What are the responsibilities and job description for the Higher Education Executive Director of Human Resources position at TalentConnect?
Our client, a private University in Jersey City, NJ is seeking an Executive Director of Human Resources to join their team.
The Executive Director of Human Resources is a strategic, collaborative, and results-oriented leader of the University’s Human Resources (HR) function. The CHRO will be responsible for overseeing all HR activities including compensation and benefits, recruiting, employee relations, employee development, payroll, compliance with federal and state employment regulations, HR information systems (HRIS), and employee records management. This senior leadership role will manage a dynamic HR team and work closely with the University’s senior administration to enhance organizational effectiveness, employee engagement, and institutional growth.
Key Responsibilities:
- Leadership & Team Management:
- Lead and manage the HR team, consisting of a Benefits Manager, two HR Generalists, a Recruiting Manager, and a part-time Office Assistant.
- Foster a positive, collaborative, and inclusive work environment within the HR department.
- Provide mentorship, guidance, and professional development opportunities to team members to ensure continued growth and success.
- Set departmental goals and performance metrics to ensure alignment with the University’s mission and strategic priorities.
- Compensation & Benefits:
- Oversee the administration of compensation and benefits programs to ensure competitive, equitable, and cost-effective solutions.
- Ensure alignment with institutional budgetary goals while meeting the needs of faculty and staff.
- Regularly review and assess compensation policies and benefit offerings to ensure they remain competitive within the higher education sector.
- Recruitment & Staffing:
- Lead and support the recruitment efforts for faculty, staff, and administrative positions, ensuring alignment with university diversity and inclusion goals.
- Oversee the development of effective recruitment strategies, sourcing, and candidate selection processes.
- Work closely with hiring managers to ensure smooth and efficient recruitment cycles.
- Employee Relations & Engagement:
- Promote a culture of transparency, open communication, and mutual respect across the University community.
- Address employee concerns, conflicts, and grievances in a fair, timely, and effective manner.
- Implement programs that promote employee engagement, recognition, and overall job satisfaction.
- Employee Development:
- Develop and oversee programs that support the professional development and career growth of faculty and staff.
- Support leadership development initiatives, succession planning, and performance management systems.
- Encourage and support continuous learning opportunities aligned with University goals and employee needs.
- Compliance & Legal Requirements:
- Ensure compliance with all federal, state, and local employment laws, regulations, and University policies.
- Stay current on HR best practices, labor laws, and trends in the higher education sector.
- Conduct regular audits and reviews of HR practices to ensure compliance and mitigate risk.
- HR Information Systems (HRIS) & Employee Records Management:
- Oversee the administration of HRIS, ensuring that data is accurately maintained, secure, and accessible.
- Develop and implement policies related to employee records management, ensuring compliance with applicable regulations and best practices.
- Leverage HRIS for reporting, analytics, and decision-making to improve operational efficiencies.
- Payroll & Administration:
- In tandem with the University Controller, oversee payroll administration to ensure timely, accurate, and compliant processing.
- Work closely with the Finance department to ensure proper budget allocation and forecasting.
- Address payroll-related inquiries and resolve issues efficiently.
- Strategic Planning & Collaboration:
- Collaborate with senior leadership to align HR initiatives with the University’s overall strategy.
- Contribute to the development of institutional policies and practices that support the University’s mission and values.
- Participate in strategic planning and decision-making processes as a key advisor on human capital matters.
Qualifications:
- Education: Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related field preferred.
- Experience:
- Minimum of 10 years of progressively responsible experience in human resources, with at least 5 years in a leadership role.
- Experience in a higher education or nonprofit environment is strongly preferred.
- Proven track record of managing HR functions including compensation and benefits, recruitment, employee relations, and compliance.
- Strong knowledge of federal and state labor laws, HR best practices, and emerging trends in human resources.
- Skills & Competencies:
- Excellent leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills.
- Strong decision-making and problem-solving abilities.
- Ability to work effectively with diverse constituencies in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.
- High level of confidentiality, integrity, and ethical standards.
- Expertise in HRIS systems and data analytics.
- Knowledge of payroll systems and benefits administration.
The compensation for this position ranges from $150,000.00 - $170,000.00. Actual compensation will be dependent upon the specific role, office location as well as the individual’s qualifications, experience, skills and certifications.
To all staffing agencies: PKF O’Connor Davies TalentConnect (“PKFOD TalentConnect”) will not be utilizing agencies to staff this position. Please do not forward resumes to PKFOD TalentConnect recruiters, partners and/or employees at any of our locations regarding this position. Please be reminded, PKFOD TalentConnect is not responsible for any fees related to unsolicited resumes. All unsolicited resumes will become the property of PKFOD TalentConnect.
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Salary : $150,000 - $170,000
