Director, Human Resources: MS & L

Director, Human Resources – Western Region

MS&L seeks a Director, Human Resources for our Western region, based in San Francisco . This position will manage and lead the human resources function for four offices located in LA, SF and Seattle and work in partnership with the Western region President, COO and finance director, as well as the North American HR team.

As our Western region director of human resources, you will work across all HR disciplines including recruitment, employee relations, training & development, employee programs, compensation management and all generalist duties. You will also have the opportunity to join the West Coast leadership team to help develop and drive the business plan for the region.

Responsibilities will include:

• Drive the recruitment efforts to staff to source, screen and recommend qualified candidates for a growing region
• Partner with the North American talent acquisition team on new and innovative recruitment strategies to fill all open positions within the offices and pipeline for future needs
• Network proactively, internally and externally, on an on-going basis to identify top talent at the agency and in the marketplace
• Work in partnership with each of our SVP leaders to understand their changing needs and develop effective recruitment, talent management, and retention strategies to meet these needs
• Lead and manage our local university outreach, summer internship program and career fair participation
• Assist with development and execution of the region’s training program
• Manage and provide counsel on all employee relations matters including conflict resolution, compliance with agency policies, exit procedures, employment law related issues (specific knowledge of California labor/employment laws)
• Assist with budget forecasting as it relates to merit and promotional increases, help staff accounts and manage staff utilization
• Drive the performance management process for the local markets including ensuring compliance with our practices
• Serve as a resource to employees on policies and practices
• Run orientation and onboarding for all new hires
• Handle HR related paperwork for current employees, including processing
• Advise managers on career development plans for employees, assist with budget forecasting as it relates to merit and promotional increases, help staff new and growing accounts
• Execute on the office’s recognition program and engagement programs
• Oversee office management team and other administrative staff
• Work closely with North American HR team to drive agency wide initiatives
• Liaise with sister agencies on best practices

All interested applicants must have a bachelor’s degree (human resources preferred) and 7-9 years experience in a California-based human resources department, preferably at a public relations, communication or social media agency. Candidate must be well-connected in the West coast marketplaces for talent outreach and must have excellent verbal & written communication skills, be proactive, have a high level of professionalism & self-confidence and have the ability to work effectively in a high energy, fast paced environment. Candidate must have a keen understanding of confidentiality and a proven ability in making strong judgment calls. Experience with Peoplesoft and an ATS system is a plus.

This position will require monthly travel within the region (LA and Seattle).

Forward resumes with salary requirements to Tara Lilien via email (tara.lilien@mslworldwide.com). Please indicate the job title in the subject line of the email.