General Statement of Job
The Director of Human Resources is a hands-on leader who coordinates all human resources functions, including recruitment, compensation and benefits, employee relations and retention, training, and employee services, and payroll functions either directly or through team members. This position also oversees the planning, development, and administration of HR policies, operations, and staff to ensure legal compliance and alignment with the university’s mission and talent strategy.
Specific Duties and Responsibilities
Essential Duties:
- Provide strategic leadership for HR by overseeing talent acquisition and retention, compensation and benefits, and employee training and development.
- Supervision of payroll team with oversight of all payroll functions including processing of payroll for employees and students; compliance with employment and payroll regulations policies, HRIS and employee data.
- Serve as a hands-on leader across all HR functions, applying broad HR generalist expertise.
- Collaborate with university leadership to support the institution’s mission, strategic priorities, and goals.
- Lead HR communication efforts to ensure employees receive clear and effective information.
- Stay current on HR trends, best practices, regulatory changes, and emerging technologies.
- Assess staffing and recruiting needs and support effective practices for hiring, onboarding, developing, and retaining a high-quality, diverse workforce.
- Develop, refine, support, and administer performance review programs that promote effectiveness, compliance, and equity.
- Develop, administer, and manage competitive, cost-effective benefits programs in collaboration with our vendors, including insurance, retirement, and leave plans.
- Maintain records related to benefits participation and personnel transactions for reporting purposes.
- Collaborate on the development, maintenance, and compliance of HR programs, including employee recognition and morale, occupational health and safety, and the Wellness Incentive Program.
- Administer staff compensation in compliance with federal and state requirements and recommend salary, promotion, and other pay adjustments as appropriate.
- Review job descriptions and coordinate FLSA reviews with supervisors as needed.
- Manage COBRA, FMLA, and ADA/disability accommodation requests.
- Support progressive discipline, performance improvement plans, employee disputes, and investigations.
- Document employee separations, conduct exit interviews, and report summary data to administration.
- Monitor and ensure compliance with federal, state, and local employment laws, regulations, and HR best practices.
- Review, update and create new policies, procedures, and the employee handbook to maintain legal compliance.
- Investigate employee-related Title IX, grievance, and non-discrimination/harassment complaints and determine appropriate action.
- Manage the annual IPEDS Human Resources data submission and GASB 74/75 reporting in collaboration with IT and external vendors.
- Advise on HR risk management, employee safety, and workers’ compensation matters as needed.
- Represent the university in personnel-related hearings and investigations.
- Assist with the annual Affirmative Action Program and related goals as needed.
- Develop and implement the HR departmental budget.
- Represent Human Resources on various university committees.
- Campus engagement with faculty, staff and students to strengthen relationships.
- Preparation of monthly and annual reports.
- Perform other related duties as assigned.
Education, Experience, Certifications, and License
Education
- Bachelor’s degree in a related field is required.
- Master’s degree in a related field is preferred.
Experience
- Seven to ten years of HR experience of progressively responsible professional human resources experience is required, including leadership or supervisory experience and/or training are required.
- Higher education experience is strongly preferred.
- Demonstrated experience in employment law compliance, policy administration, employee relations, recruitment, benefits, and performance management is preferred
Certifications
- SHRM-CP, SHRM-SCP, PHR, or SPHR certification is preferred.
License
- A valid driver’s license and the ability to meet the university’s insurance requirements for operating university vehicles are required.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
- Demonstrated knowledge of principles, practices, and current issues in human resources management, preferably within higher education.
- Strong knowledge of employment laws, regulations, and compliance requirements affecting higher education employers.
- Ability to interpret and apply policies, procedures, and legal requirements with sound judgment, consistency, and discretion.
- Ability to manage sensitive and confidential information with the highest degree of professionalism and integrity.
- Strong interpersonal, conflict resolution, and consultation skills, with the ability to build trust and collaborate effectively with employees, faculty, staff, and administrators.
- Ability to lead change, improve processes, and manage multiple priorities in a dynamic environment to meet deadlines.
- Demonstrated strong supervisory and team leadership skills.
- Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving abilities.
- Excellent oral and written communication skills, including the ability to prepare reports, policies, and correspondence and to present information clearly to varied audiences.
- Proficiency with human resources information systems, Microsoft Office applications, quickly learn the university’s computer information systems and data reporting tools.
- Commitment to fostering a respectful, service-oriented, and inclusive work environment.
- Excellent interpersonal and negotiation skills.
- Ability to use good judgment and apply knowledge of the law and university policy when needed.
- Ability to conduct sensitive and complex investigations.
- Ability to appropriately manage the HR department budget.
- Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.
- Ability to adapt to the needs of the organization and employees.
Physical Demands/Work Environment
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit; use hands to finger, handle, feel or use computer keyboard; reach with hands and arms; and talk or hear including the use of a telephone. The employee frequently is required to stand and walk. The employee is occasionally required to stoop, kneel, or crouch. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 30 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color perception, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.
The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.
NOTICE: The above job profile does not include all essential and nonessential duties of this job. All employees with disabilities are encouraged to contact Human Resources to review and discuss the essential and nonessential functions of the job. An employee with a disability can evaluate the job in greater detail to determine if she/he can safely perform the essential function of this job with or without reasonable accommodation.
