Associate Director of Human Resources

St. Olaf College•Northfield, MN

About The Position

The Associate Director of Human Resources provides leadership across recruitment, employee relations, performance management, employee engagement and retention, and student employment administration. The role serves as second-in-command to the Director of Human Resources, overseeing day-to-day departmental operations and providing leadership in the Director’s absence. It supervises the Recruiter and Student Employment Coordinator and works with College leaders, supervisors, employees, and campus partners to support effective, consistent employment practices.

Responsibilities

Provide leadership and oversight of staff recruitment and hiring, partnering with hiring managers and College leadership on staffing needs, recruitment strategies, and hiring decisions.
Supervise and collaborate with the Recruiter to evaluate and improve recruitment processes, including use of Oracle Recruiting; advise hiring managers on recruitment, candidate evaluation, selection, and hiring procedures.
Work with the Director on workforce planning, staffing priorities, and recruitment challenges requiring broader institutional consideration.
Serve as a primary HR resource to employees and supervisors on workplace concerns, employee relations, and College policies.
Conduct confidential workplace investigations, document findings, and recommend actions consistent with College policies and applicable employment laws.
Advise supervisors on employee performance and conduct matters, including coaching, corrective action, discipline, separations, conflict resolution, and workplace communication.
Identify employee relations trends and recommend proactive strategies; collaborate with General Counsel on significant disciplinary actions, sensitive investigations, complex employment matters, and decisions involving institutional risk.
Lead and continuously improve the College’s performance management program, including annual evaluations, goal setting, ongoing feedback, and employee development.
Provide supervisors with guidance, resources, and training on performance expectations, feedback, and performance concerns; monitor program completion and effectiveness.
Develop and implement initiatives to strengthen employee engagement, workplace culture, job satisfaction, and retention.
Collaborate with campus partners and supervisors to improve the employee experience, team effectiveness, morale, and workplace relationships; review exit interview feedback and retention data and recommend solutions.
Supervise the Student Employment Coordinator and oversee Human Resources administration of student employment processes.
Support improvements to student employment policies, procedures, systems, services, workflows, and supervisor resources; collaborate with the Piper Center, Payroll, Finance, and Information Technology.
Ensure student employment practices align with employment laws, College policies, and institutional priorities; escalate significant policy, compliance, or resource concerns to the Director.
Serve as second-in-command to the Director and oversee day-to-day departmental operations, including coordinating workflows and monitoring operational priorities.
Supervise, coach, and evaluate designated HR staff, fostering accountability, collaboration, and effective service delivery.
Provide day-to-day leadership in the Director’s absence and ensure continuity of services and appropriate escalation of sensitive or high-impact matters.
Assist the Director in implementing departmental goals, policies, programs, and strategic initiatives.
Partner with HR staff and campus departments to resolve operational challenges and improve HR systems and processes.
Support the development of HR procedures, training resources, and communications promoting consistent employment practices; advise HR team members on complex operational questions and cross-functional issues.