorities.

Provides leadership to professional staff responsible for workforce policy, compliance, and communications. Establishes departmental priorities, performance expectations, and accountability measures and identifies opportunities for continuous improvement.

10%

Enterprise Governance

Establishes and stewards governance processes for workforce policy development, implementation, communication, and ongoing review. Builds governance frameworks in close partnership with Human Resources Centers of Expertise, Labor and Employee Relations, Academic Personnel, Legal Affairs, and Compliance to ensure policies are practical, consistent, legally compliant, and built to evolve with the organization.

Provides oversight for strategic workforce compliance initiatives designated by executive leadership as organizational priorities. Develops governance, accountability measures, reporting, and executive dashboards supporting enterprise compliance efforts. Monitors organizational performance, identifies compliance risks, recommends corrective strategies, and partners with organizational leaders to improve enterprise performance and operational consistency.

Minimum Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Public Administration, Public Policy, Organizational Leadership, Employment Law, or a related field; or an equivalent combination of education and experience
• 8 – 10 years progressive leadership experience in Human Resources, workforce policy, labor and employee relations, compliance, organizational governance, or a related field
• Expert knowledge of workforce policy development, governance, and implementation
• Comprehensive understanding of California employment law and organizational personnel policies and governance
• Knowledge of collective bargaining agreements and their interaction with workforce policy, while recognizing the respective roles of Labor Relations and UC Office of the President
• Experience leading complex cross-functional initiatives and influencing executive decision-making
• Experience interpreting employment laws, organizational policy, and regulatory requirements
• Demonstrated experience developing enterprise policies, governance frameworks, and organizational standards 
• Demonstrated success leading organizational change and continuous improvement initiatives 
• Strong strategic planning, policy analysis, organizational development, and change management skills
• Exceptional analytical, communication, facilitation, negotiation, and relationship management skills 
• Demonstrated ability to develop enterprise strategy, governance frameworks, and operational standards
• Demonstrated commitment to equity, inclusion, and fostering a respectful workplace
• Demonstrated ability to influence executive leaders and build consensus across complex organizations
• Ability to balance strategic business objectives, operational effectiveness, legal compliance, and employee experience
• Excellent written, verbal, and executive communication skills

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master's degree, Juris Doctor, or other advanced degree in a related discipline
• SHRM-SCP, SPHR, or comparable professional certification
• Experience within higher education, academic healthcare, or a highly regulated organization
• Experience participating on systemwide committees, governance groups, or multi-organizational collaborations