"Human Resources Business Partner - Academic Affairs"

Job Description

Provides HR support by fostering positive employee relations, resolving complex workplace issues, and conducting thorough investigations. Partners with supervisors to guide performance management, goal setting, and staff development planning. Supports departmental operations by ensuring accurate personnel processing and alignment with university policies. Collaborates with divisions on workforce planning, HR initiatives, and integrating employee development into long-term organizational strategies. Serves as the first point of contact for departments and managers.

Employee Relations

• Manages and resolves first level employee relations issues.
• Conducts effective, thorough and objective investigations.
• Interprets and coaches on effective problem resolution using constructive strategies such as coaching, mediation, progressive discipline or complaint processes that support positive work relationships and policies.
• Coaches and advises supervisors on employee and organizational issues and provides guidance and policy interpretation when appropriate.
• Builds and leverages relationships to drive change and support leaders in achieving their goals.

Performance Management

• Supports supervisors and staff on the staff performance management process including goal setting and expectations, managing staff, delivering performance feedback and identifying behavioral indicators.
• Assist supervisors with creating staff development plans or opportunities.
• Provides guidance and input on restructurings, workforce planning, and succession planning as part of departmental planning.

Performance Development

• Analyzes trends and metrics in partnership with divisions to develop solutions, programs, and policies.
• Supports supervisors with creating development plans or identifying staff development opportunities.
• Ensures that human resources issues are a key part of department plans, including emerging employee skills requirements and succession planning.
• Updates job descriptions and writes new job descriptions in working with the managers.

Operations

• Assists division in the accurate and timely processing of staff personnel actions, including Period Activity Pay, One-Time Payments, and Letters of Appointments.
• Assists with providing requested reports and guidance on reporting to divisions.
• Ensures ongoing departmental initiatives are within existing University policies and coordinated with other key stakeholders internal and external to HR.
• Participates in planning with respective departments working with HR areas to assist the business needs for the present and future goals.
• Routinely consults and partners with leaders in the divisions to understand and develop critical business strategies and drivers and identifies corresponding HR capabilities.
• Plays a key role in the management and implementation of HR-related projects and initiatives.
• Ensures the on-boarding and off-boarding (exits) are completed with employees to include overseeing orientations.
• Assist with troubleshooting pay issues.

ADDITIONAL DUTIES

• Cooperates and collaborates with other employees in the spirit of teamwork and collegiality and interacts with confidence, patience and integrity to provide professional leadership during emergencies.
• Complies with all Trinity University policies and guidelines.
• Performs other duties as required.

EDUCATION

Required:
Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution.

Preferred:
Master's degree from an accredited institution.

EXPERIENCE

Required:

• Four years of professional (exempt level) HR experience in at least two of the following HR disciplines: Employee Relations, Talent Acquisition, Employment, Compensation, Organizational Development and/or Workforce Analytics.
• Experience in resolving workplace issues and supporting performance management, conducting effective, thorough and objective investigations and assessments.
• Experience developing and maintaining professional relationships to drive change at all levels of leadership from employees to supervisors to executives.
• Experience in working in Higher Education in an Academic setting.

Preferred:

• Experience in Higher Education, providing HR support to senior leaders at a private, liberal arts University or College.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

Required:

• Proficiency with Digital Tools and Data Analytics
• Ability to Leverage Data for Decision Support
• Inclusive Excellence/Cross-Cultural Competence
• Maintain Confidentiality
• Effective Communication Skills among Diverse Audiences

Preferred:

• Proficiency navigating and using: Workday, Microsoft Office Applications, Google Suite, Tableau and applications for business intelligence, decision support, data visualization and online communities that facilitate information sharing.
• Knowledge of Higher Education
• A background in the principles of HR management in a campus setting.
• Understanding the unique needs of the academy, successfully navigating shared governance and earning the respect and confidence of academic and operational leaders.

LICENSES/CERTIFICATIONS

Preferred:

• PHR or SHRM certification a plus.