Assistant HR Manager - Facilities Services - UTK

University of Tennessee • Knoxville, TN

263d • $65,000 - $70,000

About The Position

The Facilities Services Assistant HR Manager is responsible for overseeing and managing all human resources functions for the Facilities Services Department, which supports over 675 employees. This position provides expert guidance on recruitment, payroll, classification, and position management, ensuring compliance with departmental budgets and policies. A key responsibility of the Assistant HR Manager is leading recruitment efforts to attract and hire top talent for hard-to-fill and unique positions within the department, ensuring effective staffing. Additionally, the Assistant HR Manager serves as a liaison between Facilities Services and various University offices, including UTK Finance and Administration, the Office of Equity and Diversity, and the Human Resources Office. The position interprets and communicates HR policies and procedures to supervisors and provides direction on payroll and personnel issues. This role also manages employee career development initiatives, including Career Path progressions, performance evaluations, and leave applications, and supervises three HR staff members and one UT Student Assistant. Professionalism, discretion, and confidentiality are essential in carrying out these responsibilities.

Requirements

• High School Diploma or GED.
• Specialized work experience in Human Resources with at least five years in a Human Resources office environment which includes performing recruiting, hiring, and employee relations tasks; or a Bachelor's degree and two years specialized work experience in a similar Human Resources office environment may be substituted for work experience.
• At least one year of direct employee supervision including performance management is required.
• Strong knowledge of human resources principles and employment laws, including hiring, I-9, E-Verify, and Visa requirements.
• Ability to practice at a high level of confidentiality.
• Ability to analyze recruitment metrics and data to improve hiring processes and outcomes.
• Ability to supervise, foster team collaboration, and maintain confidentiality.
• Proficiency in HR systems (IRIS/SAP HR, Payroll transactions, KRONOS) and Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
• Excellent organization, time management, analytical, and communication skills.
• Ability to create job descriptions aligned with departmental goals and analyze recruitment data to improve processes.
• Strong interpersonal skills, with a focus on building relationships and fostering diversity and inclusion.

Responsibilities

• Oversee HR functions for over 675 employees, including exempt, non-exempt, temporary staff, and 60 student employees (Graduate Assistants included).
• Supervise staff in completing all personnel actions: new hires, rehires, transfers, pay changes, leave applications, payroll, and terminations, ensuring accuracy and compliance.
• Serve as subject matter expert and advisor on HR matters, providing guidance on policies and procedures.
• Ensure compliance with federal employment laws and university policies.
• Monitor salary allocations, review position assignments, and validate budget alignment for new positions or changes.
• Approve or reject position changes based on salary budget availability.
• Act as the central liaison between the FS Department and university offices on personnel and payroll matters.
• Compile, analyze, and provide HR-related data to leadership.
• Develop and provide HR-related training and guidance for department staff.
• Oversee temporary employee transitions to regular employment, ensuring compliance with one-year guidelines.
• Develop and implement recruitment strategies for all FS positions, including exempt, non-exempt, temporary, and student employees.
• Create, maintain, and update job descriptions to ensure accuracy, inclusivity, and alignment with department goals.
• Ensure job descriptions reflect career growth opportunities and comply with labor laws and anti-discrimination regulations.
• Oversee job postings, candidate sourcing, and application screening, ensuring compliance with university hiring policies.
• Lead recruitment efforts focused on access, belonging, and engagement.
• Attend job fairs and community events to recruit talent and develop pipelines with local institutions.
• Track and report recruitment metrics and report on key performance indicators (KPIs).
• Supervise three full-time employees and one student assistant, providing task allocation, guidance, and performance assessments.
• Identify training needs and professional development opportunities for the HR team.
• Establish processes aligned with UTK HR and UT System policies, ensuring adherence to regulations.
• Set departmental service standards and resolve escalated HR issues while fostering team independence and growth.
• Develop reports on Career Path and Custodial Certification Program (CCP) promotions, coordinating with Unit Directors and Central Administration.
• Ensure proper documentation and salary budget allocation for approved promotions.
• Serve as the hiring manager for UT Student Assistant and Graduate Assistant positions, approving hiring documents, I-9s, and Visa applications.
• Provide guidance on employee performance issues and facilitate discussions with Employee Relations as needed.
• Participate in or lead search committees and serve on university-wide committees as the FS Department representative.

Benefits

• Expected Starting Salary: $65,000-$70,000
• UT Market Range: MR11

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Industry: Educational Services
• Education Level: High school or GED