Assistant Dean of Human Resources

Occupational Summary

The Nicholas School of the Environment (NSOE) seeks an Assistant Dean of Human Resources (ADHR) (Duke Job: Human Resources Departmental Director) with combined educational and on-the-job experience. Candidates must possess sufficient knowledge and experience to provide strategic and tactical operational leadership to ensure the School’s HR and administrative support needs are positioned for successful programs of NSOE; including a commitment to diversity and inclusion and the ability to create a welcoming engaging environment for people of all backgrounds is required.

The Assistant Dean of Human Resources position is part of the senior administrative team of NSOE reporting to the CFO/Associate Dean for Finance & Administration and has significant engagement with the Dean, other school leadership, faculty, staff, and students at NSOE and the University. This position supervises a team of staff members providing HR and payroll administrative support. Optional hybrid schedule upon successfully completing the onboarding process.

Work Performed

• Serve as the lead administrator in the Nicholas School for human resources functions, which include: recruitment, employee relations, compensation and classification, policy interpretation and application, internal communications, compliance, and training functions.

• Work to ensure consistent and accurate interpretation and application of human resources policies related to all types of employees (faculty, staff, student and temporary) throughout the School.

• Lead and/or participate in human resource projects that may be unit specific, apply to the School, or the entire University. Prepare reports and deliver presentations when necessary.

• Collaborate with the School’s committees, the Provost’s Office, the Assistant Dean, DEI (AD-DEI), the Office of Institutional Equity, and others in the development and execution of strategies to promote excellence in diversity and inclusion.

• Identify issues, trends, or needs that apply to the Nicholas School’s human resources functions and develop strategies to address them, including those that involve international activity of PIs and others in the School.

• Routinely evaluate the effectiveness of the organizational structure and the human resource programs and make/recommend changes where needed. Ensure developmental and training programs are aligned with departmental objectives and needs. Proactively implement succession activities that promote internal growth and mitigate knowledge gaps due to attrition.

• Oversee efforts related to promoting an effective and inclusive work culture, e.g., recognition programs, social events, leadership forums, and employee surveys.

• Interpret personnel policy intent and/or acceptable management practices to ensure fair and consistent application of University policy; develop departmental policies in accordance with established University policy.

• In partnership with central Recruitment, the AD-DEI, the Office of Institutional Equity, and the Provost’s Office, develop and implement recruitment strategies that promote diversity and inclusion.

• Support and advise the Dean, CFO/Associate Dean for Finance and Administration, and academic leaders on a number of HR and administrative projects.

• Manage the Nicholas School’s Human Resources, Payroll Administrative functions, determining priorities, supervising and mentoring staff. Ensure consistent and accurate interpretation and application of human resources policies, practices, and guiding principles are exercised at both the Durham and Beaufort campuses.

• Advise and assist management, faculty, and staff in the handling of employee relation issues, complaints, and/or grievances along with determination of appropriate disciplinary actions. Collaborate with University attorneys as needed, represent the Nicholas School at grievance hearings, dismissal conferences, and arbitration when needed.

• Implement and ensure consistent, efficient, and cost-effective office processes and procedures that support the employees throughout the Nicholas School.

• Direct and manage all major HR initiatives and oversee day-to-day operations of payroll administrative support, ensuring excellent customer service.

• Direct the performance management processes; provide reports and analysis around performance metrics, top and low performers, organizational structure, and effectiveness.

• Manage effort certification processes and collaborate closely with grants and contracts administrators on sponsored effort.

• Direct pay processes, including but not limited to: salary equity reviews, salary setting, non-compensation awards processed through payroll, and summer supplement administration.

• Determine budget impact of salary actions and assist management with salary budget planning and staffing requirements.

• Collaborate closely with the Durham and Beaufort-based business office staff to ensure seamless administrative, payroll, and HR services are provided at the highest quality to the school’s faculty and staff.

• Collaborate closely with the Director for Faculty Affairs on the HR aspects of faculty appointments and promotions, contracts, sabbaticals, leaves, and other faculty HR matters managed appropriately and according to best HR practices.

• Collaborate closely with the CFO/Associate Dean for Finance and Administration on the development of human resources reports (metrics) and analysis setting forth progress, adverse trends, faculty effort, and appropriate recommendations or conclusions.

Work requires general business or personnel background generally equivalent to a bachelor’s degree in a related field.

Work requires five years of business and/or administrative experience, with exposure to human resources activities, to acquire knowledge of human resources policies and procedures necessary to manage the personnel activities of a major department or division. Or an equivalent combination of relevant education and/or experience.

• Appropriate graduate degree; progressive experience providing HR support to an academic organization, including significant supervisory experience overseeing payroll processes.

• SHRM/HRCI certification (PHR or SPHR).

• Strong understanding of HR best practices for both faculty and staff, as well as broad understanding of diversity, equity, and inclusion as it relates to employee recruitment and retention.

• A high-level understanding of HR matters including employee relations, recruitment, pay, performance, contracts, and legal matters.

• Experience with faculty, student, national and international employment matters.

• Committed to the mission of NSOE and a willingness to participate in our community.

• Skilled team builder and manager; able to establish shared mission, outcomes/goals and create strong morale.

• Ability to be thoughtful and strategic in a solution-oriented role, assessing areas of process improvement.

• Ability to think creatively to help meet operational goals while maintaining HR integrity.

• Ability to manage difficult conversations, relationships, and other challenging situations requiring effective communication.

• Discreet, diplomatic, and committed to engendering employee trust and maintaining confidentiality.

• Effective delegator; skilled at empowering and trusting employees as well as sharing responsibility and accountability.