Senior Human Resources Business Partner

The department of Human Resources invites applicants to apply for the Sr. Human Resources Business Partner- Athletics role. This position partners closely with departmental leadership to align human resources strategies with organizational objectives and provides comprehensive support in the areas of employee relations, workforce planning, talent acquisition, compensation, benefits, organizational development, performance management, and compliance. 

Initial Screening begins Friday, June 12, 2026 and will occur every Friday thereafter until filled. 

Responsibilities

• Serves as the designated point of contact for the Athletics Division and other specific and assigned University departments, as necessary. Conducts routine meetings with respective business units, including the general employee population and management, to assist clients in meeting/exceeding their strategic objectives and assist with HR-related issues or concerns. Communicates university-wide HR initiatives and secures buy-in from customers. Develops champions for HR initiatives. Seeks feedback on all HR processes, procedures, and initiatives and recommends new approaches, policies, and procedures to HR leadership in efforts to continually improve service and efficiency to the departments they service serve change management initiatives for successful implementation. Provides the appropriate guidance to leadership staff. 
• Establishes and continuously assesses the effectiveness of the internal controls within the unit and compliance with the University, NCAA, department, rules, policies, and procedures related to HR. Generates and analyzes reports and recommends solutions, trends, and metrics for -their specific campus areas of responsibility. 
• Assists department with its workforce planning needs and leads the departmental succession planning process. Conducts recruitment efforts for employees including faculty, staff and temporary employees. Partners with departments on recruitment processes including assisting with job description development and revisions, creating and monitoring job postings and advertisements, and reviewing and negotiating salary offers and promotions. Works closely with Athletics leadership and Legal Counsel on items related to employment contract terms. 
• Serves as liaison for Athletics Leadership and HR Leadership in the development and creation of an Athletics Compensation Plan, ongoing review, classification, and organizational structure of the Athletics Department. Has an excellent understanding of the university’s objectives, issues, needs, and key success factors to make recommendations for HR initiatives. Conducts market analysis and provides compensation recommendations. Assists employees with career pathing and monitors their progress. 
• Provides benefits and retirement counseling, benefit programs enrollment assistance, claims resolution, reports status changes, and communicates with employees on new benefits and/or changes to existing plans and coverages. Guides employees on Workers’ Compensation issues and monitors their return to work. Assists with the overall leave process for employees within their areas of responsibility. 
• Responds to employee relations issues through policies, procedures, and university, practices. Performs employee relations counseling sessions, conflict resolution meetings, thorough complaint investigations, and develops investigative reports. Works closely with management and employees to improve working relationships, build morale and engagement opportunities, and increase productivity and retention. Interacts with Employee Relations and Compliance to maintain consistency throughout the University in the application of discipline before meeting with the employee’s supervisor to determine appropriate discipline. Represents management in investigating, answering, and settling grievances, by arranging grievance hearings between personnel, supervisor, and management. Performs stay and exit interviews with employees to develop engagement programs that increase employee retention. Responds to the University’s exit interview reports as they relate to the workforce environment and plan and execute appropriate actions to improve teamwork and employee satisfaction. Coordinates the performance management process and the completion of performance evaluations, departmental goals, and employee professional development plans.
• In collaboration with the department’s manager/supervisor, identifies necessary training based on the department’s needs and the employees’ learning and professional development needs. Facilitates and/or coordinates needed training sessions with HR’s Engagement, Learning, and Development area which may include orientation for business units and/or specific individuals on an off-cycle basis. Promotes and maintains compliance with federal, state, and local employment and benefits laws and regulations. 
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree and a minimum of six (6) years of HR experience, preferably working with an athletics division within a university environment OR a Master's degree and a minimum of four (4) years of HR experience. 

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Comprehensive knowledge of human resources principles, practices, and employment laws.
• Excellent verbal, written, presentation, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Ability to serve as a trusted advisor and strategic partner to department leadership and employees.
• Ability to interpret, apply, and communicate complex policies, procedures, employment laws, and regulations.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and exercise sound judgment in sensitive situations.
• Ability to establish priorities, work independently, and manage multiple complex assignments simultaneously.

Applicants must be authorized to work in the U.S. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment visa at this time.

About UsThe University of Memphis is a leading, student-centered, urban public R1 research institution. Located in Memphis, Tennessee, on 1,160 acres. The University serves a population of nearly 20,000 students and 2,500 employees, including more than 1,000 full-time faculty members. The University offers bachelor’s degrees in more than 230 areas of study, master’s degrees in more than 50 subjects and doctoral degrees in 26 disciplines; supported an institutional record of more than $100 million in research awards for FY24; and has an operating budget of close to $500 million.