Director of Human Resources

Department
 

Crown Administrative Office

About the Department
 

Crown Family School - As one of the first schools of social work in the United States, the Crown Family School of Social Work, Policy, and Practice has shaped the field for more than 100 years. As part of the University of Chicago, the Crown Family School shares the University's core values and distinctive intellectual culture. Crown Family School faculty, staff and students focus on identifying solutions to complex problems affecting society’s most marginalized individuals and communities through the integration of research, training, and direct community engagement. Guided by an interdisciplinary tradition, Crown Family School scholars conduct innovative research to address interconnected social challenges such as educational inequality, health disparities, crime and violence, poverty, and child and family welfare—working at multiple scales, from individual to policy-level interventions. The Crown Family School is the home of several academic centers. These include the Susan and Richard Kiphart Center for Global Health and Social Development, the Urban Education Institute (UEI), the Chicago Center for Youth Violence Prevention, the Center for Health Administration Studies, the Smart Decarceration Project, the Employment Instability, Family Well-being, and Social Policy Network (EINet), and the Network for College Success. Today, our work has never been more important. More than 8,000 Crown Family School graduates in the US and globally hold leadership positions in academia, at nonprofits, and at governmental agencies – committed to create a more just and more humane society through principles of inclusion, equity, and diversity.

Job Summary
 

The job manages a team of professional staff responsible for designing, implementing, and monitoring a variety of human resource programs. Develops department plans to address long-term human resource needs and trends.

Responsibilities

Strategic Direction and Leadership

• The Director of Human Resources (HR) leads a human resources program that supports the School’s strategic goals.

• Manages all operations for the HR department and supervises staff.

• Leads the recruiting and hiring process including job description development, interview coordination, hiring, and onboarding; manages restructuring and reorganization planning and implementation.

• Manages annual compensation planning, tracks compensation budget, and oversee administration of payroll-related activities.

• In coordination with School Administration, sets policies and establishes and maintains goals, priorities, and programs for administrative services that are consistent with the School’s mission, values, and strategic plan.

• Provides a leadership role to recruit and retain a diverse staff, and to foster a workplace that centers diversity, equity and inclusion practices.

• Ensures compliance with University Human Resources and Provost’s Office policies and standards, as well as all relevant employment laws. Advises and counsels supervisors and managers on federal, state and local employment laws and regulations.

• Keeps abreast of changes affecting human resources and assumes an active leadership and advocacy role within the field.

• Develops human resources procedures, and workflows and oversees their implementation.

• Represents the School’s human resource needs to the Provost’s Office, University HR, and other University administrative units.

• Performs other related work as needed.

​Employee and Labor Relations

• Represents the Crown School in all labor and employee relations matters, including grievances, complaints, and legal issues. Works with the appropriate University (Legal, Employee and Labor Relations) and external offices (union representatives) to coordinate effective handling of dispute resolutions.

• Assists managers and staff in understanding of employment law, University and School policies and procedures, and the collective bargaining agreement.

• Leads and supports supervisors through disciplinary procedures, including coaching and other corrective action activities, and assists managers and staff in resolving personnel issues while ensuring compliance with guidelines and laws.

Academic and Staff Recruitment

• In partnership with the Provost’s Office, manages recruitment, appointment, and promotion processes for Faculty and Other Academic Appointees using the University's applicant tracking system, and coordinates all faculty and academic candidate visits.

• Supports searches for new faculty and other appointees, development of offers of appointment, onboarding of new appointees, reappointment and promotion of faculty and other academic personnel, leaves, retirements, and other departures.

• Oversees staff recruitment process and provides guidance for clerical, exempt, non-exempt searches.

Performance Management and Compensation

• Oversees the School's performance management process, including the review and improvement of performance management tools.

• Counsels/coaches employees and management, including advice on professional development alternatives and union relations.

• Responsible for all staff classification and compensation activities including development, review, and maintenance of staff job descriptions and classification of positions.

• Reviews and evaluates internally consistent and externally competitive compensation programs; oversees salary adjustments, reclassifications, and promotions.

​Professional Development

• Works collaboratively with School staff to provide Crown School-specific professional development and training programs that ensure organizational readiness.

• Coordinates and monitors professional development programs and works to ensure their success.

• Advises unit management and professional staff on the strategy of the unit and on federal, state and local employment laws and regulations.

• Develops and implements short- and long-term human resources plans and operational policies for a unit. Develops and administers the HR budget for the unit and manages expenses.

• Performs other related work as needed.

Minimum Qualifications
 

Education:

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

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Work Experience:

Minimum requirements include knowledge and skills developed through 7+ years of work experience in a related job discipline.

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Certifications:

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Preferred Qualifications

Education:

• Master’s degree in related field.

Experience:

• Broad experience in multiple HR functions.

• Previous successful management and supervisory experience.

• Academic setting.

• Working in HR at University of Chicago.

• Practicing HR in a union environment.

Licenses and Certifications:

• PHR/SPHR/SHRM-CP/SHRM-SCP.

Technical Skills or Knowledge:

• Demonstrates proficiency with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.), Outlook, Workday HRIS, Interfolio.

• Demonstrates experience working with human resources information systems (HRIS) and applicant tracking systems.

• Experience using meeting software and applications such as Skype, Goto meeting, Zoom, etc.

• Working knowledge of relevant federal, state, and municipal employment laws and regulations (including those related to EEO/AA; FLSA; FMLA; ADA; and OSHA).

Preferred Competencies

• Demonstrates critical thinking and analytical skills.

• Outstanding oral and written communication skills.

• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail and accuracy.

• Demonstrates ability to handle sensitive information, exercise discretion, and maintain confidentiality.

Application Documents

• Resume (required)

• Cover Letter (required)

• References (required)

When applying, the document(s) MUST  be uploaded via the My Experience page, in the section titled Application Documents of the application.

Job Family
 

Human Resources

Role Impact
 

People Manager

FLSA Status
 

Exempt

Pay Frequency
 

Monthly

Scheduled Weekly Hours
 

40

Benefits Eligible
 

Yes

Requires Compliance with University Covid-19 Vaccination Requirement
 

Yes

Drug Test Required
 

No

Health Screen Required
 

No

Motor Vehicle Record Inquiry Required
 

No

Posting Statement
 

Employees must comply with the University’s COVID-19 vaccination requirements. More information about the requirements can be found on the University of Chicago Vaccination GoForward .
The University of Chicago is an Affirmative Action/ Equal Opportunity/Disabled/Veterans Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, age, status as an individual with a disability, protected veteran status, genetic information, or other protected classes under the law. For additional information please see the University's Notice of Nondiscrimination.

 

Staff 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.

 

We seek a diverse pool of applicants who wish to join an academic community that places the highest value on rigorous inquiry and encourages a diversity of perspectives, experiences, groups of individuals, and ideas to inform and stimulate intellectual challenge, engagement, and exchange.

 

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.