HR Director Jobs in California

HR Director jobs in California are among the most active in the country, concentrated in technology, entertainment, healthcare, and financial services, with openings ranging from first-time director roles to senior vice president of HR positions. The heaviest hiring is in Los Angeles, San Francisco, and San Diego, where employers like Kaiser Permanente, Wells Fargo, and Disney maintain large people operations teams. The most in-demand specialties are HR business partnering, total rewards, and talent acquisition leadership. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.

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Overview

Open roles184+
Top employerAdobe
Top cityLos Angeles, CA
Cities hiring79
Work type48% On-site
Top industryTechnology

Showing 5 of 184+ HR Director jobs

SprintRay
Executive Assistant & People Operations Coordinator
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SprintRay
New 18h ago
Executive Assistant & People Operations Coordinator
SprintRay
Los Angeles, California
Administrative & Office Support
Project & Program Management
Project Management
$70k - $80k/yr

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Abbott
Director, Human Resources – US & CALA (Canada & Latin America) Commercial
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Abbott
New 19h ago
Director, Human Resources – US & CALA (Canada & Latin America) Commercial
Abbott
Pleasanton, California
Cloud & DevOps
Executive Leadership & C-Suite
Project & Program Management
Technical Program Management
$172k - $344k/yr
Bachelor's degree in business
10,000+

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Chinatown Community Development Center
Director of Human Resources
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Chinatown Community Development Center
New 19h ago
Director of Human Resources
Chinatown Community Development Center
San Francisco, California
Software Engineering
Solutions Engineering & Architecture
Technical Product & Program Management
Technical Program Management
$169k - $178k/yr
Master's degree in human resource management
201-500

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Fulcrum
People Operations Generalist
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Fulcrum
New 19h ago
People Operations Generalist
Fulcrum
San Francisco, California
Business Operations
Product Management
Project Management
201-500

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Safe Place for Youth
Director of Human Resources
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Safe Place for Youth
New 21h ago
Director of Human Resources
Safe Place for Youth
Venice, California
Customer Service
Customer Support
$100k - $115k/yr
Master's degree

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See All 184+ HR Director Jobs in California

Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.

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HR Director Jobs by City in California

Where California roles are concentrated, by current openings.

San Diego
8 jobs
Santa Clara
5 jobs
Mountain View
5 jobs
Newport Beach
4 jobs
Santa Barbara
4 jobs
Irvine
3 jobs

HR Director Job Market in California

A snapshot from current California openings, updated as new roles post.

Who's Hiring

Adobe
Adobe4 open roles
PIMCO
PIMCO3 open roles
Marriott International
Marriott International3 open roles

Top Industries Hiring

  • Technology & Software
  • Electronics & Hardware
  • Construction & Real Estate
  • Investment & Asset Management
  • Retail

What California Employers Look For

The qualifications that appear most often in HR director jobs across California.

  • Bachelor's degree in human resources, business administration, or a related field required
  • PHR, SPHR, or SHRM-SCP certification strongly preferred by California employers
  • Seven or more years of progressive HR experience with at least three in a leadership role
  • Deep knowledge of California employment law including FEHA, CFRA, and CCPA compliance
  • Demonstrated experience managing full-cycle recruiting, compensation, and employee relations programs
  • Proficiency with HRIS platforms such as Workday, SAP SuccessFactors, or ADP Workforce Now

HR Director Jobs in California: Frequently Asked Questions

How do you become a hr director in California?

Most hr directors in California start with a bachelor's degree in human resources or business, then build experience across generalist and specialist roles before stepping into leadership. California does not require a state-issued license to work as an hr director, but earning the SHRM-SCP or SPHR credential is widely expected by California employers and signals readiness for the director level. Familiarity with California-specific employment law, including FEHA and CFRA, is essential before moving into a director seat.

How much do HR directors make in California?

HR directors in California earn a median of about $170,080 a year, based on May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, ranging from around $96,430 for the lowest 10% to over $307,600 for the top 10%. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and employer.

Which companies hire hr directors in California?

Employers hiring hr directors in California right now include Adobe, PIMCO, and Marriott International, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of August 2026. California's concentration of large technology firms, healthcare systems, and entertainment studios means consistent demand for experienced hr leadership across a wide range of industries and company sizes.

Which California cities have the most hr director jobs?

Los Angeles, San Francisco, and San Jose have the most hr director openings in California, reflecting the concentration of large corporate headquarters, hospital systems, and technology companies that maintain dedicated people operations teams in those metros. Smaller Bay Area cities and suburban Los Angeles markets also generate steady openings through mid-size employers and regional offices anchored in those hubs.

Are there remote hr director jobs in California?

Yes, and more than most fields. About 52% of hr director openings tied to California are remote or hybrid as of August 2026, reflecting how much of the role involves strategy, compliance advisory, and systems work that can be done off-site. Functions like employee relations investigations, onboarding, and site-specific labor relations still draw in-person requirements, so fully remote roles tend to focus on generalist or HRbusiness partner responsibilities.

How can I get hired as a hr director in California with little or no experience?

The most realistic entry path is moving into an HR manager or senior HR business partner role first, then building toward director-level scope over two to three years. Large California employers like Kaiser Permanente, UC Health systems, and major technology firms run structured HR development programs and regularly promote from manager to director internally. Earning the SHRM-CP or PHR before applying and gaining hands-on exposure to California-specific compliance areas, particularly FEHA and leave administration, makes candidates noticeably more competitive for that step up.

Where can I find and apply to hr director jobs in California?

You can find and apply to hr director jobs in California on Migrate Mate, which lists current California openings updated regularly. Find roles that match your experience and location preference, then apply directly to the employers posting them.

See All 184+ HR Director Jobs in California

Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.

Find HR Director Jobs