Barnard College - Columbia University Jobs

Barnard College - Columbia University

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3009 Broadway, New York, NY 10027, USA

5 Star University

"Director of Human Resources"

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Director of Human Resources

Job Summary

The Director of Human Resources provides strategic leadership and consultative direction to the HR Centers of Excellence -- People Experience, Client Services, Benefits, Labor and Employee Relations, and Human Resources Information Systems (HRIS) -- in support of the College's departments and divisions. The Director of Human Resources partners with leadership to align HR strategy with institutional goals while ensuring compliance with laws, regulations, and best practices.

Job Description

Duties & Responsibilities

People Operations and Client Services

  • Provide leadership in the delivery of HR services across schools, departments, and divisions.
  • Serve as a trusted advisor to internal HR team members, as well as the College's managers and employees on a wide range of HR issues, including policy interpretation, performance management, compliance, and problem resolution.
  • Consult on employment and recruitment practices that require escalation, onboarding, data management, reporting, and compliance with federal, state, and College regulations.
  • Collaborate with the EVP, CAO, and senior leadership on staffing, employee engagement, retention strategies, and workforce planning.
  • Ensure consistent administration of HR practices in alignment with service standards, institutional values, and applicable labor laws for employees, including student workers.
  • Partner with subject-matter experts to deliver best-in-class HR services that support organizational effectiveness.

Labor and Employee Relations

  • Provide strategic guidance to managers and employees of our 5 bargaining units on the interpretation and application of collective bargaining agreements to ensure compliance and foster constructive labor-management relationships.
  • Oversee the business process and management of investigatory, disciplinary, and grievance procedures for both exempt and non-exempt employees.
  • Cultivate strong, collaborative partnerships with managers across the College, proactively engaging to anticipate and address employee relations matters before they escalate.
  • Provide strategic leadership in union contract negotiations, ensuring outcomes that align with institutional goals while fostering collaborative labor-management relationships. Manager union contract negotiations with a focus on achieving fair, sustainable agreements that align with the strategic priorities of the College.

Human Resources Information Systems (HRIS)

  • Provide strategic leadership and governance of the College's HRIS (Workday), positioning it as a center of excellence that fully supports institutional goals and HR strategy.
  • Drive data integrity, compliance, and system reliability, ensuring accurate, timely, and actionable workforce insights.
  • Leverage HRIS to deliver advanced analytics, benchmarking, reporting, and workforce planning tools that inform executive decision-making and strategic initiatives.
  • Oversee key Compensation processes within HRIS, including benchmarking, wage adjustments, organizational changes, transactions, audits, and mass uploads (EIBs).
  • Oversight of HRIS functions across Workday HCM, including Benefits and Leave Administration, Recruitment, Compensation, and Talent Management.
  • Partner with IT, Finance, and HR leaders to evaluate, design, and implement system enhancements and technology solutions that improve efficiency, compliance, and user experience.
  • Conduct audits and process reviews to ensure accuracy, transparency, and accountability in all HRIS-supported functions, including compensation and benefits.

Business Processes and Change Management

  • Facilitate internal process and system changes, developing and revising operating procedures as needed.
  • Promote continuous improvement by identifying and evaluating process improvement opportunities, developing methodology, and streamlining processes to improve efficiency.
  • Design and implement HR programs, systems, and services aligned with the College's goals.
  • Partner with the EVP, CAO to ensure institution-wide consistency and compliance with federal and state employment and compensation laws.
  • Develop reporting procedures and accountability measures to evaluate HR program effectiveness.
  • Establish philosophies and strategies that align with the College's mission, goals, and strategic plan.

Team Management

  • Provide leadership and daily management to a team of Human Resources Associate Directors for each Center of Excellence, and extended HR staff of HR Partners, or designees, across the five centers of excellence.
  • Oversee HR business processes and work allocation, training, performance management, performance evaluations for team members, etc.
  • Motivate and coach staff to achieve peak performance, promoting continuous improvement and efficiency.
  • Stay current with HR trends, best practices, regulatory changes, and new technologies, communicating relevant updates to leadership.

Skills, Qualifications & Requirements

Required Skills & Abilities

  • Proven ability to maintain the highest level of confidentiality, diplomacy, professionalism, and integrity.
  • Strong customer service orientation with flexibility, adaptability, and a commitment to excellence.
  • Demonstrated sound judgment, critical thinking, and decision-making skills, with a collaborative leadership style that fosters teamwork and cooperation.
  • Highly organized with excellent problem-solving and prioritization skills, able to manage multiple, complex assignments effectively.
  • Experience working in a unionized environment, with demonstrated success in both traditional and interest-based negotiations.
  • Exceptional oral and written communication skills, including the ability to facilitate training and engage diverse audiences.
  • Knowledge of HR best practices in performance management, retention, investigations, professional development, and compliance.
  • Commitment to build effective relationships across diverse employee populations.
  • Demonstrated ability to coach, mentor, and serve as a role model for managers and staff.
  • Advanced knowledge of Google Suite and Microsoft Office Suite and strong technical skills.
  • Ability to manipulate and analyze data and reports.
  • Self-motivated and results-driven, with the ability to work independently while also contributing as a collaborative team member.

Education/Experience Required

  • Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or related field.
  • Minimum of ten (10) years of progressively responsible Human Resources experience with expertise in organizational effectiveness, employee relations, talent management, and/or business development.
  • Demonstrated supervisory experience motivating a team and leading change management.

Preferred Qualifications

  • Advanced degree in a relevant field.
  • Professional HR certification (e.g., SHRM-CP, SHRM-SCP, PHR, SPHR).
  • Experience in higher education.
  • Proficiency in Workday HRIS (HCM, Benefits, Recruitment, and Leave Administration), with strong technical and analytical skills.

This is a hybrid role - 3 days a week minimum in the office and may also at times, be required to come into the office additional days. Available after hours and weekends as needed.

Salary Range: $165,000 - $170,000

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