"Director of Human Resources"

The W. P. Carey School of Business at Arizona State University is seeking a bold, strategic, and human-centered Director of Human Resources to lead the school’s HR function during a pivotal time of growth, innovation, and cultural evolution. In W. P. Carey, we believe business is personal and that belief begins with our people. As one of the largest and most prestigious business schools in the country, we serve a dynamic community of more than 800 faculty and staff who are dedicated to access, excellence, and impact in business education. The Director of HR plays a mission-critical role in creating and sustaining an inclusive, high-performing workplace where all employees can thrive.

You will be guiding everything from organizational design and workforce planning to employee relations, change management, and culture-building. You’ll collaborate directly with deans, faculty leaders, department heads, and university partners to ensure that our HR approach is proactive, integrated, and aligned with the strategic priorities of the school and the broader university.

You’ll lead an HR team embedded within the college and be the go-to advisor for our leadership team on complex personnel matters. You’ll also co-lead initiatives that promote engagement, belonging, and employee well-being.

We’re looking for someone who’s equal parts strategic visionary, empathetic leader, skilled communicator, and operational expert, a trusted partner who thrives in complexity and is energized by building systems, solving problems, and elevating people.

Responsibilities - Job Duties

• Serve as the HR strategist and advisor, ensuring alignment between the school’s workforce strategies and institutional mission, values, and operational priorities.
• Build and sustain strong partnerships with academic leadership, unit heads, and central HR to develop and implement proactive, collaborative, and people-centered solutions.
• Lead consultation on critical HR areas including workforce planning, organizational design, succession planning, classification and compensation strategy, performance management, and employee relations.
• Oversee and continuously improve faculty and staff lifecycle processes—recruitment, onboarding, promotions, separations, and performance improvement—with an emphasis on equity, efficiency, and employee experience.
• Ensure ongoing compliance with university, state, and federal employment regulations, including FMLA, ADA, EEOC, and Title IX.
• Collaborate with financial services and operational leaders to align HR strategy with resource planning and budget development.
• Lead and develop a high-performing HR team of 7 staff, providing direct supervision, mentorship, and professional development while modeling inclusive and strategic leadership. Maintain deep involvement in day-to-day HR operations, making final decisions on process improvements, prioritizing areas for efficiency, and ensuring alignment with institutional goals at W. P. Carey. Oversee the development and delivery of key HR data and reporting, determining what is needed, how to obtain it, and ensuring it is provided to senior leadership to support informed decision-making.
• Co-lead the W. P. Carey Culture Committee and champion school-wide engagement, belonging, and recognition efforts.
• Lead HR-related change management initiatives and deliver training and communication strategies that support organizational development and readiness.
• Manage complex and sensitive employee relations issues, including investigations and discipline, with professionalism, discretion, and a people-first mindset.

This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the team member. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change or be assigned at any time with or without notice.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Human Resources, Organizational Leadership, Business Administration, Public Administration, or a related field.
• Experience working within or closely alongside central HR offices in a higher education or large public institution.
• Demonstrated expertise in Workday or comparable enterprise-level HRIS platforms, including reporting, business processes, and system optimization.
• Strong financial and analytical acumen with the ability to interpret, influence, and align HR strategy with budget, staffing models, and operational plans.
• Experience overseeing complex employee relations matters, including investigations, conflict resolution, and compliance with institutional policy and employment law.
• Proven ability to lead change management efforts, including redesign of processes, structures, or cultural initiatives.
• Experience designing and delivering learning and development programs tailored to staff and faculty audiences.
• Experience managing or coaching HR teams in environments characterized by ambiguity, growth, or restructuring.
• Proficiency in analyzing and using HR metrics and data to inform strategy and support continuous improvement.
• A leadership style that inspires trust, promotes transparency, and reflects emotional intelligence, adaptability, and sound judgment.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, including experience drafting sensitive documentation and policy guidance.
• Familiarity with shared governance environments, faculty personnel processes, and the nuances of academic appointments and labor categories.
• Track record of building strong, service-oriented relationships with a wide range of stakeholders—from front-line staff to executive leadership.
• Demonstrated ability to navigate complex, decentralized organizations with a collaborative and diplomatic approach.