Assistant Director of Human Resources

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Why join Harvard Divinity School?

Harvard Divinity School (HDS) is a nonsectarian school of religious and theological studies that educates students both in the pursuit of the academic study of religion and in preparation for leadership in religious, governmental, and a wide range of service organizations. HDS provides an intellectual home where scholars and professionals from around the globe research and teach the varieties of religion, in service of a just world at peace across religious and cultural divides.

Job Summary:

Reporting to the Director of Human Resources, the Assistant Director of Human Resources serves as a senior HR consultant and advisor to HDS managers, faculty, administrators, and employees across a broad range of workforce matters.

The Assistant Director has primary responsibility for talent acquisition, performance and leadership development, job reviews and position management, and leaves and accommodations, and provides consultation and operational support in employee and labor relations. The position exercises independent judgment in assessing issues, developing recommendations, and determining when matters require escalation to the HR Director and University partners.

The Assistant Director supervises the Human Resources Coordinator and partners with the HR Director on organizational priorities, workforce planning, HR programs, and continuous improvement of the HDS HR function.

Job-Specific Responsibilities:

Talent Acquisition and Recruitment

• Lead full-cycle recruitment for HDS staff positions, serving as the primary HR advisor to hiring managers on staffing needs, position design, recruitment strategy, sourcing, candidate assessment, selection, and offers.
• Develop position-specific recruitment strategies, conduct candidate screening and interviews as appropriate, advise managers on effective and compliant selection practices, and develop salary offers in consultation with the HR Director and University partners.
• Partner with the Human Resources Coordinator on recruitment administration, candidate communications, background checks, onboarding, and related processes.
• Monitor recruitment activity and workforce trends and advise managers and the HR Director on retention, succession, anticipated staffing needs, and opportunities to improve HDS talent practices.

Performance Management, Leadership Development, and Manager Consultation

• Lead the annual HDS performance management process and advise managers and employees on performance planning, feedback, evaluations, professional development, and career development.
• Coach managers on performance management, including setting expectations, providing feedback, documentation, difficult conversations, and employee development.
• Build trusted relationships across HDS and proactively engage with managers and departments to understand workforce needs, provide consultation, and identify opportunities for HR support.
• Consult with managers on performance and workplace concerns, independently addressing routine and moderately complex matters and partnering with the HR Director on significant, sensitive, or higher-risk issues.
• Coordinate HDS participation in University leadership development programs, recommending employees based on development goals, readiness, and grade level, and connecting staff with other appropriate development resources.
• Partner with managers and the HR Director on organizational development, change management, workforce planning, and strategies that align HR practices with School priorities.

Job Reviews, Position Management, and Organizational Analysis

• Consult with managers on job reviews, reclassifications, position design, promotions, interim assignments, organizational changes, and other position-related matters.
• Conduct job and organizational analyses using responsibilities, reporting relationships, organizational context, internal comparators, and University classification guidance; advise managers on organizational structure, role clarity, alignment of work, and recommended position changes.
• Administer applicable contractual reclassification requirements for represented positions and support compensation, annual merit, and bonus processes in partnership with the HR Director and HR team.

Employee and Labor Relations

• Serve as an HR advisor to managers on employee relations matters, including performance, workplace expectations, employee concerns, policy interpretation, documentation, and problem resolution; independently address routine and moderately complex matters and partner with the HR Director on significant or higher-risk issues.
• Conduct or support workplace reviews and fact-finding and develop recommendations based on applicable policies, contractual requirements, and circumstances.
• Develop working knowledge of applicable collective bargaining agreements and, under the direction of the HR Director, support day-to-day implementation and administration of agreements affecting HDS employees, including HAW-UAW and HGSU-UAW.
• Coordinate with the Office of Academic Affairs and other HDS and University partners to translate contractual requirements into effective processes, guidance, training, tracking, and manager resources, including requirements affecting academic appointments and employment practices.
• Support labor-relations matters as they arise, coordinating with the HR Director and University Labor and Employee Relations as appropriate, and participate in University labor-relations and implementation initiatives as assigned.

Leaves and Accommodations

• Serve as the primary HDS HR resource for workplace accommodations, guiding employees and managers through established processes and coordinating implementation with appropriate University partners.
• Coordinate HR aspects of employee leaves in partnership with the HDS Payroll Manager, University leave administrators, managers, and employees.
• Provide guidance regarding leave and accommodation policies, documentation, timelines, return-to-work considerations, and applicable contractual requirements; maintain appropriate confidential documentation and identify complex or higher-risk matters requiring additional consultation.

HR Programs and Organizational Support

• Represent HDS HR on School and University committees, working groups, meetings, and initiatives as assigned; present HR information and facilitate discussions with staff, managers, and other audiences as appropriate.
• Translate University policies and employment requirements into practical HDS processes and resources and identify opportunities to streamline workflows and improve HR service delivery.
• Use workforce data, employee feedback, and HR metrics to identify trends and opportunities for improvement and partner with the HR Director on employee engagement, retention, organizational change, and other HR priorities.

HR Team Leadership and Operations

• Supervise, coach, and develop the Human Resources Coordinator, establishing priorities, providing feedback, supporting professional development, and conducting performance evaluations.
• Oversee and appropriately delegate HR operational responsibilities, including employee lifecycle transactions, recruitment administration, onboarding and offboarding, payroll support, records, reporting, compliance tracking, communications, and program coordination.
• Establish and continuously improve HR workflows, documentation, systems, reporting, and service expectations, providing consultation and problem resolution when operational matters require escalation.
• Partner with the HR Director on HR priorities, projects, and continuous improvement of the HR function and support continuity of HR operations in the Director's absence on designated matters.

Basic Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent work experience required. 
• Minimum of seven years of progressively responsible professional human resources experience, including experience advising managers on employee relations matters and working in a unionized environment. 
• Candidates wishing to be considered must supply a cover letter in addition to a resume.

Additional Qualifications and Skills:

• Demonstrated experience serving as an HR consultant or advisor to managers on complex workforce matters, with broad experience across multiple HR disciplines. 
• Experience interpreting or administering collective bargaining agreements or bargaining-unit policies and procedures. 
• Demonstrated ability to interpret complex policies, analyze issues, exercise sound judgment, develop recommendations, and determine appropriate escalation. 
• Strong business and organizational judgment and consultation, facilitation, presentation, project-management, written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills. 
• Demonstrated ability to build trusted relationships and work effectively across organizational boundaries with faculty, managers, employees, senior leaders, and University partners. 
• Experience supervising or providing functional leadership to staff; experience with HR systems, data, and reporting and in higher education or another complex, decentralized organization strongly preferred. 
• Master's degree, SPHR or SHRM-SCP certification, labor-relations training, or advanced coursework in human resources or a related field preferred. 
• *IMPORTANT NOTE: Your cover letter and resume should be combined into a SINGLE DOCUMENT under the resume tab. Cover letters are required for every position at Harvard Divinity School. We regret that the Harvard Divinity School does not provide Visa sponsorship.*

• Standard Hours/Schedule: 35 hours per week
• Visa Sponsorship Information: Harvard University is unable to provide visa sponsorship for this position
• Pre-Employment Screening: Identity, Education

Work Format Details

This position has been determined by school or unit leaders that some of the duties and responsibilities can be effectively performed at a non-Harvard location. The work schedule and location will be set by the department at its discretion and based upon operational needs. When not working at a Harvard or Harvard-designated location, employees in hybrid positions must work in a Harvard registered state in compliance with the University’s Policy on Employment Outside of Massachusetts. Additional details will be discussed during the interview process. Certain visa types and funding sources may limit work location. Individuals must meet work location sponsorship requirements prior to employment.

Salary Grade and Ranges

This position is salary grade level 058. Please visit  Harvard's Salary Ranges  to view the corresponding salary range and related information. 

Benefits

Harvard offers a comprehensive benefits package that is designed to support a healthy work-life balance and your physical, mental and financial wellbeing. Because here, you are what matters. Our benefits include, but are not limited to: 

• Generous paid time off including parental leave 
• Medical, dental, and vision health insurance coverage starting on day one 
• Retirement plans with university contributions 
• Wellbeing and mental health resources 
• Support for families and caregivers 
• Professional development opportunities including tuition assistance and reimbursement 
• Commuter benefits, discounts and campus perks 

Learn more about these and additional benefits on our Benefits & Wellbeing Page. 

EEO/Non-Discrimination Commitment Statement

Harvard University is committed to equal opportunity and non-discrimination. We seek talent from all parts of society and the world, and we strive to ensure everyone at Harvard thrives. Our differences help our community advance Harvard's academic purposes.

Harvard has an equal employment opportunity policy that outlines our commitment to prohibiting discrimination on the basis of race, ethnicity, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status, religion, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law or identified in the university's non-discrimination policy. Harvard's equal employment opportunity policy and non-discrimination policy help all community members participate fully in work and campus life free from harassment and discrimination.