Job Summary Under general direction of the Endowed Dean of the College of Engineering and with a dotted line report to the Associate Vice President for Human Resources, the Assistant Director of Personnel provides strategic management and oversight of all Human Resources (HR) and Academic Personnel (AP) functions for the College of Engineering. This role oversees human resource functions such as labor and employee relations, support of CENG management and department chairs regarding human resources strategy, performance management, professional development, faculty rank and tenure processes, faculty and staff leave processes, strategy and process for talent acquisition and recruitment, employee onboarding, and position classifications.
This position also provides strategic direction, management and oversight of three key employees within the dean's office staff, the Personnel Coordinator, the Front Office and Advancement Coordinator, and the CENG Dean's Office Coordinator (Front Office and Associate Dean Support). The Assistant Director of Personnel has operational responsibility for the Dean's Office ensuring staff are appropriately trained and work assignments are completed.
In support of the Dean and the college, the Assistant Director of Personnel plays a critical role in partnering with the eleven departments, including at the Maritime campus, and multiple operational units (ex. communications, development, advising) throughout the college to support a broad scope of academic personnel faculty processes and systems to support the college's strategic mission and operational goals. The incumbent plays a vital role in building strong relationships with key stakeholders in the college, the Academic Affairs division, the university, and the community to understand and address the strategic personnel needs of the college. In collaboration with the Dean, the AVP of Academic Personnel, legal counsel and Department Chairs, the incumbent identifies, addresses, and remedies confidential, sensitive, and highly complex personnel matters providing expertise and recommendations, with a focus on continuous improvement and long-term organizational development.
Department Summary Cal Poly's College of Engineering (CENG) is the largest of Cal Poly's six colleges in terms of overall major enrollment. CENG is widely recognized as an international leader in engineering education because of its Learn by Doing, hands-on approach, and the college is the anchor of Cal Poly's overall reputation in the state, nation and world. With 6,800 engineering and computer science students, seventeen undergraduate and ten graduate degree programs, the college is one of the West's largest engineering colleges. The college employs almost 310 FTE faculty, with the individual faculty number being much higher due to the number of part-time lecturers. The college also employs approximately 60 staff, and hundreds of graduate and student assistants. Employees of the colleges are represented by five different unions, each with a distinct collective bargaining agreement.
Key Qualifications - Knowledge of standard Human Resources theories, principles, practices, and techniques.
- Skilled at building partnerships and working collaboratively with others to meet shared objectives.
- Demonstrated skill coordinating several personnel functions and determining the relative importance of each; and demonstrated ability to work with a high level of productivity and accuracy/attention to detail,
- Thorough knowledge of or ability to quickly learn CSU classification standards, collective bargaining contracts, and principles of labor relations, Strong analytical and research skills; ability to gather, evaluate, interpret and consistently apply a wide variety of complex regulations, policies, and procedures and to develop well-reasoned conclusions and recommendations.
- Knowledge of workforce planning, project management, and change management principles.
Education and Experience - Bachelor's degree in human resource management, Business, Higher Education, or a related field and five (5) years of progressively responsible human resources experience. Additional qualifying experience may be substituted for the required education on a year-for-year basis.
Salary and Benefits The anticipated hiring range for this role is $100,000 - $120,000. Note that the offer is calculated based on the background and relevant years of experience of the individual selected.
Factors in determining the appropriate compensation for a role include experience, skills, knowledge, abilities, education, licensure and certifications, and other business and organizational needs. The Anticipated Hiring Range referenced in the job posting is the budgeted salary or hourly range that the University reasonably expects to pay for this position. The Classification Range may be broader than what the University anticipates paying for this position, based on internal equity, budget, and collective bargaining agreements (when applicable).
Cal Poly offers a best-in-class benefits program, including health, dental and vision insurance, retirement participation in the Public Employees' Retirement System, and educational benefits for eligible employees. See our benefits website for additional information.
About Cal Poly Cal Poly is a nationally ranked public university located in San Luis Obispo, California, and known for its Learn by Doing philosophy. Each year more than 22,000 top-tier students come to San Luis Obispo and Cal Poly Maritime Academy in Solano County to put knowledge into action, taking their learning outside the classroom as they prepare for careers in engineering, agriculture, science, business, humanities, maritime and the built environment. Cal Poly's hands-on philosophy, small class sizes and close student-faculty mentorships result in graduates ready from day one to impact their communities, California and the world. For more information, visit www.calpoly.edu .
Working Within the California State University System As part of the California State University, the nation's largest public four-year university system, Cal Poly employees contribute to a broader mission of advancing knowledge, creating opportunity and serving the people of California.
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Advertised: Sep 18 2026 Pacific Daylight Time
Applications close: 
