"Director, Talent Strategy"

Job Summary

Mercy University seeks a visionary leader to serve as Director of Talent Strategy. This position is responsible for setting and executing the University's strategic direction for talent acquisition, staff onboarding and retention, compensation strategy, and workforce structure. The Director will lead a team, and serve as a thought partner to University leadership, shaping the systems, policies, and frameworks that ensure Mercy attracts, supports, and retains a highly qualified, mission-aligned, and diverse workforce.

Reporting to the Chief Human Resources Officer, the Director will provide leadership and insight on institutional staffing strategies, oversee the modernization of HR technologies and processes, and promote consistency and equity across employment practices ensuring best practices across the University. The ideal candidate will bring an innovative mindset, a commitment to excellence, and a proactive, collaborative leadership style.

Job Functions & Responsibilities

Strategic Talent Acquisition & Workforce Planning

• Design and implement a forward-looking talent acquisition strategy aligned with Mercy’s academic and operational priorities
• Use workforce analytics to anticipate staffing needs and assess recruitment effectiveness
• Serve as a strategic advisor to senior leaders and department heads on hiring plans, position design, and organizational development
• Build and steward a University-wide approach to staff recruitment that reflects Mercy’s values of access, equity, and excellence

Compensation Strategy & Equity

• Oversee salary placement, classification processes, and market benchmarking in collaboration with HR and Finance leadership

Onboarding and Retention

• Lead a strategic redesign of the staff onboarding experience to ensure integration, engagement, and early success
• Develop institution-wide frameworks and tools for improving employee retention and engagement
• Analyze data from exit interviews and turnover trends to shape institutional initiatives related to culture and climate

Organizational Design and Operational Efficiency

• Assess and advise on organizational structures across departments to promote effectiveness and eliminate redundancies
• Partner with leadership on reorganization efforts, department reviews, and job architecture development
• Establish standards for job descriptions, titles, and classification that support consistency across the institution and with market
• Develop captivating employer brand campaigns and initiatives

HR Systems and Process Innovation

• Provide strategic oversight for applicant tracking and onboarding platforms
• Lead long-term systems and process optimization
• Evaluate emerging HR technologies and recommend digital solutions that enhance the candidate and manager experience
• Ensure alignment between HR systems and data strategy to support real-time decision-making and institutional reporting needs

Required Skills, Education & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s degree in Human Resources, Business, Higher Education Administration, or related field strongly preferred
• Minimum of 7–10 years of HR experience, with a demonstrated record of strategic leadership in recruitment, compensation, or workforce development
• Experience in a complex, mission-driven environment such as higher education, healthcare, or the nonprofit sector
• Proven success leading organizational change, managing cross-functional initiatives, including employer branding and influencing senior leadership
• Knowledge of employment law and HR best practices, including a strong knowledge of New York Employment and Labor laws regarding wage and hour requirements
• Familiarity with Banner System highly preferred
• Expertise in workforce data analysis, systems thinking, and process improvement
• Strong interpersonal, communication, and leadership skills with a commitment to Mercy University’s mission and values

About Mercy

Mercy University is a dynamic, independent, coeducational New York City area university that offers more than 100 undergraduate and graduate degree and certificate programs in six schools: Business, Education, Health and Natural Sciences, Liberal Arts, Nursing, and Social and Behavioral Sciences.

Mercy is the region's largest private, nonprofit, Minority-Serving Institution, proud to serve a student body that is highly diverse. As a federally designated Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI), Mercy University, has been ranked nationally among top colleges in the country for Hispanics by the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU) and by Excelencia in Education, earning their prestigious Seal of Excelencia for intentionally serving Latino students.

Mercy University was further recognized by HACU as a national leader in awarding bachelor's degrees to Hispanics in several disciplines, including Psychology, Sociology, and Business. Westchester Magazine has also named Mercy the Best College in Westchester County in 2019, 2020, and 2022.

Mercy is committed to offering an inclusive learning environment to help a diverse student body set a course for their future. To support its student body, Mercy has been awarded a number of federal grants which enable us to better develop and deliver education to our students.

Mercy’s student body reflects the rich diversity of the New York metropolitan area. Enrollment, including full-time and part-time undergraduates and graduates, is approximately 8,800. Mercy students learn on campuses in Dobbs Ferry, the Bronx, and Manhattan as well as online.

At Mercy University we strive to provide employees and their families with a comprehensive and valuable benefits package. We offer high-quality health care plans, retirement benefits, tuition discounts, flexible spending, and much more.

Our Mission

Mercy University is committed to providing motivated students the opportunity to transform their lives through higher education by offering liberal arts and professional programs in personalized and high-quality learning environments, thus preparing students to embark on rewarding careers, to continue learning throughout their lives and to act ethically and responsibly in a changing world.

Benefits Eligible

Mercy University strives to provide employees and their families with a comprehensive and valuable benefits package. We offer high-quality health care plans, retirement benefits, tuition discounts, flexible spending, and much more.

EEO Statement

Mercy University is an equal opportunity employer. Mercy University actively engages in recruiting a diverse workforce and student body that includes members of historically underrepresented groups and strives to build and sustain a welcoming and supportive campus community. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, color, national origin, ethnicity, creed, religion, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, pregnancy, height, weight, genetic information, disability, or protected veteran status.

As part of this commitment, Mercy University will ensure that persons with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations for the hiring process. If reasonable accommodation is needed, please contact The Office of Human Resources at (914) 674-7839, Option 6 or via email at HR@mercy.edu.

The posted salary range for this position is based on several legitimate, non-discriminatory factors set by the organization. Mercy is committed to ensuring equal pay opportunities for equal work regardless of gender, race, or any other category protected by federal, state, or local pay equity laws.

Campus Safety

Mercy University is committed to providing a safe and welcoming environment for all. Information regarding campus safety can be found here.