Merit HR is partnering with a highly successful, privately held commercial real estate investment and management firm to identify an experienced Human Resources Manager for its Irvine headquarters. With approximately 260 employees across 13 states and a growing international presence, this well-established organization has built its reputation on strong performance, entrepreneurial thinking, and a culture of accountability. Its team is composed of talented professionals who take pride in their work, move quickly, and value collaboration.
We are seeking an accomplished, well-rounded HR professional who enjoys operating at both the strategic and tactical levels. Reporting directly to the Vice President of Human Resources, this individual will serve as a trusted partner and key member of a small, highly collaborative HR team. This is an excellent opportunity for someone who brings meaningful HR experience, sound business judgment, and the confidence to advise managers and executives while remaining equally comfortable managing the details that keep an HR function running effectively.
The right person will appreciate the breadth, visibility, and professional growth that come with working in a lean, high-performing organization where individual contributions truly matter.
The Role
The Human Resources Manager will have broad responsibility across talent acquisition, employee relations, performance management, talent development, HR programs, and compliance.
Talent acquisition will be a significant component of the role, with recruiting needs fluctuating based on business activity. Success requires someone who can shift comfortably between managing multiple searches, advising leaders on sensitive employee matters, and advancing longer-term HR initiatives.
Key responsibilities include:
Talent Acquisition & Workforce Planning
- Lead full-cycle recruiting for professional, corporate, accounting, operations, and property management positions across multiple locations.
- Partner with hiring managers to define talent needs, develop recruiting strategies, and make thoughtful hiring decisions.
- Personally manage sourcing, screening, interviewing, candidate coordination, offers, and onboarding.
- Build talent pipelines, manage recruiting agency relationships, and continually improve recruiting processes and the candidate experience.
Employee Relations & Leadership Support
- Serve as a trusted advisor to managers on employee relations, performance concerns, workplace conduct, and employee development.
- Conduct investigations, provide practical recommendations, and support fair, consistent resolution of employee matters.
- Coach managers through challenging conversations, corrective actions, and sensitive employment decisions.
- Exercise exceptional discretion and sound judgment when handling confidential employee, executive, and compensation information.
Performance Management & Talent Development
- Support performance management programs, annual review processes, and the implementation of performance management technology.
- Partner with leaders to strengthen feedback, coaching, accountability, and employee development.
- Contribute to talent reviews, retention strategies, and organizational effectiveness initiatives.
HR Programs, Compliance & Organizational Support
- Partner closely with the VP of HR on HR strategy, policies, programs, compensation projects, and organizational initiatives.
- Support employment law compliance across multiple states, with exposure to international HR considerations.
- Identify opportunities to improve processes, leverage technology, and strengthen the employee experience.
- Contribute wherever needed as part of a small team that values shared responsibility and collaboration.
What You Bring
We are seeking a seasoned HR professional who combines strong technical knowledge with the interpersonal sophistication to build credibility throughout an organization.
Qualifications and experience:
- Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related field.
- 7+ years of progressive HR experience, including meaningful responsibility across multiple HR disciplines.
- Demonstrated success managing full-cycle recruiting for professional and corporate positions.
- Strong employee relations experience, including workplace investigations, performance management, and coaching leaders.
- Solid knowledge of California employment law and experience supporting employees across multiple states.
- Experience working in a corporate headquarters or professional services environment, ideally supporting geographically dispersed teams.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, including the ability to interact confidently and effectively with senior executives.
- Strong organizational skills and the ability to manage shifting priorities without losing attention to detail.
- Experience in commercial real estate, property management, investment management, or a similarly fast-paced professional environment is welcome. International HR exposure is a plus, but not required.
Equally Important: How You Work
Technical expertise matters, but so does the way you approach your work and your colleagues.
We believe the person who will thrive in this role is someone who:
- Brings maturity and sound judgment. You understand the importance of confidentiality, professional boundaries, and thoughtful communication.
- Is confident without ego. You have the experience to offer a point of view, the humility to listen, and the willingness to roll up your sleeves.
- Is articulate and credible. You communicate effectively with executives, managers, and employees and know how to adapt your approach to different audiences.
- Thrives in a fast-paced environment. You anticipate needs, respond to changing priorities, and take ownership without requiring extensive direction.
- Values teamwork and accountability. You welcome feedback, follow through on commitments, and take pride in contributing to the success of the broader team.
- Thinks beyond the immediate issue. You ask good questions, consider different perspectives, and bring practical solutions rather than simply identifying problems.
Why Consider This Opportunity?
- This organization offers a distinctive combination of stability, entrepreneurial energy, and access to senior leadership.
- You will work directly with an experienced and respected VP of HR who values collaboration, thoughtful problem-solving, and professional development. The HR function has a history of long-tenured leadership, and the role offers meaningful exposure to business decisions and the opportunity to contribute across the full scope of human resources.
- For someone who enjoys being close to the business, appreciates a strong work ethic, and wants to be part of a capable team where contributions are visible and valued, this is a compelling opportunity.
Compensation & Work Environment
- Base salary: $120,000–$130,000, depending on experience
- Bonus: Eligible for a discretionary annual bonus program
- Location: Irvine, California
- Schedule: Full-time, onsite five days per week, with an approved early-release Friday flexibility program
Interested?
If you are an experienced HR professional who enjoys the full breadth of human resources, takes pride in delivering excellent work, and values the opportunity to serve as a trusted partner in a successful organization, we welcome your interest.
Merit HR is an executive search and staffing firm specializing exclusively in Human Resources. We look forward to learning more about your background and career interests.