Director, HR Partners, Faculty of Arts & Sciences

Harvard University • Cambridge, MA

2h • Hybrid

About The Position

The Director, HR Partners provides strategic human resources consulting to an assigned portfolio of Faculty of Arts & Sciences departments and centers. The role advises leaders on complex employee relations matters, organizational design and development, change management, recruitment, compensation, learning and development, and diversity initiatives, while brokering additional HR services as needed.

The Director may serve as the senior HR partner for the portfolio, translating FAS and departmental strategies into HR priorities and plans. The role leads and develops a team of HR Partners and related staff, ensures consistent service delivery, manages complex issue escalation, and guides workforce planning, talent management, and organizational change.

The Director partners with Employee & Labor Relations and central HR teams, coordinates with the Executive Director and peer Director, HR Partners, and uses HR metrics to guide strategy and continuous improvement. The position is hybrid, with 2–3 days of on-site work in Cambridge, Massachusetts. The standard schedule is 35 hours per week.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Organizational Development, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• At least 10 years of progressively responsible HR experience, including substantial HR leadership experience in a complex, matrixed environment.
• Demonstrated experience leading HR staff, advising senior leaders, and managing complex HR issues across a portfolio of clients.
• Master’s degree or equivalent work experience.
• At least 10 years of relevant HR experience.
• Supervisory experience.
• Knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite and HRIS applications and analytics.
• Advanced functional knowledge of Human Resources policies and processes, and business acumen.
• Demonstrated experience administering bargaining unit policies and procedures.

Nice To Haves

• Experience in higher education or a research-intensive, faculty-based environment.
• Experience working with unionized staff and applying collective bargaining agreements.
• Advanced degree and/or HR certification, such as SPHR or SHRM-SCP.

Responsibilities

• Serve as a senior HR partner for an assigned portfolio of FAS departments and centers, advising chairs, directors of administration, and other leaders.
• Ensure strong HR service delivery across the portfolio and manage complex issue escalation.
• Translate FAS and departmental strategies into portfolio HR priorities and plans, including workforce planning, staffing models, and organizational design.
• Advise on talent needs, organizational changes, and workforce implications of academic or administrative initiatives.
• Lead, supervise, and develop a team of HR Partners and related staff.
• Set service expectations, distribute workload, and monitor the quality and consistency of HR support.
• Coach HR Partners on complex client issues, stakeholder management, and strategic consulting.
• Oversee support for recruitment strategies, workforce planning, succession planning, and retention.
• Guide HR Partners and leaders on performance management, career development, and staff engagement.
• Lead or support change management related to reorganizations, new programs, process changes, and leadership transitions.
• Collaborate with the FAS Director of Employee & Labor Relations on employee and labor relations issues, timely escalation, and consistent implementation of resolutions.
• Partner with central HR centers of expertise to deliver integrated HR solutions tailored to portfolio needs.
• Ensure HR Partners appropriately interpret and apply HR policies, procedures, and collective bargaining agreements in alignment with institutional standards.
• Work with the Executive Director to implement an FAS-wide HR strategy, service model, and standards of practice.
• Coordinate with the peer Director, HR Partners, to promote consistent approaches, share best practices, and address cross-portfolio issues.
• Provide the Executive Director with input on emerging portfolio needs, risks, and opportunities.
• Use HR metrics, including vacancies, turnover, diversity, engagement, and time-to-fill, to inform strategy and track outcomes.
• Identify trends and process improvements, and help implement enhancements to HRBP service delivery and HR processes.
• Contribute to FAS-wide HR initiatives and projects that improve systems, policies, and the employee experience.

Benefits

• Generous paid time off, including parental leave.
• Medical, dental, and vision health insurance coverage starting on day one.
• Retirement plans with university contributions.
• Wellbeing and mental health resources.
• Support for families and caregivers.
• Professional development opportunities, including tuition assistance and reimbursement.
• Commuter benefits, discounts, and campus perks.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior