Description

Under limited direction, performs a wide variety of activities across the full spectrum of human resources functions, including talent acquisition, employee relations, regulatory compliance, benefits administration, HRIS management, and organizational development. Serves as a key HR business partner to assigned departments within a $6 billion-asset community bank, administering programs designed to attract, develop, motivate, and retain a high-performing workforce. Ensures consistent interpretation and application of Bank policies and procedures and maintains compliance with all applicable federal, state, and local employment laws, as well as banking-specific regulatory requirements. 

Talent Management

• Partners with department managers and leadership across all Bank divisions on recruitment, selection, onboarding, placement, transfer, and promotion of employees; manages the full-cycle recruitment process for assigned requisitions using the Bank’s applicant tracking system (ATS).
• Manages relationships with external staffing agencies, executive search firms, and HR vendors; monitors service quality and ensures compliance with procurement policies.
• Provides back-up support for the Bank’s internship and early-career programs; partners with managers to identify needs, screens and selects candidates, monitors performance, and reports outcomes to HR leadership.
• Administers the employee onboarding process, including new-hire orientations, background checks, and pre-employment screening in compliance with banking regulations (SAFE Act, FDIC Section 19); conducts exit interviews and analyzes trends.
• Collaborates with managers to maintain accurate, compliant, and market-competitive job descriptions; ensures roles are properly classified under FLSA and aligned with the Bank’s salary structure.

Employee Relations

• Interprets and communicates Human Resources policies, procedures, and employment laws to management and employees; provides guidance and coaching to managers on employee relations matters, corrective action, and performance management.
• Assists with the administration of the Bank’s performance management cycle, including goal-setting, mid-year check-ins, and annual evaluations; coaches managers on effective feedback and documentation practices.
• Champions the Bank’s mission, vision, and values; actively promotes employee engagement, recognition programs, and a positive, inclusive workplace culture.
• Serves as a trusted resource for employees on workplace concerns, policy interpretation, and conflict resolution; conducts thorough and objective investigations when needed and recommends appropriate corrective actions.

Benefits Administration

• Administers employee benefits programs, including health, dental, vision, life, disability, 401(k), and wellness programs; serves as a primary point of contact for employee benefits inquiries and issue resolution.
• Coordinates annual open enrollment, including employee communications, vendor coordination, system updates, and enrollment auditing.
• Reviews benefit invoices for accuracy and reconcile discrepancies prior to payment.
• Processes benefit enrollments, life event changes, and terminations in HRIS and carrier systems.
• Maintains accurate employee benefit records and ensures data integrity across all platforms.
• Monitors eligibility requirements and ensures compliance with ERISA, ACA, HIPAA, COBRA, and other regulatory requirements.
• Prepares and distributes required notices such as SBCs, COBRA notices, and compliance updates.
• Partners with brokers to optimize benefit plans, resolve complex claim and coverage issues, and ensure effective carrier performance and compliance.
• Supports leave-of-absence administration, including FMLA, CFRA, PDL, ADA interactive process, and workers’ compensation coordination; ensures compliance with federal and California state leave requirements.

Compliance & Regulatory

• Maintains current and thorough knowledge of legal and regulatory requirements impacting HR in the banking industry, including employment laws, wage and hour regulations, FMLA/CFRA, ADA, employee benefits (ERISA, ACA, COBRA), EEO, and banking-specific regulations such as SAFE Act background screening and FDIC Section 19.
• Manages the development, implementation, and ongoing administration of the Bank's Affirmative Action Plan (AAP), including conducting adverse impact analyses, preparing annual plan updates, and ensuring compliance with applicable laws.
• Ensures compliance with all applicable federal, state, and Bank policies, procedures, and regulations, including the Bank Secrecy Act (BSA) and Anti-Money Laundering (AML) requirements as they relate to HR functions.
• Coordinates and tracks required employee compliance training (e.g., BSA/AML, cybersecurity awareness, harassment prevention, ethics); maintains training records and ensures readiness for regulatory audits and examinations.

HRIS & Workforce Analytics

• Maintains accurate and complete employee data within the HRIS ensures data integrity through regular audits and timely processing of employee changes.
  Generates workforce analytics, dashboards, and reports for management, senior leadership, and the Board’s Personnel/Compensation Committee, including headcount, turnover, time-to-fill, compensation benchmarking, and diversity metrics.
• Identifies opportunities to leverage HR technology to improve efficiency, employee experience, and data-driven decision-making across the HR function.
  Serve as the subject matter expert for HRIS modules such as Benefits, Recruiting, and HR/Payroll.

Organizational Development & Strategic Initiatives

• Leads and participates in a wide variety of HR projects and strategic initiatives, including process improvement, organizational development, workforce planning, and change management efforts aligned with the Bank’s growth strategy.
• Coordinates professional development programs and supports succession planning efforts; partners with managers to identify high-potential employees and development opportunities.
• Participates in cross-functional team projects to support the growth and development of the organization and success in meeting goals established in the Bank’s Business and Strategic Plans.

Community Engagement & Other Duties

• Supports Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) objectives through active participation in community organizations and events.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources Management, Business Administration, Organizational Psychology, or a related field, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Three to five (3–5) years of progressive Human Resources generalist experience. 
  Working knowledge of federal and California state employment laws, including FMLA/CFRA, ADA, FEHA, Title VII, FLSA, and California wage and hour requirements.
• Proficiency with HRIS platforms and applicant tracking systems; strong skills in Microsoft Office Suite, including Excel for data analysis.
  Strong understanding of HR data analytics, including the ability to generate and interpret workforce metrics and reports.
• Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills; ability to build credible, trusted relationships with employees at all levels of the organization.
• Strong organizational, project management, and prioritization skills; ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment with minimal supervision.
• Demonstrated ability to handle highly sensitive and confidential information with discretion and sound judgment.
• Strong problem-solving, critical thinking, analytical, and negotiation skills.
• Ability to work effectively both independently and as part of a collaborative team.