Senior Associate Athletic Director of Human Resources

Position Overview:

The University of Southern California (USC) is seeking a dynamic, experienced, and forward-thinking leader to serve as the Senior Associate Athletic Director for Human Resources. This pivotal role, reporting directly to the Executive Director of Client Services, will drive strategic HR initiatives, leadership development, and comprehensive human capital management across USC Athletics. As a key advisor to the athletics leadership team, the Senior Associate AD for HR will play a crucial role in aligning HR strategies with USC’s mission, fostering a high-performing, diverse, and engaged workforce across all athletic departments.

A primary focus of this role is employee relations, making it critical for the successful candidate to have extensive experience managing complex employee relations issues, maintaining compliance, and fostering a positive, inclusive, and legally compliant work environment. This role is ideal for an HR leader who excels in problem-solving, conflict resolution, and developing strong employee relations strategies that support the university’s goals.

This role requires full-time, on-site presence five days a week to promote strong team collaboration and drive collective success across USC Athletics.

Key Responsibilities:

• Employee Relations Leadership: Serve as the lead advisor on all employee relations matters, ensuring effective management of employee concerns, conflict resolution, and performance-related issues. Act as a trusted partner to managers and staff to mitigate legal risks and ensure compliance with university policies and employment laws.

• Leadership and Strategy: Oversee HR teams, providing strategic direction and ensuring alignment with both short- and long-term organizational goals. Lead HR service transformation, focusing on talent development, employee engagement, and organizational effectiveness.

• Talent Management: Identify learning and career mobility opportunities, develop succession plans, and create programs that foster employee growth and retention. Use people analytics to inform talent management strategies and drive decision-making.

• Change Management: Lead HR initiatives that support continuous improvement in organizational performance and adaptability. Drive change management efforts to enhance capacity and efficiency.

• Stakeholder Engagement: Build strong relationships with stakeholders to understand and address business needs across Athletics. Maintain open communication with staff to proactively identify opportunities for improvement and implement HR solutions.

• Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI): Integrate USC’s core values, including DEI, into all HR programs. Promote an inclusive work environment where diverse perspectives are valued and supported.

• Operational Excellence: Oversee the implementation of HR systems and processes that ensure consistent, effective HR service delivery. Ensure compliance with labor laws, university policies, and regulatory requirements.

• Coaching and Mentorship: Provide leadership and mentorship to HR teams, fostering a high-performance culture and supporting the professional development of HR staff.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in business administration, human resources, organizational development, or a related field.

• 10+ years of experience in human capital management, with a strong emphasis on employee relations, talent management, and change management.

• 4+ years of management experience with expertise in HR strategy and implementation across various domains (e.g., compensation, DEI, organizational development).

• Previous HR leadership experience working in intercollegiate athletics and/or sports administration.

• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build trust and navigate complex organizational structures.

• Deep knowledge of labor and employment laws, with experience advising on workforce planning, talent assessments, and performance management.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in business administration, human resources, or a related field.

• 12+ years of HR experience, with 6+ years in leadership roles, ideally within higher education or a sports organization.

• Demonstrated success in transforming HR services from tactical to strategic and driving industry-leading HR practices, including DEI initiatives.

• Proven ability to lead organizational change while maintaining an ethical, equitable, and inclusive environment.

• Experience in a unionized environment.

• Familiarity with NCAA and Big Ten Conference regulations.

• Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD), Certified Professional in Learning and Performance (CPLP), Organization Development Certified Professional Program (ODCP), Society for Human Resource Management Certified Professional/Senior Certified Professional (SHRM-CP/SHRM-SCP), Professional in Human Resources/Senior Professional in Human Resources (PHR/SPHR) or other similar certifications.  

If you are an experienced HR professional with a passion for employee relations and a desire to contribute to a top-tier athletics program, we encourage you to apply!

Required Documents and Additional Information:

Resume and cover letter required (may be uploaded as one file). Please do not submit your application without these documents.

The salary range for this position is $160,000 – $180,000. When extending an offer of employment, the University of Southern California considers factors such as (but not limited to) the scope and responsibilities of the position, the candidate’s work experience, education/training, key skills, internal peer equity, federal, state, and local laws, contractual stipulations, grant funding, as well as external market and organizational considerations. The University of Southern California values diversity and is committed to equal opportunity in employment.

The University of Southern California is an Equal Opportunity Employer