Director of Human Resources (10-11-2023)

DETAILED JOB DESCRIPTION
1. Leadership
Serves as the strategic leader of the human resource function and directly reports to the VP for Finance and Administration. Functions with little supervision, while keeping the Vice President well informed of relevant matters. Contributes as a member of the leadership team for the Division of Finance & Administration. Builds partnerships with faculty, staff, administration, and students, providing support for human resources and
payroll issues. Evaluates and pursues opportunities to enhance organizational health as it relates to employee engagement and employee flourishing.
Directs departmental staffing to ensure efficient departmental functioning. This includes selection, training,
and delegation of work. Develops standards of performance, evaluates performance of staff, and implements personnel actions as needed. Develops departmental goals, policies and procedures. Develops budget requests, manages budget execution, and tracks income and expenses.

2. Strategic and Consulting Role
Acts as an advocate for organizational flourishing and employee wellbeing. Identifies and pursues strategic opportunities for employee engagement, organizational improvement, and process refinement. Strategically implements changes so as to maximize success.
Partners with cabinet administrators, deans, and directors on employee performance, counseling, and documentation of same. Provides strategic counsel on policies, federal and state laws regarding human resources issues.
3. Benefits
Oversees the administration of the university’s employee benefit packages (including Health, Vision, and Dental Plans; Life, Long-Term Disability, and Accidental Death & Dismemberment Insurance; Cafeteria Plan; Retirement Plan; Unemployment Compensation; and Workers’ Compensation). Serves as member of LETU Retirement Plan Committee.
4. Payroll
Provide direction and oversight for the payroll staff. Assist payroll staff in answering employee questions, as necessary.
5. Policies and Procedures
Proposes, writes, and updates university policies and procedures. Keeps up to date on issues and laws, researches information relevant to policies and procedures, and shares information with university Administration. Disseminates policies and procedures and educates employees about them. Acts as consultant for employees, supervisors, and cabinet administrators, referring interpretation of policies to university Administration. Continually evaluates processes and procedures to identify ways to function more efficiently.
6. Rrecruitment of Personell
Provides strategic support to deans, directors, and cabinet administrators in recruitment and provides education in search procedures. Reviews and updates search forms and procedures as needed. Ensures that Position Approval Forms are complete and accurate. Oversees staff who maintain Web postings of staff vacancies. Ensures employment advertising is accurate, applications are handled in a timely manner, applications and records are maintained according to proper documentation procedures and responses to applicants are appropriate. Oversees moving assistance loan program for eligible new employees.

7. Employee Records
Ensures set-up and maintenance of accurate and complete employee files and database for active and separated employees. Ensures timely updates to semester telephone extension list, annual service awards lists, and other requested reports are delivered.
8. Orientation and Training
Designs and updates orientation procedure for faculty and staff and provides orientation for new regular faculty and all staff. First-year goals include designing and creating an onboarding program.

8B. Training and Development
Position currently designs and conducts training for personnel issues. Three-year goals include designing a talent development program that includes regular job and career training, as well as training and equipping activities that build toward the individual’s and the university’s future needs

9. Employee Concerns
Ensures responses to employment concerns according to university policy, encourages interaction between employees and their supervisors, instructs supervisors employees in grievance procedure as needed, and informs the administration of employee concerns and complaints, offering suggestions as appropriate.
10. Wage and Salary Administration
Obtains wage and salary information for Administration when possible and educates administration and supervisors regarding wage and hour regulations. Together with Payroll, monitors wage and hour practices for compliance with university, state, and federal guidelines. Designs format for job descriptions and performance evaluations. Monitors completion of annual evaluations for staff.
11. Immigration
Work with external immigration attorney to assist employees with H1B and Green Card processes.
12. Committee Participation
Participates as a member of various campus committees.
13. Student Employment
Oversees implementation of student worker classification policy and educates deans and directors regarding issues related to student employment. Ensures review of all Student Worker Action Forms for completion and compliance with policy.

14. Technology
Identifies ways to utilize technology effectively. This includes electronic forms, databases, and other means of using technology.
15. Title IX Deputy Coordinator
Promotes compliance implementation of Title IX requirements to protect employees and students from discrimination.

Key Areas of Responsibilities:

• Evaluate, formulate, and recommend initiatives, systems, and policies to support the university’s strategic vision as they pertain to talent management and development
• Work with other departments and committees to create value for employees, improve employee engagement, and promote a healthy and productive workplace.
• Lead HR team and promote engagement with other campus stakeholders
• Assist in the recruitment of highly qualified, missionally aligned faculty and staff
• Lead the administration of employee benefits and payroll
• Ensure compliance with employment law and guidelines for various categories of workers
• Consult with managers to promote positive employee relations and performance management while ensuring policy adherence and managing risk

Education & Experience:

• A bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business, or a related field, or equivalent experience. Master’s degree preferred
• PHR-SCP or SPHR certification
• At least ten years of work experience in various areas of Human Resources, with five-plus years leading the HR function. Experience in higher education preferred.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Strategic understanding of HR functions, including talent acquisition, training and development, benefits, payroll, employee engagement, onboarding, performance management, and employee relations
• Knowledge of labor laws, regulations, and best practices, including their application in a Higher Education setting
• Proficiency in HR data management and analytics tools and general business software
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to convey sensitive information with empathy and discretion
• Experience managing organizational change and guiding staff through transitions in line with LeTourneau University’s mission

Personal Characteristics & Qualifications

• An enthusiastic, mature, and contagious Christian faith
• Passion for employee success, proactive kindness, and empathy
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to collaborate effectively within organizational structure
• Proactive, strategic, and self-starting; ability to translate general guidance into concrete action and systems
• Ability to foster productive, respectful, consensus-building teamwork within the HR area and with other administrators and departments

Applications will be reviewed in the order received and will continue until the position is filled.  In accordance with applicable provisions of federal law, applicants for employment who are in agreement with the educational mission of LeTourneau University and applicants for admission to educational programs or activities are considered without discrimination on the basis of race, age, sex, handicapping condition, national origin or genetic information.  Inquiries about this policy should be directed to the Director of Human Resources, (903) 233-4171.

Interested applicants should email a resume and a letter of interest to the chair of the search committee, Dr. Ben Caldwell, Provost at [email protected] . Selected applicants will be asked to complete the university's Application Form and to interview with the search committee.

LeTourneau University is the premier Christian polytechnic university in the nation where educators engage students to nurture Christian virtue, develop competency and ingenuity in their professional fields, integrate faith and work, and serve the local and global community.

LETU is a Christ-centered, interdenominational institute of higher learning offering more than 85 undergraduate and graduate degree programs in arts and sciences, aviation, business & technology, communication, computer science, criminal justice, education, engineering, nursing, psychology & counseling and theology & vocation. LETU's 2,700 students represent nearly all 50 states, more than 30 foreign countries, and around 50 different denominational groups.

LETU is consistently recognized by U.S. News and World Report as one of "America's Best Colleges," and the engineering program is ranked nationally. LeTourneau University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, Georgia 30033-4097, telephone 404-679-4500, at http://www.sacscoc.org) to award associate, baccalaureate and master's degrees. LeTourneau University's engineering and engineering technology programs are accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission and the Technology Accreditation Commission of the Accreditation Board of Engineering and Technology, 111 Market Place, Suite 1050, Baltimore, MD 21202-4012 - telephone: 410-347-7700. The Carnegie Foundation classifies LeTourneau University as a Master's (Comprehensive) University II.

The 162 acre main campus is located in Longview, Texas, a progressive hub city with an MSA of over 190,000, nestled among the beautiful pine-forested hills and lakes of East Texas. It is approximately 120 miles east of Dallas, Texas and 60 miles west of Shreveport, Louisiana.

See https://www.letu.edu for more information.