Associate Director, Human Resources

By working at Harvard University, you join a vibrant community that advances Harvard's world-changing mission in meaningful ways, inspires innovation and collaboration, and builds skills and expertise. We are dedicated to creating a diverse and welcoming environment where everyone can thrive.

Why join Harvard University Central Administration?

Harvard University's Central Administration (CADM) is a 5,000+ employee organization that supports the university's overall excellence by understanding and serving the needs of its schools, students, faculty, staff, alumni, and surrounding communities. Through dynamic and collaborative partnerships, CADM provides high-quality and efficient services to the schools to help them achieve their goals.

Reporting through Harvard Human Resource Consulting the Associate Director is part of a team providing HR support to Harvard University’s Campus Services. This position serves as the primary HR business partner for a diverse portfolio of Campus Services units, ranging from professional and administrative teams to large operational and service groups.  

Core duties:

• Consult with clients on employee relations, recruitment, compensation, learning and development strategies, engagement initiatives, and enhancements to the work environment
• Provide expert advice and coaching to managers and employees
• Collaborate with managers, faculty, staff, and bargaining unit representatives to understand business needs and strategically address workplace issues
• Partner with leadership on organizational transformations, defining HR goals and associated change management and communications efforts
• Lead change processes to create a culture of productivity and engagement
• Create and deliver effective human resources programs, learning and development opportunities, initiatives, and offerings to a wide range of audiences
• Seek efficiencies and recommend improvements in processes and systems
• Provide specialized research, data analytics, and reporting to inform decision-making
• Function as subject matter expert or project lead
• May collaborate with a centralized HR function to provide service
• Ensure compliance with University Human Resources policies, procedures, and requirements and applicable legal regulations 

Additional duties:

Performance Management

• Coach managers on performance management practices that build and sustain a high-performing workforce including, but not limited to giving feedback, documenting performance, and addressing underperformance
• Advise managers on performance improvement plans and corrective action, in line with University policy and applicable collective bargaining agreements
• Analyze performance, engagement, and retention data to identify trends and recommend targeted interventions

Organizational Partnership and Talent Development

• Partner with business unit leaders to assess organizational structure, roles, spans of control, and reporting relationships, and recommend designs that support business strategy
• Partner with Center for Workplace Development (CWD) and the Campus Services’ Organizational Development Consultant to implement workforce engagement, talent development and other organizational initiatives
• Support reorganizations from assessment through implementation, including job design, staffing plans, impact analysis, and communications
• Support management to develop career pathways and growth opportunities for staff at all levels, including frontline and non-exempt employees
• Partner with Talent Acquisition and the University’s compensation team to align job design, recruiting, and pay practices with organizational plans
• Take part in Campus Services–wide initiatives, including serving on the Campus Services extended leadership team and Engagement Council

Employee and Labor Relations

• Advise business unit managers on routine to complex employee and/or labor relations matters for exempt, and non-exempt union staff
• Partner with managers, union business agents, outside counsel and the Office of Labor and Employee Relations (OLER) to respond to and resolve grievances, up to and including arbitration
• Serve as a Step 2 Hearing Officer for one or more collective bargaining agreements
• Partner with OLER to keep business units compliant with their collective bargaining agreements; advise managers on contract-governed practices
• Serve as a Title IX Resource Coordinator under the University’s sexual and gender-based harassment policy and Local Designated Resource (LDR) under the University’s non-discrimination and anti-bullying policies

Basic Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent work experience required
• Minimum of 8 years’ relevant HR experience

Additional Qualifications and Skills:

• Master’s degree in related field
• HRCI or SHRM certification
• Knowledge of and experience with employee relations and performance management best practices
• Experience supporting organizational design or restructuring initiatives from assessment through implementation
• Experience with implementing employee engagement and talent development initiatives preferred
• Experience facilitating groups and delivering training
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office, HRIS applications, and HR analytics, including survey and people data
• Working knowledge of Massachusetts and federal employment law
• Ability to quickly learn Harvard’s decentralized structure and the culture of each local unit
• Multi-lingual preferred

Working Conditions:

• Hybrid – This role has an expectation of presence on campus at minimum 2-3 days per week

Visa Sponsorship Information: Harvard University is unable to provide visa sponsorship for this position

Pre-Employment Screening: Identity, Education

Key Competencies

• Strong business acumen and an understanding of the operations of the units supported
• Systems thinking, with the ability to see how structure, roles, processes, and culture interact
• Skilled coach and facilitator who builds manager capability
• Change leadership, with the ability to guide people through ambiguity and transition
• Ability to engage, influence, and build trust with leaders, staff, and union representatives
• Data-informed judgment, with the ability to turn people data into practical recommendations
• Sound judgment and discretion in handling sensitive, confidential matters
• Strong interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills
• Ability to quickly learn Harvard’s decentralized structure and the culture of each local unit

Work Format Details

This position has been determined by school or unit leaders that some of the duties and responsibilities can be effectively performed at a non-Harvard location. The work schedule and location will be set by the department at its discretion and based upon operational needs. When not working at a Harvard or Harvard-designated location, employees in hybrid positions must work in a Harvard registered state in compliance with the University’s Policy on Employment Outside of Massachusetts. Additional details will be discussed during the interview process. Certain visa types and funding sources may limit work location. Individuals must meet work location sponsorship requirements prior to employment.

Salary Grade and Ranges

This position is salary grade level 059. Please visit  Harvard's Salary Ranges  to view the corresponding salary range and related information. 

Benefits

Harvard offers a comprehensive benefits package that is designed to support a healthy work-life balance and your physical, mental and financial wellbeing. Because here, you are what matters. Our benefits include, but are not limited to: 

• 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 

Learn more about these and additional benefits on our Benefits & Wellbeing Page. 

EEO/Non-Discrimination Commitment Statement

Harvard University is committed to equal opportunity and non-discrimination. We seek talent from all parts of society and the world, and we strive to ensure everyone at Harvard thrives. Our differences help our community advance Harvard's academic purposes.

Harvard has an equal employment opportunity policy that outlines our commitment to prohibiting discrimination on the basis of race, ethnicity, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status, religion, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law or identified in the university's non-discrimination policy. Harvard's equal employment opportunity policy and non-discrimination policy help all community members participate fully in work and campus life free from harassment and discrimination.