Executive Director of Human Resources in Arts and Sciences

• Job Type: Officer of Administration


• Bargaining Unit:


• Regular/Temporary: Regular


• End Date if Temporary:


• Hours Per Week: 35


• Standard Work Schedule:


• Building:


• Salary Range: $150,000 - $175,000

Position Summary

The Executive Director of Human Resources serves as the human resources officer for the Arts and Sciences administrative staff at Columbia University.  The Arts and Sciences is home to more than 60 research centers, institutes, and 28 academic departments.

Under the direction of the Associate Vice President of Finance and Human Resources, the Executive Director will assess and implement talent management strategies that proactively address improvement opportunities needed to achieve the department’s mission, vision, and people strategy.

The Executive Director provides department managers with customer-centered human resources expertise, leadership, and tactical support.  They will serve as a key resource to the Arts and Sciences leadership team, helping to drive proactive and impactful people solutions that align with the overall goals and organizational priorities of Arts and Sciences. 

Responsibilities

• Under the guidance of the Associate Vice President, provide leadership on human resources matters across the Arts and Sciences and contribute to developing talent management strategies. Work with Arts and Sciences leadership teams to effectively communicate, deliver, and administer human resources programs and policies.


• Partner closely with the University's central human resources office to support and implement various HR initiatives such as compensation and recruitment strategies, performance management solutions and framework, and successful labor and employee relations outcomes.  Foster a collaborative, collegial, and service-oriented approach to human resources for the Arts and Sciences. 


• Liaise with the other University partners (OGC, EOAA, Ombuds, etc.) in support of initiatives. 


• Implement HR initiatives and programs related to talent management, onboarding and training, policy interpretation and guidance, and employee and labor relations. 


• Oversee and conduct operational tasks related to recruitment, compensation and payroll administration, training and development, performance evaluation, talent management, employee/labor relations, reorganization planning, and conflict resolution. Review and approve HR transactions in the People at Columbia (PAC) systems. 


• Serve as the first point of contact with University offices regarding HR-related issues and represent the Arts and Sciences for any investigations, grievance hearings, and collective bargaining committees.


• Work with administrative colleagues to develop and/or make recommendations for improvement to organizational structures, policies, and processes to support operations across the Arts and Sciences. 


• Advise and help hiring managers with administrative recruitment, including drafting job descriptions and using Columbia’s recruiting system, TalentLink. 


• Prepare and disseminate reports to managers to support the annual compensation review process; collect and review compensation change requests; make recommendations to the Associate Vice President on determinations. 


• Work collaboratively with administrative colleagues to help create resource tools (toolkits, manuals, training guides, and procedures) to assist staff with various administrative processes and transactions.  Coordinate efforts with university-wide learning and training resources. 


• Ensure compliance with all regulatory agencies, departmental, and organization policies and procedures for all staff.


• Conduct impact analyses, create mitigation strategies, and identify key stakeholders in alignment with the department’s people strategy.


• Contribute to and support the development of an organizational culture of accountability and proactivity.


• Conduct workplace investigations.


• Manage HR staff and provide coaching and development.  Evaluate team member performance and competencies, approaching the performance review process constructively and in accordance with Human Resources and departmental guidelines and procedures. Offers ongoing guidance and assistance to employees on work activities, procedures, competency development, and performance-related issues as appropriate. Identifies and mitigates any roadblocks to performance.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources or related field.


• A minimum of 7 years of related work experience.


• Strong interpersonal skills; ability to interact effectively with multiple disciplines within an academic setting
  
  
  
  • Exceptional communication skills, both written and verbal
  
  
  • Excellent active listening skills
  
  
  • Ability to clearly articulate messages to a variety of audiences
  
  
  • Ability to establish and maintain strong relationships and build trust
  
  
  • Ability to influence others and move toward a common vision or goal
  
  
  
  


• Collaboration, teamwork, and partnership are essential. Must be able to work with senior leaders/executives in a complex organization and be effective at managing change and solving complex problems.


• Must be able to navigate a nuanced work environment that is cross-functional and develop structure and process to complexities when they arise.


• Ability to work under pressure and with minimal supervision and good independent judgment. 


• Experience in workplace investigations.


• Strong analytical skills and attention to detail.


• Excellent time management skills.


• Proficient in Microsoft Office applications, including Outlook, Excel, and Word.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's Degree in Human Resources, OD, management/business administration.


• Experience and understanding of change management methodology, discipline, and/or strategies.

Equal Opportunity Employer / Disability / Veteran

Columbia University is committed to the hiring of qualified local residents.