Director-Human Resources Operations

In collaboration with the People and Culture Division Leadership, the primary purpose of the Director of Human Resources Operations is to provide strategic leadership and operational oversight for the Human Resources department, with a strong emphasis on process improvement, workflow optimization, and identifying efficiencies across all HR functions. The incumbent will lead transformational change that shifts HR operations from task-driven, transactional processes to a customer-service–centered model focused on responsiveness, consistency, and service excellence.

The Director must demonstrate a proven record of successful organizational transformation within Human Resources and possess strong knowledge and experience in core HR functions, including—but not limited to—recruitment and talent acquisition, classification and compensation, and employee relations. This role ensures that HR systems, practices, and services operate cohesively and effectively to support institutional goals and the needs of faculty, staff, and leadership.

• This position is located on-campus full-time.

EWU is committed to supporting and promoting a workforce that is welcoming to all and encourages applicants of all backgrounds to apply for this position.

The salary for this position is $104,985 (minimum) up to $122,004. Where the hired candidate will begin within this range is dependent on education, experience, and skills. In addition to salary, the university offers a comprehensive benefits package including health insurance and disability insurance and retirement. In addition, EWU offers generous vacation and sick leave accruals, 12 paid holidays per year and fringe benefits, such as tuition waiver for employees and eligible family members, discounted EWU sports tickets, full access to our campus workout facilities at a minimum fee and free transportation through STA buses. For additional information regarding insurance benefits please see our Benefits page: https://inside.ewu.edu/hr/benefits/insurance/.

Applications are open and accepted until recruitment is closed. Screening of applications will begin on Monday, January 19, 2026. A three-day notice will be provided prior to closure of recruitment. All materials will be held in strictest confidence; references will not be contacted until candidates have been notified.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Organizational Development, or a related field.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in human resources or similar service.
• Demonstrated success in improving service strategies or workforce planning initiatives.
• Proven experience with process improvement methodologies and change management practices.
• Excellent analytical, organizational, and communication skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and work collaboratively across diverse teams.
• Demonstrated ability to apply a responsive and flexible approach that is supportive of the needs including universal access of our students, faculty, staff and the public.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Human Resources, Organizational Development, Communication, or a related field.
• Experience in higher education, government, or other large complex organizations.
• Project Management Professional (PMP) certification or equivalent training.
• Proficiency in HR systems and data analytics platforms (e.g., Banner, Workday, PeopleSoft, Tableau).

Job Duties

Process Improvement & Systems Optimization

• Workflow Enhancements: Identify and lead continuous improvement projects within HR services, specifically in recruitment, onboarding, and overall administrative processes.
• Process Mapping & Redesign: Document, assess, and redesign existing processes to increase efficiency and service delivery.
• Systems Collaboration: Partner with IT and HRIS teams to optimize system functionality, reporting tools, and user self-service capabilities.
• Operational Excellence: Drive initiatives that ensure HR processes are compliant, standardized, and user-friendly.

Percent of Time: 35

Project Leadership & Stakeholder Engagement

• Project Management: Lead cross-functional HR projects from planning to implementation, ensuring timelines, deliverables, and budget adherence.
• Strategic Advising: Act as a strategic partner to university and HR leadership, offering guidance on change management and talent development initiatives.
• Communication: Organize and lead project meetings, facilitate stakeholder input, and maintain transparent communication on project progress and outcomes.
• Reporting & Evaluation: Regularly track project milestones and provide updates to leadership, assessing project effectiveness and areas for future improvement.

Percent of Time: 25

Recruitment Processes

• Lead initiatives to refine job posting, candidate screening, and onboarding procedures.
• Strategic Partnerships: Work with HR and department leaders to assess hiring needs and develop targeted recruitment plans to attract diverse and high-quality talent.
• Data Analysis: Monitor hiring metrics (e.g., time-to-fill, source effectiveness, candidate experience) and implement data-driven improvements.
• Employer Branding: Collaborate with marketing and communications to boost the visibility and attractiveness of job opportunities.

Percent of Time: 20

Workforce Planning and Organizational Design

• Trend Analysis: Support long-term workforce planning by analyzing turnover, retirement trends, and labor market dynamics.
• Staffing Alignment: Coordinate workforce analyses to ensure that staffing levels and organizational design align with budget constraints and strategic objectives.
• Decision Support Tools: Develop and implement frameworks to assist departments in making data-informed staffing decisions and managing talent pipelines.
• Change Facilitation: Engage with leadership on organizational design discussions and related change initiatives.

Percent of Time: 20

Salary Information

The salary for this position is $104,985 (minimum) up to $122,004. Where the hired candidate will begin within this range is dependent on education, experience, and skills.

Posting Date: 12/22/2025
Screening to Begin: 01/19/2026