Assistant Director of Human Resources

The Assistant Director of Human Resources provides operational and administrative support for the day-to-day functions of Highland Community College's Human Resources Office. Reporting to and working closely with the Director of Human Resources, the Assistant Director helps ensure that the College attracts, develops, supports, and retains a talented workforce while maintaining effective, consistent, and legally compliant human resources practices.  This position plays a key role in Highland Community College’s Title III Strengthening Institutions Program and the College’s broader commitment to improving educational access and student success throughout its rural service area.

This position serves as a trusted resource for employees and supervisors across the College and assists with recruitment, onboarding, employee relations, benefits administration, compensation, performance management, policy administration, HR information systems, training, and regulatory compliance. The Assistant Director is expected to exercise sound judgment, maintain confidentiality, provide exceptional service, and contribute to a workplace culture consistent with the College’s mission and One Highland strategic plan. 

Grant-Funded Position

This position is supported by in whole or in part through Title III Grant funding and is contingent upon the continued availability of grant funding.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following:

Title III Grant:

• Coordinate the development, review, and maintenance of position descriptions associated with Title III-funded initiatives and related institutional activities.
• Assist with the classification, evaluation, and recruitment of new positions created to support grant objectives and institutional priorities.
• Assess organizational training and professional development needs in support of Title III goals and institutional effectiveness.
• Support workforce development and change-management efforts associated with the implementation of Title III initiatives.
• Collaborate with project leadership to ensure human resource strategies align with grant objectives, sustainability planning, and institutional priorities. Maintain documentation and assist with reporting activities related to personnel, training outcomes, and grant compliance.
• Perform other duties as assigned in support of Title III goals and institutional priorities.
• Reports to the Director of Human Resources at Highland
• Community College.

College Human Resources:

• Assist with the coordination of recruitment, hiring, onboarding, and orientation processes for faculty, staff, and administrative employees.
• Assist supervisors with job descriptions, position postings, applicant screening, interviews, reference checks, and other hiring activities.
• Serve as a resource to employees and supervisors regarding HR policies, procedures, workplace expectations, and employment-related questions.
• Assist the Director of Human Resources with employee relations, workplace investigations, conflict resolution, performance concerns, corrective action, and other personnel matters.
• Develop, coordinate, and support professional development, supervisory training, employee engagement, recognition, and retention initiatives.
• Maintain accurate and confidential personnel records, employment documentation, and HR information systems.
• Assist with the preparation of workforce reports, personnel data, employment metrics, and other HR information to support institutional decision-making.
• Assist with the development, interpretation, implementation, and communication of College personnel policies and procedures.
• Assist Director of Human Resources with compliance with applicable employment laws and regulations, including FLSA, FMLA, ADA, Title VII, Title IX, workers’ compensation, and equal employment opportunity requirements.
• Identify opportunities to improve HR processes, technology, communication, and the overall employee experience.
• Perform other related duties as required or assigned.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

This position does not currently have direct supervisory responsibilities but may provide functional leadership, training, and guidance to employees and supervisors across the College.

​​​​​​​

QUALIFICATIONS  To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below 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.

Required:

• Bachelor's degree.
• A minimum of three (3) years of progressively responsible human resources or personnel administration experience.
• Demonstrated experience in employee training, talent development, position classification, or workforce planning.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to collaborate effectively across multiple campuses and online environments.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and exercise sound judgment.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities while maintaining a high level of professionalism and attention to detail.
• Ability to travel among College locations and occasionally work outside normal business hours.

Preferred:

• Master's degree in human resources, business administration, organizational leadership, higher education administration, or a related field.
• Higher education/public-sector HR experience.
• SHRM-CP, PHR, or other professional HR certification.
• Experience with benefits, employee relations, compensation, HRIS, training, or employment compliance.

Language Skills

Excellent oral and written communication skills required. Ability to read, analyze, and interpret complex documents. Ability to respond effectively to the most sensitive inquiries or complaints.

Mathematical Skills

The ability to work accurately with compensation, benefits, percentages, payroll-related calculations, and workforce data.

Reasoning Ability

Ability to interpret employment policies and regulations, investigate issues, analyze information, exercise sound judgment, and recommend practical solutions.

            Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge of contemporary human resources practices and employment regulations.
• Strong judgment and discretion when working with sensitive personnel matters.
• Ability to communicate difficult or complex information with professionalism and empathy.
• Ability to establish credibility and productive relationships with employees at all levels of the institution.
• A collaborative approach while maintaining appropriate independence and professional judgment.
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to accurate documentation.
• Ability to analyze problems, identify practical solutions, and recommend improvements.
• A service-oriented mindset and commitment to creating a positive employee experience.
• Ability to adapt to changing institutional priorities and assume additional responsibility when necessary.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS  While performing the duties of this position, the employee is regularly required to communicate, remain stationary for periods of time, and operate standard office equipment. The employee may occasionally be required to move or lift materials weighing up to 20 pounds. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

WORK ENVIRONMENT  The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The work environment is primarily a professional office setting. The position requires regular interaction with employees, supervisors, applicants, and members of the public and occasional travel among College locations.