Alfred University · 3 weeks ago
Associate Director of Human Resources
Alfred, NY
Full-time
Onsite
Lead/Staff, Director/Executive
5+ years expAlfred University is a historic institution committed to independent thinking and social justice. The Associate Director of Human Resources will provide strategic oversight of HR operations, benefits, and compensation, while ensuring alignment with institutional goals and fostering a collaborative workplace culture.
EducationHigher EducationUniversities
Responsibilities
Serve as deputy to the CHRO, providing leadership and strategic direction for the Human Resources Department
Partner with the CHRO in the development and execution of strategic HR initiatives aligned with institutional priorities
Oversee departmental performance metrics, identifying opportunities for improvement and implementing best practices
Ensure that HR policies, programs, and services are designed to enhance organizational effectiveness and employee experience
Collaborate with University leadership to ensure HR strategies support workforce planning, employee retention, and institutional growth
Provide direct supervision, coaching, and leadership to the HR Manager and the HR management staff
Ensure communication, collaboration, and consistency across HR Operations, Benefits, Compensation, and Payroll
Conduct regular leadership meetings with HR management staff to review priorities, performance, and emerging issues
Provide mentorship and development opportunities for HR staff, ensuring accountability and continuous professional growth
Serve as the escalation point for complex employee relations cases, leave disputes, or compliance concerns raised by HR leadership
Provide oversight of HR Operations as managed by the HR Manager, ensuring processes related to recruitment, onboarding, and employee engagement are efficient, equitable, and compliant
Ensure that HR policies and procedures are consistently implemented across departments and aligned with University objectives
Oversee position control, classification, and compensation recommendations from HR Operations
Support consistency in performance management practices and provide guidance on supervisor training and documentation standards
Review and approve recommendations from HR leadership regarding position changes, employee classifications, and pay adjustments
Administer employee benefits programs, including health insurance, retirement plans, and other employee perks
Administers various leave programs (FMLA, PFL, Short Term Disability, Long Term Disability, and Workers Compensation) for all University employees
Provide leadership and strategic direction to the Benefits and Compensation function, ensuring programs remain compliant, equitable, and aligned with institutional goals
Partner with the CHRO to evaluate, design, and implement competitive total rewards strategies that attract and retain talent
Oversee the annual benefits renewal process, including vendor evaluations and cost analyses
Ensure compensation structures are consistently applied and reflective of market and internal equity standards
Serve as an escalation point for complex benefits and compensation issues requiring leadership review
Oversee recruitment strategies, workforce planning, and succession management activities executed by the HR Manager
Partner with the CHRO and HR leadership to ensure hiring processes reflect best practices, promote diversity, and meet institutional needs
Review hiring metrics, time-to-fill, and applicant flow data to identify trends and ensure equity in the recruitment process
Evaluate staffing models and recommend adjustments to support operational efficiency and budget alignment
Support senior leadership in strategic workforce planning and organizational development initiatives
Ensure University-wide compliance with federal and state employment laws, including FLSA, FMLA, ADA, and EEO
Oversee the preparation and submission of required federal and state reports, including IPEDS, EE0-1, and Affirmative Action documentation
Review outcomes of annual compliance training administered by the Benefits and Training Specialist and integrated into HR Operations by the HR Manager
Maintain and update HR policies to align with legal requirements and best practices
Prepare and submit required reports and documentation to internal and external agencies
Oversees the HRIS (Human Resources Information System) and other HR technology solutions to streamline HR processes and improve efficiency. Acts as functional area expert for Human Resources
Provides strategic oversight for HRIS governance, ensuring data integrity and system functionality support institutional goals
Partners with the HR Manager to maintain workflow alignment, audit readiness, and integration across HR, Benefits, and Payroll systems
Defines standards for HR data accuracy, reporting cadence, and access controls in collaboration with IT and the Payroll Supervisor
Reviews and approves configuration changes, upgrades, and security roles to ensure compliance with regulatory and institutional policies
Oversees HR data reporting to senior leadership, ensuring consistency with workforce analytics and compliance requirements
Oversee the development of HR metrics and dashboards to support data-driven decision-making
Analyze trends in recruitment, retention, compensation, and turnover to inform strategic planning
Collaborate with HR leadership to ensure data accuracy and integrity across HRIS, benefits, and payroll systems
Present HR reports and insights to the CHRO and University leadership as requested
Coordinate training and development programs to enhance employee skills and knowledge
Implement initiatives to promote employee engagement, retention, and professional growth
Collaborate with other departments to support organizational initiatives and promote a positive work culture
Provide strategic oversight of employee learning and development programs coordinated by HR Operations and the HR Specialist
Ensure training initiatives-including search committee, compliance, and leadership development programs-meet institutional and legal standards
Evaluate the effectiveness of HR training programs and recommend enhancements to address evolving workforce needs
Support leadership development initiatives and promote a culture of continuous learning
Serves as the Alternate Responsible Officer for SEVIS for our Exchange Visitor Program. Must be thoroughly familiar with the Exchange Visitor Program regulations, relevant immigration laws, and all federal and state regulations and laws pertaining to the administration of their exchange visitor program(s), including the Department of State's and the Department of Homeland Security's policies, manuals, instructions, and guidance on SEVIS and all other operations relevant to the Exchange Visitor Program
Coordinates H-1B Visa Processing with our external legal firm
Serves as the main point of contact for employees on H-lB visas, providing guidance and assistance throughout the visa application process, as well as addressing any concerns or questions related to immigration status
Demonstrates professionalism, discretion, and respect in all interactions
Supports and assists in creating intersections and pathways for faculty, staff and students that will assist in transforming people's lives
Supports and assists in creating an evolving culture of connection, mentoring and rich engagement opportunities for faculty, staff, and students
Maintains a commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging, and a high degree of cultural competence and respect for a wide range of identities and experiences, therefore welcoming and supporting all faculty, staff and students and expanding access to the AU experience
Maintains a safe working environment within and around their facilities and associated equipment and supplies including, but not limited to, obtaining Safety Data Sheet (SDS) information pertaining to any hazards associated with their work environment
Participates in all required assigned training, including safety training and will comply with safety rules, regulations, and protocols
Effective written and oral communication skills
Contributes to the overall success of the University by performing other duties as assigned
Qualification
Required
Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or related field
Minimum of five years of progressive experience in human resources including significant responsibility for HR operations, employee relations, and compliance in a complex organization
Minimum of three years of supervisory experience leading professional HR staff or managing multiple HR functions
Demonstrated ability to provide strategic oversight of HR information systems, ensuring data governance, compliance, and operational alignment across HR functions
Demonstrated ability to mentor and develop managers and staff, foster accountability, and build a culture of collaboration and service
Proven success in partnering with senior leadership to align HR strategy with institutional goals and to lead change initiatives
Strong understanding of federal and state employment laws and regulations; experience applying them in higher education or similar settings
Proficiency with HRIS platforms and other HR technology solutions; ability to analyze and present HR data for decision-making
Excellent communication, consultation, and relationship-building abilities with a demonstrated commitment to equity, inclusion, and organizational effectiveness
Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
High level of integrity, discretion, and sound judgment; able to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment while maintaining accuracy and composure
Preferred
Master's degree or HR certification (e.g., SHRM-CP, SHRM-SCP, PHR, SPHR)
Benefits
Health insurance
Retirement plans
Other employee perks
Company
Alfred University
Alfred University is a school in Alfred.
501-1000 employees
H1B Sponsorship
Alfred University has a track record of offering H1B sponsorships. Please note that this does not
guarantee sponsorship for this specific role. Below presents additional info for your
reference. (Data Powered by US Department of Labor)
Distribution of Different Job Fields Receiving Sponsorship
Represents job field similar to this job
Trends of Total Sponsorships
2025 (8)
2024 (9)
2023 (5)
2022 (2)
2021 (6)
2020 (4)
Funding
Current Stage
Late StageTotal Funding
$4.65MKey Investors
U.S. Department of EducationFuzeHub
2023-05-03Grant· $4.6M
2022-04-13Grant· $0.05M
Leadership Team
Holly Shulman
Professor
John Simmins
Director, Alfred University - GE Vernova Advanced Power Grid Lab
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