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HUM Staff: Div Admin PA Planning & Administration

About the Department

The Division of the Humanities comprises 19 degree programs across 16 departments and committees, with approximately 800 students from around the world enrolled in PhD, MFA, and MA programs. Students and faculty dedicate themselves to the thoughtful consideration of humanity\'s place in the world. This dedication is displayed through interdisciplinary centers, programs and workshops, and courses taught by some of the world\'s leading scholars. Dynamic and dedicated staff in the Division provide the essential infrastructure needed to support faculty, students, and one another, fostering collaboration, enhancing innovation, and ensuring the Division\'s success.

Job Summary

The Senior Director of Human Resources and People Operations is a key leadership position that provides strategic direction and oversight for all staff, student, temporary, and seasonal HR functions in the Division. As a trusted advisor and business partner, the Senior Director provides strategic counsel to leaders to support people operations and human capital objectives. This role partners with division and institutional 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 Senior Director is responsible for implementing and managing HR policies, employee relations, talent management, diversity and inclusion initiatives, employee relations, compensation and payroll, and workforce development strategies. The Senior Director also supervises two full-time professional HR staff.

Responsibilities

Core areas of responsibility include strategic HR leadership and management, talent acquisition and retention, employee engagement and relations, performance management, DEI initiatives, and compensation and payroll administration.

Develops and executes a comprehensive HR strategy for the Arts and Humanities departments, ensuring alignment with the University\'s overall mission and strategic goals.

Develops workforce plans and implements succession planning initiatives. Collaborates with institutional leaders and department heads to identify staffing needs.

Conducts comprehensive division-wide assessment, evaluating the current state, identifying performance and operational gaps, and implementing targeted improvements to enhance staff performance and overall operational outcomes in collaboration with UChicago Learning and Organizational Development.

Adminiters 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 employee engagement.

Sets clear performance expectations, establishes goals, and conducts regular evaluations to monitor team progress and development.

Fosters a collaborative and supportive work environment by promoting open communication, teamwork, and shared decision-making among HR staff.

Ensures the HR team adheres to best practices, compliance regulations, and institutional policies while delivering high-quality services to faculty and staff in the Arts and Humanities departments.

Facilitates regular team meetings and check-ins to provide updates, gather feedback, and align on strategic priorities and ongoing projects.

Oversees recruitment efforts, including developing job descriptions, conducting interviews, ensuring compliance with diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) standards, and onboarding new hires.

Ensures training programs are effectively designed and implemented to foster new hire success and develop current emp oyees\' skills and knowledge, enhancing overall performance. Collaborates with department heads (Finance and Grant Services, Academic Affairs, Communications, etc.) to identify training needs, establish measurable objectives, and continuously monitor the effectiveness of training initiatives.

Faciliates monthly all-staff meetings and oversees annual HUM Staff Award Program.

Designs and implements talent management plans that focus on attracting, developing, and retaining top talent within the division.

Fosters a culture of continuous learning by developing/promoting professional development programs and career pathing initiatives for staff.

Conducts exit interviews. Develops strategies and initiatives aimed at addressing issues raised during exit interviews.

Leads the development and implementation of policies and practices that promote a positive, collaborative, and inclusive work environment.

Provides expertise in conflict resolution, employee relations, and mediation, ensuring that issues are addressed in a fair, consistent, and timely manner.

Oversees performance management processes, including evaluations, feedback mechanisms, and improvement plans, to support staff in achieving their professional goals.

Partners with DEI leade