Director, HR and People Operations

Department

AHD Staff: Div Admin PA Planning & Administration

About the Department

The Division of the Arts and Humanities is one of the four graduate divisions of the University of Chicago, offering 19 degree programs across 16 departments and committees. Students and academics in our departments dedicate themselves to the thoughtful consideration of humanities' place in the world. This dedication is displayed through our interdisciplinary centers and programs. The Division of the Arts and Humanities thrives thanks to its engaging and dynamic staff members, who provide essential infrastructure to support faculty and students while driving institutional success.

Job Summary

Candidates must upload a resume and cover letter for consideration.

The Director of HR and People Operations for the Division of the Arts and Humanities is a key leadership position that provides strategic direction and oversight for all staff, student, temp, and seasonal HR functions. As a trusted advisor, the Director provides counsel to leaders to support people operations and objectives. This role partners with division and University leadership, faculty, and staff to create and maintain a supportive, inclusive, and engaging work environment that aligns with the division’s mission and strategic goals. The Director is responsible for implementing and managing HR policies, employee relations, talent management, inclusion initiatives, compensation and payroll, and workforce development strategies. The Director also supervises two full-time professional HR staff.

Responsibilities

• Serves as a trusted advisor and partner offering counsel to the AHD community to achieve personnel and operational objectives.
• Collaborates with leaders and department heads to identify staffing needs. Develops workforce plans and implements succession planning initiatives.
• Administers and manages HR staff and professional development budgets and expenses.
• Leads and manages team of two full-time professionals, providing guidance, mentoring, and professional development opportunities to ensure high performance and engagement.
• Stays abreast of federal, state and local employment laws and regulations and may advise unit management and professional staff in matters relating.
• Ensures and may help develop short- and long-term human resources plans and operational policies for the Division. Develops and administers the HR budget and manages expenses.
• Oversees recruitment efforts, develops/updates job descriptions, conducts interviews, and onboards new hires.
• Ensures training programs are effectively designed and implemented to foster new hire success and develop current employees' skills and knowledge, enhancing overall performance. Collaborates with department heads (Finance and Grant Services, Academic Affairs, Communications, etc.) to identify training needs and continuously monitors the effectiveness of training initiatives.
• Oversee annual HUM Staff Award Program.
• Facilitates monthly all staff meetings.
• Fosters a culture of continuous learning by developing/promoting professional development programs and career path initiatives for staff.
• Manages the annual salary planning process, ensuring alignment with policies and budgets.
• Conducts salary equity reviews and prepares recommendations to promote pay equity and competitiveness.
• Manages staff promotions, ensuring consistency and fairness across units.
• Analyzes compensation data to identify trends and recommend changes that enhance the Division’s competitiveness.
• Oversees staff, student, temporary, and seasonal payroll functions.
• Serves as the primary AHD HR resource for employee relations (ER) issues, providing coaching, conflict resolution, and policy guidance.
• Partners with Employee Labor Relations to conduct ER investigations with discretion and objectivity, ensuring timely and fair outcomes.
• Oversees performance management processes, including evaluations, feedback mechanisms, and improvement plans, to support staff in achieving their professional goals.
• Manages employees by establishing annual performance goals, allocating resources, assessing annual performance, and determining individual merit, incentive and/or promotional increases.
• May represent the unit in grievances, complaints, or legal issues, and works with the appropriate University offices to coordinate resolutions.
• Performs other related work as needed.

Minimum Qualifications

Education:

Minimum requirements include a college or university degree in related field.

Work Experience:

Minimum requirements include knowledge and skills developed through 7+ years of work experience in a related job discipline.

Certifications:

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Preferred Qualifications

Experience:

• Higher education, working with deans, senior leadership, faculty, staff, and students.
• Proven track record developing and implementing HR strategies that align with organizational goals and enhance employee engagement.
• Strong background in employee relations, conflict resolution, and mediation, with a commitment to fostering a collaborative and inclusive workplace.
• Passion for creating positive and supportive environments for faculty and staff.
• Excellent communication, interpersonal, and problem-solving skills.
• Strong knowledge of HR systems, data analysis, and technology to improve HR operations and decision-making.
• Comprehensive understanding of higher education policies, laws, and regulations as they pertain to human resources.
• Leadership and management experience.

Preferred Competencies

• High-level of integrity and trusted partner.
• Relationship-building.
• Strong communicator.
• Strategic execution and direction.
• Innovative.
• Lead through change.
• Risk management.
• Decision-making and problem-solving.

Application Documents

• Resume/CV (required)
• Cover Letter (required)

Job Family

Human Resources

Role Impact

People Manager

Scheduled Weekly Hours

37.5

Drug Test Required

No

Health Screen Required

No

Motor Vehicle Record Inquiry Required

No

Pay Rate Type

Salary

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FLSA Status

Exempt

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Pay Range

$120,000.00 - $150,000.00

The included pay rate or range represents the University’s good faith estimate of the possible compensation offer for this role at the time of posting.

Benefits Eligible

Yes

The University of Chicago offers a wide range of benefits programs and resources for eligible employees, including health, retirement, and paid time off. Information about the benefit offerings can be found in the Benefits Guidebook.

Posting Statement

The University of Chicago is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, or expression, national or ethnic origin, shared ancestry, age, status as an individual with a disability, military or veteran status, genetic information, or other protected classes under the law. For additional information please see the University's Notice of Nondiscrimination.

 

Job seekers in need of a reasonable accommodation to complete the application process should call 773-702-5800 or submit a request via Applicant Inquiry Form.

 

All offers of employment are contingent upon a background check that includes a review of conviction history.  A conviction does not automatically preclude University employment.  Rather, the University considers conviction information on a case-by-case basis and assesses the nature of the offense, the circumstances surrounding it, the proximity in time of the conviction, and its relevance to the position.

 

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