The Associate Director of Human Resources serves as the deputy to the Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO) and provides strategic oversight of the University's HR Operations, Benefits, and Compensation functions. This position plays a central leadership role in aligning HR practices with institutional goals, ensuring regulatory compliance, and fostering a culture of service, collaboration, and accountability. The Associate Director works closely with the CHRO and HR leadership team to guide policy development, supervise key HR managers, and ensure that all HR programs and services are administered consistently, efficiently, and in accordance with University policy and applicable law. This position functions as the primary escalation point for complex HR issues and supports the development of an inclusive and responsive workplace culture. Salary: $82,003-$86,320; 37.5/hours Essential Functions: 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 Supervision: 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 HR Operations: 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 Benefits and Compensation Oversight: 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 Talen Acquisition and Workforce Planning: 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 Complaince and Reporting: 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 HRIS Governance: 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 Data Analytics: 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 Employee Learning & Development: 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 International Employees: 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 Employee Support: 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 Other Duties & Responsiblities: 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