RPM Senior HR Assistant

Posted: 21-Mar-26

Location: Ann Arbor, Michigan

Categories: Staff/Administrative

Internal Number: 275300

A cover letter is required for consideration for this position and should be attached as the first page of your resume. The cover letter should address your specific interest in the position and outline skills and experience that directly relate to this position.

The RPM Senior HR Assistant provides support to the Human Resources and Research Administration offices in the Division of Resource Planning and Management in the College of Engineering's Dean's Office. Reporting to the HR Director, the selected candidate will serve as a key liaison between departments/units, ensuring efficient processing of HR transactions, compliance with university policies, and a high level of HR support. The position supports recruitment, on/offboarding, employee records management, payroll and timekeeping, and HR systems, while also contributing to reporting, communications, and employee engagement initiatives.

HR Transactions, Recruitment & Temporary Staffing (50%)

• Enter, review, and approve HR transactions from the College of Engineering departments/units
• Partner with hiring managers throughout the recruitment process for both regular and temporary positions
• Serve as the primary liaison for student and non-student temporary appointments, overseeing HR processes and monitoring employment timelines
• Review postdoctoral new hire paperwork for completeness and accuracy; coordinate with the Shared Services Center and hiring teams to ensure timely processing
• Approve PeoplePay transactions for the College
• Maintain and update multiple tracking spreadsheets to monitor hiring and HR activity

Reporting, Systems & Communications (20%)

• Produce reports, presentations, and materials as needed
• Support development of New Employee Orientation/Welcome Sessions and annual Performance Review and Planning materials
• Maintain the Human Resources and Research Administration Google site
• Manage and update the RPM staff directory
• Respond to HR-related email inquiries and provide timely customer service support
• Serve as the primary contact for the Performance Review system, providing troubleshooting and user support
• Participate in the Performance Review Partners Committee

HR Operations, On/Offboarding & Records Management (15%)

• Receive, process, and route HR paperwork internally and externally
• Coordinate onboarding and offboarding documentation and processes
• Maintain employee records, files, and confidential documentation
• Ensure compliance with legal requirements, university policies, and records retention standards
• Coordinate and manage Michigan Engineering Welcome Sessions (approximately 5-6 annually)
• Manage retirement gift and professorship chair gift processes

General Administrative Duties (10%):

• Manage the calendars of the HR team and Research Administration team; take minutes at team meetings and manage meeting logistics
• Provide administrative support to the HR and Research Administrative teams with other administrative tasks (e.g.; purchasing, mail, event planning)

Payroll, Timekeeping & Compliance (5%)

• Perform timekeeping functions and serve as a point of contact for payroll-related issues, including resolving complex discrepancies
• Act as a secondary I-9 Unit Compliance Officer by running monthly compliance reports, identifying delinquent or expired I-9s and E-Verify cases, and communicating findings to unit administrators
• Resolve timekeeping and payroll-related issues, including missing timesheets and compliance discrepancies

Perform other duties as assigned

Required Qualifications:

• Associate's degree in business administration or a related field and five years of experience in a business setting or an equivalent combination of education and experience;
• Excellent technical skills including Microsoft and Google applications, virtual meeting applications;
• Experience managing calendars and scheduling meetings for varying audiences with discretion;
• Excellent communication skills;
• Demonstrated ability to prioritize work and meet deadlines;
• Demonstrated ability to network and collaborate with diverse groups and teams across campus

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in business administration or related field;
• Experience in a higher education setting;
• Knowledge of web applications (WordPress) and Google Add-Ons;
• Knowledge of U-M human resources policies and procedures;
• Experience working in Wolverine Access;
• Experience reconciling PCard and Emburse Enterprise

The University of Michigan conducts background checks on all job candidates upon acceptance of a contingent offer and may use a third party administrator to conduct background checks. Background checks are performed in compliance with the Fair Credit Reporting Act.

Job openings are posted for a minimum of seven calendar days. The review and selection process may begin as early as the eighth day after posting. This opening may be removed from posting boards and filled any time after the minimum posting period has ended.

The University of Michigan is an equal employment opportunity employer.