Human Resources - Director for Faculty Affairs

Sacred Heart University • Fairfield, CT

148d

About The Position

The Human Resources Director for Faculty Affairs has a strong background in human resources and plays a crucial role in supporting the academic mission of Sacred Heart University. The incumbent is a member of the Academic Affairs Leadership Council (AALC) and is responsible for overseeing all aspects of faculty affairs, ensuring the recruitment and retention of a highly qualified and diverse faculty body. The Human Resources Director for Faculty Affairs collaborates with various stakeholders, including academic departments, faculty committees, and university administration, to foster a positive and inclusive academic environment that promotes teaching excellence, research productivity, and faculty growth.

Requirements

• A bachelor’s or master’s degree in human resources, business administration, or a related field, or equivalent experience.
• Extensive knowledge (10+ years) and experience in human resources management, preferably in a higher education or academic setting.
• Strong leadership and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work effectively with diverse stakeholders.
• Excellent organizational and project management skills, including the ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines in a timely manner.
• Effective communication skills, both written and verbal, with the ability to articulate complex ideas clearly and concisely.
• Commitment to promoting and supporting the mission of the University and the Office of Inclusive Excellence.
• Knowledge of employment laws and practices, including but not limited to Title VI, VII, Title IX, ERISA, EEO, FMLA, and ADA.
• Strong computer skills with a focus on Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint) in a Windows-based environment.
• Experience with Dayforce and Watermark’s Faculty Success and Workflow modules is ideal.
• Evidence of the practice of high levels of confidentiality and discretion.

Responsibilities

• Provides counsel to the Provost and members of the AALC on all faculty-related personnel matters.
• Collaborates with University leadership to align faculty affairs initiatives with the institution’s strategic goals and priorities.
• Provides leadership in identifying emerging trends and best practices in faculty recruitment and retention.
• Supervises the Faculty Affairs Coordinator, who is responsible for operational activities including onboarding all new faculty, maintaining the HRIS database for faculty, supporting faculty recruitment processes, managing the adjunct and overload payroll process, and coordinating with payroll to ensure all faculty are paid properly.
• As ex officio member of the Faculty Handbook and Governance Committee, lead the ongoing review, revision, and implementation of changes to the Faculty Handbook and the shared governance structure.
• Works closely with the shared governance (currently University Academic Assembly (UAA)) officers and committees to maintain productive, positive relationships and open lines of communication.
• Collaborates with the Office for Inclusive Excellence to continually strive to create an inclusive environment for faculty via policies, procedures, and processes related to faculty, to reflect SHU’s commitment to inclusivity.
• Collaborates with Academic Affairs senior leaders, deans, associate deans, and stakeholders in matters related to faculty personnel, interpreting provisions of the Faculty Handbook, SHU Human Resources Policies as they apply to faculty, and other related areas crucial to achieving University goals and objectives.
• Provide HR support to Academic Affairs leadership searches conducted through retained search firms and as assigned.
• Collaborate with academic departments to identify faculty needs and job ads, ensuring compliance with university policies and relevant regulations throughout the search process.
• Provide search committee training and support.
• Oversees the implementation of all faculty personnel processes, policies, and procedures.
• Provides leadership to revise or develop new faculty personnel processes, policies, and procedures consistent with the mission and strategic goals of Human Resources, the Academic Affairs division, the University, and maintains compliance with Federal and State employment laws.
• Partners with appropriate Human Resources partners to provide oversight over all personnel processes related to faculty, academic affairs administrators, and staff within the Academic Affairs Division.
• Participates in Title VII and IX complaints/investigations as they relate to faculty.
• Oversees employee relations matters related to faculty, including performance improvement, corrective action, grievances, termination, and/or layoffs.
• Coordinates with the university appointed immigration attorney to submit applications for working visas and permanent residence for faculty who require work authorization.
• Implements smooth termination processes for resignations and negotiated terminations of faculty members.
• Provide guidance to faculty and academic departments on matters such as leaves of absence, sabbaticals, workload assignments, and faculty grievances.
• Maintain an up-to-date understanding of relevant laws, regulations, and policies related to faculty employment and academic affairs.
• Plan and conduct workshops for faculty, department chairs/program directors, and deans on all faculty-related personnel processes and development as appropriate.
• Serve as a resource for faculty concerns, grievances, and conflict resolution.
• Promote faculty engagement in shared governance, encouraging participation in faculty committees and university-wide initiatives.
• Foster positive faculty relations and facilitate open lines of communication.
• Acts in the capacity of System Administrator of Watermark for the Faculty Success and Workflow modules.
• Generate reports and analyze faculty data to inform decision-making and strategic planning processes.
• Oversee the maintenance of accurate and up-to-date faculty records.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Education Level: Master's degree