• Job Type: Officer of Administration
• Regular/Temporary: Regular
• Hours Per Week: 35
• Salary Range: $100,000-$115,000

Position Summary

The Associate Director of Human Resources, working closely with the Senior Executive Director and the Associate Director of Human Resources and Finance, serves as a critical member of the leadership of the Office of Human Resources at the Columbia University School of International and Public Affairs (SIPA). The position is responsible for developing, managing and enforcing HR policies and processes focused on recruitment and onboarding, talent acquisition and management, performance management, compliance, leadership, employee training and development, and employee relations. The Associate Director plays a central role in data management and analysis to inform leadership decision-making and develops and implements DE&I initiatives and other goals as defined by the School's mission. The incumbent ensures compliance with federal, state, local, and University rules and regulations by staying abreast of HR regulations, policies, and laws. The position reports to the Senior Executive Director of HR and Finance.

At SIPA-the world's leading school of global policy-we are committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion. We work to cultivate these values in our practices, programs, and policies. We aim to create a workplace that celebrates the unique lived experiences of all our staff, students, and faculty. We are particularly interested in candidates who can contribute to the diversity and excellence of the School. Applicants are encouraged to include information in their cover letter about how they will further this goal.

Responsibilities

• Under the direction of the Senior Executive Director, serve as a critical resource for employees and managers on employment, benefits and payroll policies and procedures, employee relations, training, welfare and career development.
• Provide guidance on the provisions of relevant CBAs. Act as a liaison on behalf of SIPA employees with appropriate University offices. Maintain and expand knowledge and understanding of existing and proposed laws and Columbia University policies affecting human resource management.
• Work closely with the Senior Executive Director and the Associate Director of HR and Finance to identify trends and their potential impact on organizational objectives and/or operational resources.
• Interpret policies and advise management, employees, and retirees accordingly.
• Assist the Senior Executive Director with talent acquisition strategies including working with hiring units to assess recruitment goals, recommending ad placement strategies, analyzing salary ranges for posting, and other pre-posting processes.
• Advise and train hiring managers across SIPA's operational units and Centers and Institutes on recruitment processes, including the use of Talent Link functionality in the selection, review, and assessment of candidates. Assist with applicant reviews and screening. Facilitate collection and review of search data and preparation of affirmative action reports and hiring proposals. Work with the HR team on outreach to selectees on conditional and final offers and background check procedures to ensure efficient completion of the same.
• Work closely with the Senior Executive Director on the School's performance appraisal process, including the annual goal setting and performance review processes; promote the use of SMART goals in defining performance expectations.
• Develop and implement employee recognition programs, and 30- and 60-day outreach processes for new recruits to promote community building and inclusive practices, etc.
• Troubleshoot, research, and prepare reports on performance issues, and implement strategies for their resolution. Assist in conducting internal investigations. Address union grievances and related actions. Liaise with the CU Labor Relations, General Counsel, Leave Management, and Work-Life Offices.
• Manage SIPA's onboarding, orientation, and offboarding processes for administrative personnel and temp staffing. Develop PowerPoint presentations and other materials for new recruits. Advise new recruits on available training and access to Columbia University systems.
• Facilitate systems access requests for SIPA and Institute/Center administrators. Develop and maintain effective business communications and workflows with various School and external units such as SIPAIT, Temp Staffing and others to ensure an efficient and seamless onboarding and offboarding experience for staff. Works with the Senior Executive Director on administering exit interviews.
• Work closely with the Senior Executive Director and the Associate Director of HR and Finance to develop and enhance the School's Human Resources webpage. Review existing information/data on the site, consult best practices at peer institutions, and develop and upload new content and enhanced site mapping in coordination with other HR team members. Develop, review, and improve training and systems access information on the School's website.
• Maintain a library of essential HR metrics and records including organization charts and employee directories, etc.
• Reconcile and analyze compensation, recruitment timelines and tools, staff turnover and retention rates, and other data points.
• Recommend new approaches, policies, and procedures to effect continual improvements in the efficiency of the unit.
• Oversee accurate scanning and archiving of all personnel, performance, and search files. Produce statistical and progress reports for the Senior Executive Director across areas of responsibility. Work collaboratively with the Associate Director of HR and Finance on providing direction and scope for these data management and analysis efforts.
• Supervise a full-time Senior HR Coordinator and student workers and temps as needed.
• Perform related duties as requested.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required and a minimum of 4-6 years of full-time professional experience in human resources administration in higher education, or a similar complex HR environment.
• Prior experience working with collective bargaining agreements and unionized staff, and thorough familiarity with personal and medical leaves, FMLA, NYSL and PFL provisions, and salary continuation policies.
• Significant prior experience in managing and directing professional staff.
• Significant prior experience with PeopleSoft or similar HRIS applications.
• Demonstrated ability to generate innovative ideas for process, departmental, and organizational improvements.
• Passion for excellent customer service based on courteous communication and commitment to exceptional quality. Must have a deep commitment to valuing diversity and contributing to an inclusive working and learning environment.
• Exceptional interpersonal, presentation, communication and writing skills as well as excellent analytical and problem-solving abilities.
• Must be highly organized with extreme attention to detail and be able to effectively handle and prioritize multiple tasks, often with conflicting deadlines.
• Must work well under pressure and have the ability to function independently and exercise discretion and judgment in sensitive and confidential matters. Must be resourceful in cultivating HR contacts to facilitate effective resolution of HR operational issues as they arise.
• Must be committed to teamwork and collegial and collaborative relations with team members.
• Thorough familiarity with Microsoft Office essential, especially Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Visio.

Preferred Qualifications

• Additional years of directly related HR administration experience, especially in a higher education setting.
• Master's degree in a related field, such as higher education administration or human resources administration.