Senior HR Partner

Position Overview

The HR Operations Lead Specialist provides consultation, support, and leads HR Operations for the College of Education and Human Development across a spectrum of human resources functions including, but not limited to: process improvement, operationalization, workforce planning, talent acquisition and classification, complex HRMS/payroll issues, leaves of absences and accommodations. This role interprets and applies University and CEHD human resources principles, policies, procedures, labor represented contracts, and relevant federal and state laws. This position reports directly to the CEHD Human Resources Director.

The HR Operations Lead Specialist is expected to establish effective relationships with academic departments and business units in CEHD. This role is accountable and responsible for continuous improvement of HR operations within CEHD; evaluation, development, and implementation of best practices and processes in a clear and concise manner; and represents the college and the HR function in a highly competent and positive manner within the University and the external community.

The HR Operations Lead Specialist is the direct supervisor to 1.0 FTE HRMS Specialist, 2.0 FTE CEHD HR Coordinators, 2.0 FTE HR Partners, and 1 student worker on the CEHD HR team.

The University of Minnesota encourages a healthy work life balance for employees. CEHD is committed to an excellent employee experience, offering a flexible work environment that meets the needs of students, staff, faculty, and the communities we serve. Flexible work arrangements may include flexibility in schedule and/or work location. Please note that 100% remote work requires approval prior to offer.

Job Responsibilities

CEHD HR Operations Lead (50%)

Lead HR operations functions, projects, and Supervision & Staff Management

• Supervise, coach, and develop the CEHD HR Coordinator (2.0 FTE), CEHD HRMS Specialist (1.0 FTE), CEHD HR Partners (2.0 FTE), and CEHD HR Student Assistant(s). Manage workloads, set deadlines, provide consultation, and delegate work assignments to provide timely service. Provide oversight and supervision to ensure accuracy and minimal errors.
  

Recruiting, Hiring, and Retention

• Consult on procedures, rules, contracts and practices related to recruitment, interviewing and hiring processes
• Ensure compliance with EOAA policies and guidelines, including advising managers and supervisors on university policies.
• Develop onboarding plans for new employees with HR functions and create onboarding guides for all new hires for departments to utilize. Provide consultation on onboarding resources and processes.
• Serve as compliance lead for college, ensuring compliance with all federal, state, and university policies. Ensure compliance with I-9 verification process, Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and posting of required employment posters. Provide consultation and training for CEHD.
• Serve as primary collegiate liaison to ISSS (International Student and Scholar Services) regarding visa application preparation and processes.
• Develop and lead training for supervisors across the college surrounding recruiting and hiring practices.
• Lead and determine content for monthly meetings and training for CEHD HR Liaisons.
• Serve as HR point of contact for Department Administration on CEHD Faculty search protocols and guidelines and CEHD PPFP (Presidential Postdoctoral Fellow Program) hires.

HRMS/Payroll/Reporting

• Provide consultation to CEHD HR Director on highly complex appointments, payroll issues, and data record issues. Serves as the college's subject matter expert on payroll and HRMS questions, policies, and procedures related to student, staff, and academic appointments, overpayments, annual base salary, time and absence, progression/step increases, and University pay practices.
• Oversee the entry & maintenance of information within the Human Resources Management System (HRMS) for all employees and persons of interest in CEHD including creating the college's plan for peak appointment entry periods during summer, fall, and spring. Develop communications, training as needed, and determine appropriate submission deadlines and prioritization of entries and workflow.
• Evaluate and develop best practices, procedures, training, and documentation for HRMS, PAPAYA, and payroll data processing.

FMLA, LOA, & Disability Accommodations

• Provide consultation on complex FMLA, LOA, and accommodation requests. Stay apprised of federal and state leave laws and regulations as well as University of Minnesota policies and procedures and contracts in order to provide consultation.
• Liaise with the OHR Leave of Absence Team to ensure appropriate leave benefits and processes are administered according to employment rules, policies, and bargaining unit contracts for CEHD faculty and staff.
• Liaise with Disability Resources Center/DRC Consultants regarding accommodations cases.

Continuous Improvement & Project Management (20%)

• Evaluate current processes and develop or enhance HR workflows in CEHD to improve efficiencies and effectiveness of processes, procedures, and resources. Collaborate with the CEHD HR team and CEHD units as appropriate. Ensure they are aligned with collegiate and university-wide policies and procedures
• Work closely with the CEHD HR Director and CEHD HR Consultants on workforce planning initiatives
• Lead special projects and assignments as assigned by CEHD HR Director
• Operationalize new HR initiatives & university initiatives with HR impacts
• Monitor and/or develop oversight reporting tools to evaluate compliance, accuracy, consistency, and effectiveness of HR operations

Compensation & Classification (25%)

• Provide consultation to unit staff in identifying appropriate job classifications and starting salaries for requests to fill
• Evaluate and submit reclassifications and JEQs for all units within the college. Analyze job function and job classification to support departmental and classification goals and complex compensation and classification issues
• Assist CEHD HR consultants and HR Director on classification during workforce planning projects
• Research, analyze, prepare, determine, & recommend salary analysis/compensation for CEHD compensation requests including job reclassifications, promotions, in-range adjustments, augmentations, overloads, transfers, and demotions
• Create customized and template wage notices relating to compensation approvals or changes such as augmentations, in-range adjustments, reclassifications, below minimum adjustments, etc.
• Liaise with OHR compensation and classification consultants, as needed
  

Miscellaneous (5%)

• Provide back-up support for CEHD HR Consultants
• Manage administrative, back-end functions of the PAT (Performance Appraisal Tool) throughout the year
• Oversee CEHD personnel file record retention policies and processes for the college in adherence to UMN policies
• Lead CEHD HR communications, manage HR-related communications (Friday Connection, Burton Brief, HR Sky), and serve as liaison to CEHD Marketing & Communications team and other communications agencies for CEHD HR

Required Qualifications

• BA/BS degree in Human Resources or related field plus 4 years of experience, or a combination of related education and professional work experience equal to 8 years
• Minimum two years utilizing HRMS PeopleSoftProficiency in Microsoft Office and Google Workspace
• Excellent interpersonal relationship skills with the ability to develop trusted partnerships with colleagues at all levels of the institution.
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate effectively with individuals from a variety of backgrounds, communities, and identities.
• Demonstrated ability to work with colleagues with different work and leadership styles.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with people from a variety of communities, backgrounds, and identities.

Preferred Qualifications

• Working knowledge of University HR principles, policies, and processes
• Ability to influence
• Excellent conflict management skills
• Demonstrated ability to take initiative (within scope of authority) and identify innovative, compliant solutions
• Project management, strong verbal and written communications and problem-solving skills
• Proven ability to multi-task and execute in a fast-paced environment
• Capacity to recognize trends and develop recommendations based on data analysis
• Demonstrated experience in creating tools to assist in process improvement and operationalizing workflows

College Overview

The College of Education and Human Development (CEHD), the University's third largest college, contributes to a just and sustainable future through engagement with the local and global communities to enhance human learning and development at all stages of life. We know diversity is necessary to do our best work and foster our humanity. That's why the CEHD community is collectively dedicated to cultivating an inclusive and equitable environment, embracing and celebrating all identities of our students, staff, and faculty. These values are also a moral imperative requiring continuous proactive measures and a firm stance against prejudice, discrimination, and systemic injustice.

Pay Range: The salary range for this position is $70,814 - $85,000. Final salary offers are dependent on the candidate's experience, skills, and internal equity within the department.

Time Appointment: 100% Appointment

Position Type: Civil-Service

Please visit the Office of Human Resources website for more information regarding benefit eligibility.

The University offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

• Competitive wages, paid holidays, and generous time off
• Continuous learning opportunities through professional training and degree-seeking programs supported by the Regents Tuition Benefit Program
• Low-cost medical, dental, and pharmacy plans
• Healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts
• University HSA contributions
• Disability and employer-paid life insurance
• Employee wellbeing program
• Excellent retirement plans with employer contribution
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) opportunity
• Financial counseling services
• Employee Assistance Program with eight sessions of counseling at no cost
• Employee Transit Pass with free or reduced rates in the Twin Cities metro area

Applications must be submitted online. To be considered for this position, please click the Apply button and follow the instructions. You will be given the opportunity to complete an online application for the position and attach a cover letter and resume.

Additional documents may be attached after application by accessing your "My Job Applications" page and uploading documents in the "My Cover Letters and Attachments" section.

To request an accommodation during the application process, please e-mail employ@umn.edu or call (612) 624-8647.

The University recognizes and values the importance of diversity and inclusion in enriching the employment experience of its employees and in supporting the academic mission. The University is committed to attracting and retaining employees with varying identities and backgrounds.

The University of Minnesota provides equal access to and opportunity in its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. To learn more about diversity at the U: http://diversity.umn.edu

Any offer of employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check. Our presumption is that prospective employees are eligible to work here. Criminal convictions do not automatically disqualify finalists from employment.

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC)

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC), is among the largest public research universities in the country, offering undergraduate, graduate, and professional students a multitude of opportunities for study and research. Located at the heart of one of the nation's most vibrant, diverse metropolitan communities, students on the campuses in Minneapolis and St. Paul benefit from extensive partnerships with world-renowned health centers, international corporations, government agencies, and arts, nonprofit, and public service organizations.

At the University of Minnesota, we are proud to be recognized by the Star Tribune as a Top Workplace for 2021, as well as by Forbes as Best Employers for Women and one of America's Best Employers (2015, 2018, 2019, 2023), Best Employer for Diversity (2019, 2020), Best Employer for New Grads (2018, 2019), and Best Employer by State (2019, 2022).