Director, Talent Acquisition Compliance

Director, Talent Acquisition Compliance
Division of Human Resources
University of Southern California

USC Human Resources is excited to introduce a strategic leadership opportunity for a seasoned, compliance-driven professional to help shape the future of talent acquisition at one of the nation's premier research universities. The Director of Talent Acquisition Compliance will play a pivotal role in USC's broader workforce strategy, ensuring that hiring practices are consistent, inclusive, and legally sound across a dynamic and evolving institution.

As USC continues to advance its long-term goals, this role has been purposefully designed to drive operational excellence, policy alignment, and a best-in-class, inclusive hiring framework rooted in the university's values. The Director will shape and lead USC's compliance strategy in talent acquisition, partnering across schools, divisions, and functions to deliver a seamless, high-quality experience for candidates and employees alike.

About the Role

The Director of Talent Acquisition Compliance will oversee compliance efforts across all recruitment functions, including employment and volunteer screening, EEO reporting, non-W2 worker oversight, vendor management, and licensing. This is a unique opportunity to build and scale an enterprise-wide compliance program, introduce innovative, data-driven improvements, and foster trust through effective education, communication, and collaboration.

This is a hybrid position under USC's current work arrangement plan, with the expectation of an on-site presence 2-3 days per week at the University Park Campus. The role may require occasional work on evenings, weekends, or holidays depending on business needs.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the strategic development and implementation of all talent acquisition compliance frameworks.

• Oversee policy adherence, audits, dashboards, and risk mitigation across employment-related systems and processes.

• Direct compliance operations, including but not limited to executive screening, employment and volunteer screening, independent contractor review, AI risk mitigation, and vendor partnerships.

• Keep up to date with California legislation and regulatory requirements, ensuring all talent acquisition practices remain compliant with local, state and federal standards.

• Maintain currency with emerging issues and trends, preparing and sharing communications accordingly.

• Drive continuous process improvement in a way that balances compliance rigor with service excellence.

• Establish compliance direction based on research and data-driven insights.

• Partner closely with internal stakeholders, executive leadership, and HR teams across the university.

• Cultivate a culture of accountability, transparency, and equity across all compliance workstreams.

• Lead, develop and mentor the team to become subject matter experts and trusted thought partners in every aspect of TA compliance.

Minimum Qualifications

• Master's degree in psychology, sociology, human resources, business administration, political science, law, communication, English, or related field(s); or a combination of experience/education as a substitute for minimum education.

• 6 years of job-related experience, including 4 years in a management or leadership capacity.

• Exceptional organizational, interpersonal, and written/oral communication skills.

• Demonstrated proficiency with data privacy laws and relevant HR/industry legislation (e.g., Fair Chance Act).

• Outstanding attention to detail and ability to manage highly confidential, complex, and politically sensitive matters.

• Proven ability to work independently, manage time-sensitive assignments with discretion, and meet strict deadlines.

• Ability to analyze metrics to find patterns, gain deeper insights, and understand the causes behind HR data to enable data-driven, strategic decision-making for the entire organization.

• Proficiency with HR applications and tools, including Microsoft Office, Workday, and Smartsheet.

• Budget oversight experience and the use of data to shape strategic decisions.

Preferred Qualifications

• 8 years of job-related experience, including 6 years in a management or leadership capacity.

• Experience in higher education or a matrixed organization.

• Background in vendor management and compliance platforms, including RFPs and automated decision-making tools.

• Experience designing compliance dashboards, delivering training, and overseeing executive-level screening.

• Track record of building or enhancing compliance frameworks.

• Demonstrates emotional intelligence, political acumen, and the ability to listen empathetically.

• Knowledge of risk management and liability issues in complex organizations.

• Cultural fluency on issues like immigration, socioeconomics, and LGBTQIA+ inclusion.

• Fluency in Spanish or another language beyond English is a plus.

• Preferred certifications include:

  • Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR)

  • Certified Compensation Professional (CCP, WorldatWork)

  • Project Management Professional (PMP)

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 budgeted salary range for this position is $160,000-$161,236. When extending an offer of employment, the University of Southern California considers factors such as the scope and responsibilities of the position, the candidate's work experience, education/training, key skills, internal peer alignment, federal, state, and local laws, contractual stipulations, grant funding, as well as external market and organizational considerations.

To support faculty and staff well-being, USC provides benefits-eligible employees with a broad range of benefits and perks to help protect their and their dependents' health, wealth, and future. These benefits are available as part of USC's overall compensation and total rewards package. You can learn more about USC's comprehensive benefits here.

Minimum Education: Master's degree In Psychology Or Sociology Or Human Resources Or Business Administration Or Political Science Or Law Or Communication Or English Or in related field(s)
Addtional Education Requirements Combined experience/education as substitute for minimum education
Minimum Experience: 6 years years of job-related experience And 4 years years of management experience
Minimum Skills: Exceptional organizational, interpersonal, and written/oral communication skills. Proficiency with data privacy and other relevant HR/industry best practices, policies, and legislation (e.g., Fair Chance Act). Exceptional attention to detail. Ability to develop analytics from multiple complex streams of data, assess risk, interpret trends, develop mitigation strategies, and drive continuous improvements. Proven track record of working independently with minimal supervision, deftly handling time-sensitive matters, meeting strict deadlines, and accomplishing confidential tasks. Ability to manage numerous highly confidential, complex, and politically sensitive matters. Proficiency with numerous relevant HR applications and office management software/tools (e.g., Microsoft, Workday, Smartsheet).
Preferred Certifications: Certified Compensation Professional - CCP (WorldatWork) Senior Professional in Human Resources - SPHR Project Management Professional (PMP)
Preferred Experience: 8 years years of job-related experience And 6 years years of management experience
Preferred Skills: Demonstrated knowledge of risk management/liability issues in higher education and/or matrixed organizations. Experience managing vendor relationships and platforms (e.g., conducting RFIs and RFPs, automated decision-making tools). Demonstrated experience creating high-level dashboards, designing and delivering compliance training, and conducting and directly overseeing executive screening. Proven experience establishing, developing and/or enhancing compliance frameworks. Experience managing budgets, driving alignment, and using data and insights to inform strategies. Extensive knowledge and/or understanding of numerous cultural issues (e.g., immigration, socioeconomics, LGBTQIA+). Multilingual communication skills, fluent in Spanish and/or other languages beyond English.