"Academic Client Partner, Office of Conflict, Resolution, and Policy"

Job Details

Academic Client Partner, Office of Conflict, Resolution, and Policy

Salary: $70,000.00 - $75,000.00 Annually

Location: Missoula Mountain Campus

Job Type: Hourly Staff Full-time

Job Number: 202400407

Sector:

Department: Conflict, Resolution & Policy

Closing Date: 9/2/2025 11:59 PM Mountain

FLSA: Determined by Position

Bargaining Unit: NO

Description

The Office of Conflict, Resolution, and Policy (CRP) within the People and Culture sector invites applications for a Academic Client Partner to perform general human resources functions for a host of clients and stakeholders with a focus on the faculty and academic units throughout the University of Montana (UM) campus. Reporting directly to the Associate Vice President for Conflict, Resolution and Policy, this position is responsible for cultivating and maintaining highly functional professional relationships, coaching for performance improvement, advising and negotiating in conflict-based situations, supporting collective bargaining and contract maintenance, and assisting in organizational effectiveness efforts across the academic enterprise. This position aids the AVP in providing comprehensive personnel support to the Office of the Provost regarding high-level human resources functions in the areas of faculty relations, performance evaluation and management, conflict resolution, civil rights compliance, administrative and operational department practice, and learning and development.

As a member of the Office of Conflict, Resolution, & Policy, situated within UM's People and Culture Sector, the Academic Client Partner will collaborate with Sector and Office colleagues under the direct supervision of the Associate Vice President to administer relevant personnel policies, procedures, and practices in accordance with the Faculty Collective Bargaining Agreement. While this position maintains a primary focus on academic personnel affairs, the role will also contribute expertise and general professional support to the full suite of functions within CRP's purview, including Equal Opportunity, Title IX, University investigations, institutional conflict administration, records management, and Sector compliance efforts.

*This position is not represented by a collective bargaining agreement. *

Examples of Duties and Responsibilities

• Support comprehensive interpretation and administration of the Faculty Collective Bargaining Agreement as directed by the AVP together with the Provost, and VP of People & Culture in support of Provost administration, College Deans, Research Officials, Department Chairs, adjacent academic management, and faculty as appropriate
• Respond to faculty relations issues, including interpersonal, departmental, and student-faculty conflict, and recommend and implement conciliation/resolution measures as appropriate to maintain productive and compliant learning and working environments
• Contribute to relevant collective bargaining efforts
• Draft, edit, and review policy, guidance, memoranda, and formal documentation and communications issued by CRP or on behalf of campus constituents as directed
• Conduct workplace investigations, and support CRP's internal investigations and adjudications related to complaints of discrimination, harassment, retaliation, and other employee relations matters, ensuring fair and consistent application of policy, procedure, and contract
• Support the university's civil rights functions performed by CRP under the direction of the Title IX Coordinator and the Director of Equal Opportunity
• Support institutional risk management by ensuring any employment actions comply with institutional, system, state and federal employment requirements
• Support the CRP's records-keeping and data management practices
• Collaborate with the other departments in the People and Culture Sector to design and deliver trainings and learning opportunities to academic personnel, and for campus partners on general sector topics; and
• Participate in campus-wide strategic projects, committees, and working groups and perform other duties as assigned

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a related field as well as at least two (2) years of directly related work experience; or any combination of experience and education
• Understanding of federal, state and local employment laws, and the ability to remain current in understanding of all legal and policy changes
• Working knowledge of human resource functions and personnel compliance practices
• Experience coaching and counseling managers and employees on policies and procedures
• Highly developed interpersonal skills, including demonstrated social-emotional intelligence and aptitude in self-awareness, cross-cultural regard, collegiality, and professional relations
• Demonstrated competency in professional communication, both verbal and written, including the ability to present before large and small groups, run meetings, draft formal documents, and engage in routine correspondence
• General competency in data tracking and records-management (software/tools/practices)
• Familiarity with higher education

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working with academic personnel (faculty, chairpersons, deans, provost administration) in any capacity, or otherwise personnel experience in higher education, public education, government, and/or grant-funded research or public service
• Experience with unionized employment, CBA maintenance, and contract interpretation and implementation
• Experience developing and providing training or education programs
• Experience conducting investigations/audits/reviews, factual analysis, and report-writing
• Experience in project management and effective committee work

Additional Information

Position Number: NEW

Compensation Title: Personnel Officer

Work Schedule: Full-time, 1.0 FTE (40 Hours a week), Monday through Friday 8:00 am to 5:00 pm, 12 months/year

Probationary Period: Six (6) months minimum

Benefits Include: Insurance package, mandatory retirement plan, partial tuition waiver, and wellness program.

Screening of applications will begin after the closing date; however, applications will continue to be accepted until an adequate applicant pool has been established.

A complete application includes:

• Letter of Interest - addressing your qualifications and experience related to the stated required skills for the position. A general letter salutation such as "Dear Search Committee" or "Dear Hiring Manager" is acceptable.
• Detailed Resume - listing education and describing work experience
• Three (3) Professional References - names and contact information

The University of Montana is interested in receiving applications from people who would assist the University in demonstrating its five priorities for action: Place student success at the center of all we do; drive excellence and innovation in teaching, learning, and research; embody the principle of "mission first, people always"; partner with place; and proudly tell the UM story.

Must be eligible to work in the United State upon hire. Sponsorship is not available for this position.