Head of Human Resources

About us: 

Simon Wiesenthal Center (SWC) is a global Jewish human rights organization that confronts anti-Semitism and hate, defends the safety of Israel and Jews worldwide, and teaches the lessons of the Holocaust through awareness, advocacy, justice, education, and its Museums of Tolerance. With a constituency of over 400,000 member families since its founding in 1977, the SWC has an international footprint through its Museums of Tolerance, Moriah Films, and the Digital Terrorism + Hate Project.  

Headquartered in Los Angeles, it maintains operations in New York, Chicago, Miami, Toronto, Paris, Berlin, Jerusalem, and Buenos Aires. It is an accredited Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) at the United Nations, UNESCO, the Organization of American States, the Latin American Parliament, and the Council of Europe and maintains relationships with the highest levels of governments throughout the world.  

In 1993, the Center opened the Museum of Tolerance in Los Angeles to worldwide acclaim. The Museum has served as the Center’s flagship educational arm, challenging visitors to confront bigotry and racism, and to understand the Holocaust in both historical and contemporary contexts. In addition, the Center developed Moriah Media to produce theatrical documentaries to educate global audiences. Moriah has produced 17 documentaries to date, two of which have received the Academy Award for best feature documentary, The Long Way Home and Genocide. 

About the role: 

The Simon Wiesenthal Center is seeking a mission-driven, strategic, and hands-on Head of HR to build and lead our Human Resources function. This is a unique opportunity to shape HR at one of the world’s leading human rights organizations, ensuring our people, policies, and practices reflect our values and advance our mission. 

Reporting to the Interim CFO and partnering closely with leadership and the Compensation Committee, the Head of HR will establish HR policies and processes, drive organizational effectiveness, and support the professional growth, engagement, and well-being of our staff. This role will oversee domestic operations with some involvement in our international offices. 

We seek an HR leader who is both strategic and operational—able to build from the ground up, guide culture, and implement systems that strengthen organizational impact. 

Key Responsibilities 

Build and Lead the HR Function 

• Develop, document, and implement comprehensive HR policies and procedures that align with SWC’s mission and operational needs. 
• Create a complete HR policy manual and revise the employee handbook to ensure clarity, accessibility, and compliance with current laws. 
• Establish an organizational framework for HR operations, including workflows for onboarding, employee changes, and separation processes. 
• Introduce metrics and reporting tools to track HR performance, employee engagement, and organizational health. 

Compensation, Benefits & Compliance 

• Partner with benefits brokers and compensation consultants to design a standardized, competitive, and equitable salary and benefits structure. 
• Review existing benefits for alignment with employee needs, cost-effectiveness, and industry benchmarks, recommending enhancements where appropriate. 
• Oversee compliance with all federal, state, and local labor and employment laws, including wage and hour regulations, workplace safety standards, and reporting requirements. 
• Collaborate with IT to implement or optimize HRIS systems to manage employee records, time-off balances, benefits enrollment, and compliance documentation. 

Employee Relations & Culture 

• Serve as the trusted advisor and point of escalation for all employee relations matters, resolving issues fairly, consistently, and in line with SWC values. 
• Foster an inclusive workplace culture that reflects respect, accountability, and shared commitment to the mission. 
• Proactively identify workplace trends or morale issues and develop targeted strategies to address them before they escalate. 
• Create communication channels to ensure employees feel heard, informed, and supported. 

Leadership & Collaboration 

• Provide HR guidance and coaching to executives, managers, and team leaders to strengthen leadership capabilities and decision-making. 
• Partner with the finance team to develop HR-related budget forecasts, track HR expenditures, and ensure fiscal responsibility in personnel decisions. 
• Manage and negotiate relationships with external vendors such as benefits administrators, training providers, and legal counsel, ensuring service quality and cost efficiency. 
• Support organizational change management efforts to help staff adapt to evolving needs and structures. 

Qualifications 

• Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree preferred. 
• 10+ years of progressive HR experience, including at least 5 years in a generalist or leadership role. 
• Experience in mission-driven or nonprofit organizations; international exposure a plus. 
• Proven expertise in policy development, compliance, compensation and benefits strategy, performance management, and employee relations. 
• Exceptional organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines. 
• Demonstrated track record of successfully leading organizational change and fostering a positive, collaborative culture. 
• High discretion and integrity in handling sensitive and confidential matters. 
• Passion for SWC’s mission and an interest in Jewish life and community. 

Why Join Us 

At SWC, you will help shape the future of a globally respected organization committed to justice, tolerance, and truth. This role is more than HR—it’s about building the team and culture that will carry our mission forward for generations. 

Our Benefits: 

We value our people and offer a collaborative and engaging culture. As a SWC employee, you will enjoy work/life balance, generous time off and comprehensive benefits and programs.  The Simon Wiesenthal Center embraces inclusivity and values our diverse community. We are committed to building a team based on qualifications, merit and business need. We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer and do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status.