Human Resources Director

Our client, a high-growth wealth management firm headquartered in the San Fernando Valley, has engaged us to identify a Director of Human Resources to join their lean, entrepreneurial team. This role offers the opportunity to lead the firm's human capital function while partnering with leadership to elevate advisor operations and drive organizational performance. This role will report to the COO of the company and is required to be in the office every day.

The company is a fast-growing RIA with $1.5 billion in assets under management and ~20 employees. The firm provides high-touch wealth management services to high-net-worth clients and is seeking to implement scalable systems and a robust people strategy as it enters its next phase of growth.

This role is ideal for someone who thrives in a high-accountability, high-impact environment and wants to help shape the future of a growing wealth management firm.

The role includes a competitive base salary, annual incentive bonus and benefits such as profit sharing, a 401K match, subsidized health care coverage, company paid life insurance, and a discretionary firm-wide annual bonus separately from the incentive bonus.

About the job:

As Director of Human Resources, you will oversee the full employee lifecycle and implement the best practices in organizational planning, performance management, compliance and recruiting. Additionally, you will manage the advisor experience—ensuring lead allocation, event participation, productivity metrics, and career development are aligned with the firm's business goals.

The ideal candidate has 10+ years of relevant experience in HR, operations, or practice management in financial services or a comparable professional environment. Strong knowledge of California labor law, strategic thinking, recruiting and the ability to execute in a lean, fast-paced setting are essential.

The following information will provide more insight. After reviewing the details below our hope is that you may know someone who would be interested in this highly visible role. Feel free to distribute this document to others.

If you have any questions or require further information, please contact Adam Kaufman at 818.216.7684 or adamkaufman@kaufmansearch.com .

Key Responsibilities

Human Resources Leadership

• Own and manage all HR functions: employment contracts, onboarding, benefits administration, and employee relations.
• Ensure compliance with California labor laws and evolving HR regulations.
• Manage payroll systems and coordinate with finance.
• Design and implement incentive programs to align employee goals with firm growth.
• Lead organizational planning and people strategy, including role design, succession planning, and performance management.

Advisor Operations & Team Enablement

• Oversee lead flow allocation and capacity planning to optimize advisor productivity.
• Manage and coordinate client event planning and advisor participation.
• Track and manage KPIs for advisor teams (e.g., AUM growth, client acquisition, retention).
• Support advisor career path development and internal communication.
• Ensure the team remains aligned with the firm’s broader goals and values.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of relevant experience in human resources, operations, or practice management within financial services or a comparable professional services environment.
• Deep knowledge of California employment law and HR compliance best practices.
• Recruiting experience required.
• Experience working closely with or supporting financial advisors, wealth managers, or investment professionals.
• Strong organizational skills and ability to manage multiple workflows across departments.
• Strategic thinker with the ability to operate hands-on in a small, entrepreneurial team.
• Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills.

About Kaufman Search: For more than 30 years we have been specializing in the placement of Accounting, Finance, Tax and Human Resources professionals in Southern California. Our expertise, contacts, and reputation combine to help companies identify, attract, and acquire the most talented professionals. Thank you. For more details please visit https://kaufmansearch.com/ . Thank you.