Assistant Director of Human Resources

Department

CSL Human Resources

About the Department

The University of Chicago is one of the nation's leading institutions of higher education and research. Campus and Student Life (CSL) carries the core mission of the University to all aspects of life outside the classroom. It enriches the lives of its students, staff, faculty and academic staff members and contributes to a vibrant, collaborative, and diverse campus community that inspires excellence and sustains the University’s culture of inquiry, innovation, and continuous learning.

The unit also works to support the overall well-being of students, including their health and safety. This happens in the context of a campus located in a dynamic, thriving city, in which opportunities abound for students to learn from, contribute to, and engage with their urban environment. CSL is importantly charged with the dual task of promoting the interests of students in the University, and managing multiple campus departments and services that serve the entire campus community, including Athletics & Recreation; the Office of the Bursar; Center for Identity + Inclusion; Center for Leadership and Involvement; Disciplinary Affairs; Housing & Residence Life; International House; Office of International Affairs; Office of the University Registrar; Rockefeller Memorial Chapel; Spiritual Life; Student Centers; Student Disability Services; UChicago HELP; Student Wellness; and UChicago Dining. The University of Chicago community includes approximately 7,600 undergraduates and 10,800 graduate, professional, and other students and there are over 400 recognized student organizations working together to create a vibrant and dynamic student life.

Job Summary

Reporting to the Campus and Student Life (CSL) Senior Director of Human Resources (SDHR), the Assistant Director of Human Resources will work with CSL leaders and departmental HR partners on strategic initiatives, communication of policies, talent acquisition, employee and labor relations, data analysis and consultation. The Assistant Director will work closely with the SDHR to review, determine, and implement best practices in facilitating the human resources goals and priorities for CSL. Responsibilities are varied and complex requiring a high degree of confidentiality, discretion, independent judgment, and initiative.

Responsibilities

• Serve as key aide and advisor to the Senior Director of Human Resources (SDHR).

• Collaborate with the SDHR, Associate Director of Human Resources (ADHR), and CSL departmental leadership on organizational strategy and emerging staff needs.

• Partner with departmental leadership on organizational design, succession planning, change management, improvements and transition activities.

• Assess career growth and talent needs of the CSL departments, help to determine where promotional opportunities exist, assist in the facilitation of annual strategic planning, performance management and goal-setting processes.

• Strategize and share methods for departmental leaders to establish and sustain a positive work environment that enables employees to learn, grow and succeed.

• Stay apprised of federal law changes and identify impact and appropriate action for CSL.

• Serve as an advocate for and recommend changes to HR policies, procedures and practices as well as communicate policy updates.

• Coach and guide CSL departmental leadership and Human Resource Business Partners around various human resource matters.

• Represent the SDHR in various settings across CSL and the larger University at meetings and in directed communications.

• Review base pay level of competitiveness on regular basis, create short and longer term pay plans to ensure base pay aligns with external market data and internal peer data.

• Complete alignment reviews and make recommendations surrounding merit, equity adjustments and lump sum awards.

• Analyze data from strategic perspective, as well as for compliance with applicable laws and University policies for current and former employees.

• Audit data to ensure integrity and data protection standards are met.

• Ensure accuracy of records and processes in accordance University policies and practices.

• Develop and improve access to data, reports and metrics to enable managers to make effective decisions.

• Lead complaint investigations, work in concert with Employee and Labor Relations (ELR) or escalate to the Office of Equal Opportunity Programs when appropriate. 

• Act as a neutral party in fact-finding and ensure confidentiality, accuracy ad timeliness to employees involved.

• Advise on severance agreements/negotiations, conduct exit interviews for voluntary resignations, consult with ELR to assist with risk mitigation or other concerns. 

• Serve as an active participant in union contract negotiations, address grievances, and advise managers on appropriate corrective action.

• Design and deliver practices that attract and develop high-potential, diverse talent.

• Complete pre-hire steps necessary to onboard a new employee.

• Standardize onboarding and exiting processes for staff across CSL.

• Supports staff hiring processes, including developing job descriptions, interviewing and reference checking, handling employment offers, and conducting orientation. Drafts templates and routine offer letters. Maintains appropriate human resources data and records, solving a range of straightforward problems using standard procedures.

• Provides professional support to a unit's employee/labor relations efforts, including handling grievances, disciplinary warnings, and employee complaints.

• Performs other related work as needed.

Minimum Qualifications

Education:

Minimum requirements include a college or university degree in related field.

Work Experience:

Minimum requirements include knowledge and skills developed through 2-5 years of work experience in a related job discipline.

Certifications:

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Preferred Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree.

Experience: 

• Experience as a Human Resources Generalist.
• Core HR processes including talent acquisition, retention, performance management, onboarding, compensation, coaching, training, staff engagement, labor relations, and development.
• Experience in higher education or nonprofit environment

Preferred Competencies

• Handle confidential matters with discretion.
• Manage interpersonal relationships and interact with clarity, tact and courtesy with faculty, students, and staff.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Excellent customer service skills.
• Ability to exercise sound judgement.
• Excellent critical thinking and problem-solving skills utilizing appropriate resources to resolve issues.
• Attention to detail and accuracy.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Ability to work on multiple projects simultaneously, set priorities, and meet deadlines.
• Develop and maintain collaborative relationships with diverse constituencies.
• Ability to coordinate the work of others.

Application Documents

• Resume (required)
• Cover Letter (preferred)

Job Family

Human Resources

Role Impact

Individual Contributor

Scheduled Weekly Hours

37.5

Drug Test Required

No

Health Screen Required

No

Motor Vehicle Record Inquiry Required

No

Pay Rate Type

Salary

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FLSA Status

Exempt

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Pay Range

$77,000.00 - $98,500.00

The included pay rate or range represents the University’s good faith estimate of the possible compensation offer for this role at the time of posting.

Benefits Eligible

Yes

The University of Chicago offers a wide range of benefits programs and resources for eligible employees, including health, retirement, and paid time off. Information about the benefit offerings can be found in the Benefits Guidebook.

Posting Statement

The University of Chicago is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, or expression, national or ethnic origin, shared ancestry, age, status as an individual with a disability, military or veteran status, genetic information, or other protected classes under the law. For additional information please see the University's Notice of Nondiscrimination.

 

Job seekers in need of a reasonable accommodation to complete the application process should call 773-702-5800 or submit a request via Applicant Inquiry Form.

 

All offers of employment are contingent upon a background check that includes a review of conviction history.  A conviction does not automatically preclude University employment.  Rather, the University considers conviction information on a case-by-case basis and assesses the nature of the offense, the circumstances surrounding it, the proximity in time of the conviction, and its relevance to the position.

 

The University of Chicago's Annual Security & Fire Safety Report (Report) provides information about University offices and programs that provide safety support, crime and fire statistics, emergency response and communications plans, and other policies and information. The Report can be accessed online at: http://securityreport.uchicago.edu. Paper copies of the Report are available, upon request, from the University of Chicago Police Department, 850 E. 61st Street, Chicago, IL 60637.