Academic Affairs Specialist

Posted 3 Days Ago
Be an Early Applicant
Allendale, MI, USA
In-Office
63K-63K Annually
Junior
Professional Services
The Role
Manages Academic Affairs hiring and HR processes, maintains accurate Workday records, supports policy and procedure development, prepares reports, coordinates merit reviews, verifies faculty appointments and promotions, and liaises among the Provost’s Office, colleges, and Human Resources. The role also leads coordination meetings, supports faculty onboarding, monitors degree documentation, and ensures compliance with HR and academic policies.
Summary Generated by Built In
This position serves as the primary liaison on processes between the Provost’s Office, colleges, and Human Resources. This role manages hiring at the Provost Office level in Academic Affairs, advises leadership on policy development, participates in the Merit Review team and verifies that employee records in Workday are accurate and consistent across Academic Affairs. This position works collaboratively with the leadership team of each college and their support staff to ensure efficient, consistent, and effective human resources operations within Academic Affairs.
Salary & Benefits:
Minimum starting salary of $63,000, commensurate with experience
Comprehensive benefits package including medical, vision, dental, life insurance, generous employer retirement contributions, wellness resources and tuition waiver effective on date of hire.

PRIMARY DUTIES

1.    Manage the hiring processes between Academic Affairs and HR.
2.    Ensure accuracy and integrity of information between departmental and university HR systems (i.e., Workday) via established reconciliation procedures and reporting. 
3.    Advise on the development and implementation of policies, procedures, and programs related to the continuous improvement of Academic Affairs HR processes in connection with the University mission, values, and goals. Recommend systems and procedures for internal controls as necessary.
4.    Design, maintain and prepare reports and comply with requests for information and audit processes. 
5.    Evaluate the consistency of merit across colleges and identify how to best use limited resources to correct market and compression issues within and across units as a member of the Academic Affairs merit process team. 
6.    Lead the collaborative monthly meetings between the Provost’s Office, Academic Affairs support staff, and HR.
7.    Review regular and affiliate faculty appointment letters, contract renewals, promotions, and tenure decisions for compliance with Academic Affairs and HR policy. Then update academic appointments in Workday.
8.    Maintain hiring data, sharing relevant information with Pew Faculty Teaching and Learning Center (FTLC) for faculty orientation and with IT for computer orders. 
9.    Monitor the completion and documentation of terminal degrees for ABD faculty hires within the required timeframe. 
10.    Serve on University committees as requested.
11.    Perform other duties as required/assigned by leadership.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

  • Bachelor’s degree and a minimum of two (2) years’ related experience.
  • Experience with implementing and interpreting HR processes for hiring, terminations, and pay raises. Attention to detail.
  • Outstanding organizational skills and the ability to complete projects on a timely basis and manage multiple priorities.
  • Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to interact with students, faculty, and staff.
  • Effective oral and written communication.
  • Proficient with Microsoft Office.
  • Experience working HR functions within an Enterprise Resource Program 

PREFERRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

  • Experience in higher education.
  • Workday experience with HR processes
  • Experience training others in processes in a corporate/higher ed environment

How to Apply: 

Attach your cover letter and resume, these documents are required and applications missing required documents will not be considered . The system will allow you to attach these documents electronically. If you have questions about the position or the posting, please contact Paul Isely ([email protected]).  If you need technical assistance, please contact Human Resources at [email protected]. 

Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States and must not require sponsorship now or in the future. 

 

Application Deadline: 

Application review begins Monday September 15, 2026, and this posting may be closed at any time at the discretion of the University. 

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily.  Must have the physical stamina to work long hours and/or more than 5 days per week.  The requirements listed are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The information contained in this job description is for compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act as amended by the ADA Amendment Act (2008), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and other applicable federal and state laws that prohibit discrimination on the basis of disability. GVSU will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request. See www.gvsu.edu/equalopportunity/. TDD Callers: Call Michigan Relay Center at 711 (in State) or 1-800-833-7833 (out of State).

 

Grand Valley State University is an Antidiscrimination/Equal Opportunity Employer, which includes providing equal opportunity for protected veterans and individuals with disabilities. University policy extends protections to additional identities.

Skills Required

  • Bachelor's degree
  • At least two years of related experience
  • Experience implementing and interpreting HR processes for hiring, terminations, and pay raises
  • Strong attention to detail
  • Outstanding organizational skills and ability to manage multiple priorities and complete projects on time
  • Excellent interpersonal skills for interacting with students, faculty, and staff
  • Effective oral and written communication skills
  • Proficiency with Microsoft Office
  • Experience performing HR functions within an Enterprise Resource Planning program
  • Experience in higher education
  • Workday experience with HR processes
  • Experience training others on processes in a corporate or higher education environment
  • Legally authorized to work in the United States without requiring sponsorship now or in the future
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The Company
HQ: Allendale, MI
4,000 Employees
Year Founded: 1960

What We Do

Grand Valley State University is a public university based in Allendale, Michigan, that offers over 350 undergraduate and graduate programs, combining rigorous academics with hands-on learning.

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