Director, Human Resources

University of Florida•Gainesville, FL

14d

About The Position

The Director of Human Resources serves as the chief HR leader for the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences (CLAS), providing strategic direction and operational oversight for HR across a large, decentralized academic environment. This role functions as the primary HR advisor to the Dean and senior college leadership and ensures consistent, compliant, and high-quality HR practices across academic units. The Director leads and coordinates collegewide HR services and initiatives, including: Talent acquisition and onboarding support for faculty, TEAMS, postdoctoral associates, graduate assistants, and other employee groups Position management guidance, including position descriptions, classification support, organizational design, and reorganizations Compensation advising, including starting salary strategy, equity/retention considerations, special pay increases, reclassifications, and pay-related risk mitigation Oversight of designated HR/personnel transactions and approvals to ensure accuracy, funding alignment, documentation quality, and adherence to UF/CLAS requirements Performance management guidance and follow-through, including consultation, documentation standards, and process completion Employee relations support in coordination with UFHR/Employee Relations and General Counsel, including sensitive issue triage, fact-finding support, and resolution planning HR compliance and risk mitigation (e.g., work authorization/I-9 process coordination, EEO/AA considerations, policy adherence, documentation practices, and audit readiness) Process improvement, reporting, and training resources that strengthen HR service delivery and build consistent practices across units Support collegewide effort reporting readiness by coordinating guidance, training resources, and escalation pathways for Faculty Assignment Reports (FARs) and effort certification issues, in partnership with relevant central offices Immigration and international employment coordination, including consultation on hiring/appointment options for foreign nationals, sponsorship support and compliance, and partnership with the International Center and General Counsel as needed Academic personnel operations support, including coordination of the college’s technical review of promotion and tenure packets, tracking faculty probationary periods and extension requests in consultation with the Office of the Provost, and advising on non-standard academic appointments Talent development and succession planning support for HR and administrative roles across CLAS units, including coaching, tools, and resources that strengthen leadership capacity Participation in collegewide initiatives and business continuity/emergency planning as assigned; representation of CLAS HR in university committees and professional forums as appropriate The Director serves as the primary HR liaison between CLAS and UFHR, the Office of the Provost, the Office of the General Counsel, and other university partners, translating policy into practical guidance and ensuring timely implementation of university initiatives. The position exercises a high level of discretion and independent judgment, supervises HR staff in the Dean’s Office, and provides functional leadership and coordination support to HR and administrative partners across CLAS.

Requirements

Master’s degree in an appropriate area and six years of relevant experience; or a bachelor’s degree in an appropriate area and eight years of relevant experience.

Nice To Haves

Progressive HR leadership experience in a large, decentralized academic environment.
Demonstrated experience advising senior academic leadership on complex HR, employee relations, or faculty personnel matters.
Experience with UF HR policies, academic personnel processes, and HRIS (PeopleSoft and/or successor systems).
HR certification (SHRM-CP/SCP, PHR/SPHR) preferred.
Strong data/reporting skills and experience implementing process improvements across multiple units.
Excellent communication skills: active listening, empathy, approachable, accountable and open to feedback. Collaborative and tactful.
Discretion and sound judgment when handling confidential information and HR matters.

Responsibilities

Talent acquisition and onboarding support for faculty, TEAMS, postdoctoral associates, graduate assistants, and other employee groups
Position management guidance, including position descriptions, classification support, organizational design, and reorganizations
Compensation advising, including starting salary strategy, equity/retention considerations, special pay increases, reclassifications, and pay-related risk mitigation
Oversight of designated HR/personnel transactions and approvals to ensure accuracy, funding alignment, documentation quality, and adherence to UF/CLAS requirements
Performance management guidance and follow-through, including consultation, documentation standards, and process completion
Employee relations support in coordination with UFHR/Employee Relations and General Counsel, including sensitive issue triage, fact-finding support, and resolution planning
HR compliance and risk mitigation (e.g., work authorization/I-9 process coordination, EEO/AA considerations, policy adherence, documentation practices, and audit readiness)
Process improvement, reporting, and training resources that strengthen HR service delivery and build consistent practices across units
Support collegewide effort reporting readiness by coordinating guidance, training resources, and escalation pathways for Faculty Assignment Reports (FARs) and effort certification issues, in partnership with relevant central offices
Immigration and international employment coordination, including consultation on hiring/appointment options for foreign nationals, sponsorship support and compliance, and partnership with the International Center and General Counsel as needed
Academic personnel operations support, including coordination of the college’s technical review of promotion and tenure packets, tracking faculty probationary periods and extension requests in consultation with the Office of the Provost, and advising on non-standard academic appointments
Talent development and succession planning support for HR and administrative roles across CLAS units, including coaching, tools, and resources that strengthen leadership capacity
Participation in collegewide initiatives and business continuity/emergency planning as assigned; representation of CLAS HR in university committees and professional forums as appropriate