HR Associate

About San Francisco Bay University (SFBU)

San Francisco Bay University (SFBU) is a nonprofit, WASC-accredited university located in the heart of Silicon Valley in Fremont, California. SFBU’s mission is to offer inclusive, innovative, and inspirational education for lifelong careers, and our vision is to set the standard as a national model of higher education in service of the common good.

At SFBU, students come first. We foster personal engagement among students, faculty, and staff and are deeply committed to affordability, diversity, equity, inclusion, and social justice.

Learn more about SFBU’s strategic direction at

https://www.sfbu.edu/strategic-plan [https://www.sfbu.edu/strategic-plan].

Position Overview

Reporting to the Director of Human Resources, the HR Associate plays a key role in supporting SFBU’s human resources operations across talent acquisition, employee lifecycle administration, HR compliance, HRIS reporting, and workplace culture initiatives.

This role is designed for an HR professional who thrives in a fast-paced, growth-oriented environment and is eager to build broad HR capability while exercising independent judgment and discretion. The HR Associate collaborates closely with the HR Director, Talent Acquisition Specialist, and HR Generalist, providing cross-functional support while progressively taking ownership of defined projects and initiatives.

This is an exempt, hybrid position, requiring a regular onsite presence three days per week at SFBU’s Fremont campus.

Core Responsibilities

• Talent Acquisition & Recruitment Support
• Coordinate and schedule candidate interviews; manage communication with applicants, hiring managers, and HR team members.
• Support full-cycle recruitment efforts, including job postings, application review, and maintaining ATS data accuracy.
• Assist with recruiting initiatives and process improvements to enhance candidate experience and hiring efficiency.

• Employee Lifecycle, Onboarding & Records Management
• Prepare and maintain onboarding materials and assist in facilitating new employee orientation.
• Support the full employee lifecycle, including onboarding, employee changes, and offboarding processes.
• Maintain accurate and confidential personnel records (electronic and physical), including I-9s, background checks, and employment documentation, in compliance with federal, state, and institutional requirements.

• Payroll, Benefits & Compliance Support
• Coordinate employee data changes, timekeeping updates, and payroll-related information with TriNet, in partnership with the HR Director and HR Generalist.
• Support benefits administration, including enrollments, changes, and responding to employee inquiries.
• Track and maintain HR compliance documentation to support audits, training, accreditation requirements, and institutional filings.

• HR Operations, HRIS & Reporting
• Extract, analyze, and prepare HRIS data and reports to support compliance, workforce metrics, and decision-making.
• Assist in drafting, updating, and maintaining HR forms, SOPs, and policy documentation. Support HR communications, policy updates, and intranet/portal content.

• Workplace Culture & Program Support
• Support workplace culture, engagement, and development initiatives, including recognition programs, surveys, wellness activities, and training logistics.
• Assist with coordinating HR-sponsored trainings, campus-wide meetings, and events. Provide onboarding guidance and task coordination for student assistants as needed (no formal supervisory responsibility).

• Collaboration & Project Support
• Provide operational and project support to the HR Director, HR Generalist, and Talent Acquisition Specialist.
• Collaborate with campus departments to support HR initiatives, promote policy adherence, and enhance employee experience.
• Participate actively in HR team meetings, projects, and compliance activities.
• Perform other duties as assigned, with opportunities to expand responsibility and scope over time.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and HR experience.
• 2–4 years of progressive experience in HR operations, recruiting, onboarding, or employee lifecycle support.
• Experience maintaining personnel records and supporting HR compliance.
• Familiarity with HR best practices, employment laws, and recruiting processes.
• Strong organizational skills with high attention to detail and the ability to manage competing priorities.
• Excellent interpersonal and written communication skills with a strong customer-service orientation.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite and Google Workspace; experience with HRIS/ATS systems required (TriNet preferred).

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in higher education or nonprofit environments.
• Knowledge of California employment regulations.
• Experience creating or updating HR forms, SOPs, or policy documentation.
• Experience with HRIS reporting, metrics tracking, or workforce planning.
• Event coordination or program support experience.

• Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities
• Ability to exercise sound judgment and discretion when handling sensitive and confidential information.
• Ability to analyze HR data and identify trends or compliance risks.
• Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively within a small HR team.
• Adaptability and comfort working in a growing, evolving organization.
• Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and social justice.

• Work Environment & Physical Demands
• Hybrid work environment with a regular onsite presence three days per week.
• Duties are primarily performed in an office setting.
• Physical demands may include sitting, standing, bending, and lifting up to 20 lbs.
• Occasional attendance at offsite meetings or university events may be required.

Salary Range

$72,000 – $80,000 annually, commensurate with experience and qualifications.

Application Process

Please submit

• Current Resume or CV
• Cover Letter (detailing your interest and qualifications for this role)

This position description is not intended to cover or contain a comprehensive list of activities, duties, or responsibilities required by the employee. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change, or new ones may be assigned at any time, with or without notice.

SFBU is an Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action Employer

SFBU is committed to providing equal employment opportunities for all employees and applicants for employment. SFBU does not discriminate in employment opportunities or practices based on race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by law.

In accordance with federal and state disability laws, San Francisco Bay University provides reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities. If you require assistance during the application or interview process, please contact SFBU Human Resources at hrmgr@sfbu.edu.