Deputy Director, HR Operations

Since 1917, the Teachers’ Retirement System of the City of New York (TRS) has been securing better futures for NYC educators. With a pension fund valued at approximately $120 billion, TRS serves over 215,000 members, providing them with retirement, disability, and death benefit services.

TRS' Qualified Pension Plan (QPP) is a defined benefit plan that provides members with a monthly retirement allowance upon meeting certain eligibility requirements. TRS members can also enhance their benefits with a Tax-Deferred Annuity (TDA) Program, which offers multiple investment options and tax-deferred earnings.

At TRS, we seek dedicated professionals who are passionate about their work and committed to excellence. We pride ourselves on our member-centric culture, focused on delivering outstanding service and support to our members.

The Human Resources (HR) department attracts, develops, and retains a talented workforce while fostering a positive work environment. Key functions include Talent Management, Compensation and Benefits, Learning and Development, Employee Relations, Quality of Work Life/Diversity & Inclusion and Compliance.

Responsibilities

The Deputy Director of HR Operations supports the Chief Human Resources Office (CHRO) in strategic planning, development and overseeing daily HR functions. This role ensures efficient execution of services, regulatory compliance and alignment with the organization’s strategic objectives. The Deputy Director collaborates with senior leadership to drive HR initiatives and enhance organizational performance. Reporting to the CHRO, the duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Assist the CHRO in developing and executing HR operational strategies aligned with organizational goals.
• Manage daily HR operations including payroll, benefits records, employee services, and time management.
• Oversee recruitment, onboarding, salary adjustments, promotions and offboarding. Lead employee development programs such as benefits education, compliance training, and retirement planning.
• Collaborate with senior leaders to enhance workforce planning, talent management, and employee engagement.
• Lead or contribute to HR-related special projects and organizational change initiatives. Develop and implement new HR policies and processes to drive innovation and continuous improvement.
• Develop and maintain reports to aid senior leadership decisions.
• Handle complex employee relations matters, including grievance resolutions and disciplinary actions. Work with legal and union representatives to resolve disputes and maintain positive labor relations.
• Act as systems security officer, support HRIS management, ensuring data integrity. Liaise with oversight agencies, like DCAS, NYCERS, NYCAPS, and OPA.
• Supervise HR team members, providing guidance, coaching and support. Foster a collaborative and inclusive work environment.
• Oversee HR procurement and budget management. Review and adjust operating budgets as needed.
• Ensure compliance with Federal, State, Local, and Collective Bargaining regulations.
• Manage special projects and perform other related duties as assigned.
  
  

Minimum Qualifications

• A baccalaureate degree from an accredited college and four years of satisfactory, full-time progressively responsible clerical/administrative experience requiring independent decision-making concerning program management or planning, allocation for resources and the scheduling and assignment of work, 18 months of which must have been in an administrative, managerial, executive or supervisory capacity. The supervisory work must have been in the supervision of staff performing clerical/administrative work of more than moderate difficulty; or
• An associate degree or 60 semester credits from an accredited college and five years of satisfactory, full-time progressively responsible experience as described in "1" above, 18 months of which must have been in an administrative, managerial, executive or supervisory capacity. The supervisory work must have been in the supervision of staff performing clerical/administrative work of more than moderate difficulty; or
• A four-year high school diploma or its educational equivalent and six years of satisfactory, full-time progressively responsible experience as described in "1" above, 18 months of which must have been in an administrative, managerial, executive or supervisory capacity. The supervisory work must have been in the supervision of staff performing clerical/administrative work of more than moderate difficulty; or
• Education and/or experience equivalent to "1", "2" or "3" above. However, all candidates must possess the 18 months of administrative, managerial, executive or supervisory experience as described in "1", "2" or "3" above. Education above the high school level may be substituted for the general clerical/administrative experience (but not for the administrative, managerial, executive or supervisory experience described in "1", "2" or "3" above) at a rate of 30 semester credits from an accredited college for 6 months of experience up to a maximum of 3½ years.
  
  

Preferred Skills

• Comprehensive understanding of New York City Personnel Rules, Regulations and the Citywide, Collective Bargaining Unit Agreements, and HR best practices required. - Excellent verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills, with the ability to build positive relationships across all organizational level. - Working knowledge of PMS, PRISE, PI, NYCAPS, CHRMS, RMDS, and proficiency with MS Office Suite. - At least 5 years of Human Resources experience and a minimum of 3 years in a direct supervisory role. - Skilled in handling sensitive and confidential information professionally. - Strong skills in planning, supervising, organizing, and evaluating complex projects. - Ensures compliance with regulations and understand risk mitigation strategies.
  
  

55a Program

This position is also open to qualified persons with a disability who are eligible for the 55-a Program. Please indicate at the top of your resume and cover letter that you would like to be considered for the position through the 55-a Program.

Public Service Loan Forgiveness

As a prospective employee of the City of New York, you may be eligible for federal loan forgiveness programs and state repayment assistance programs. For more information, please visit the U.S. Department of Education’s website at https://studentaid.gov/pslf/.

Residency Requirement

New York City residency is generally required within 90 days of appointment. However, City Employees in certain titles who have worked for the City for 2 continuous years may also be eligible to reside in Nassau, Suffolk, Putnam, Westchester, Rockland, or Orange County. To determine if the residency requirement applies to you, please discuss with the agency representative at the time of interview.

Additional Information

The City of New York is an inclusive equal opportunity employer committed to recruiting and retaining a diverse workforce and providing a work environment that is free from discrimination and harassment based upon any legally protected status or protected characteristic, including but not limited to an individual's sex, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, veteran status, gender identity, or pregnancy.