Assistant Director/HR Partner

Harvard University

$95K — $115K *
Education, Government & Non-Profit
5 - 7 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree or equivalent work experience required
  • Minimum of 7 years' relevant HR experience
  • Experience working in a union environment
  • Experience with employee relations issues
  • SHRM Certification preferred
  • Strong knowledge of employment law and HR policies
  • Experience with HRIS and analytics preferred

Responsibilities

  • Provide expert guidance on a full spectrum of HR issues
  • Consult and coach on employee relations and performance management
  • Interpret and improve HR policies and processes
  • Identify and recommend enhancements to organizational development
  • Collaborate on compensation-related matters with the Compensation team
  • Lead change management efforts for a productive culture
  • Ensure successful recruitment of top talent
  • Streamline HR processes and service delivery
  • Facilitate HR transactions ensuring compliance
  • Serve as a subject matter expert on HR projects

Benefits

  • Generous paid time off including parental leave
  • Health insurance coverage starting on day one
  • Retirement plans with university contributions
  • Mental health resources and wellbeing support
  • Professional development opportunities including tuition assistance
  • Commuter benefits and campus perks
Full Job Description
Job Summary:

The overarching mission of the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health (SPH) is to advance the public's health through learning, discovery, and communication. To pursue this mission, the School produces knowledge through research, reproduces knowledge through higher education, and translates knowledge into evidence that can be communicated to the public, policymakers, and practitioners to advance the health of populations.

The Office of Human Resources (HR) at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health (SPH) is a proactive, strategic partner to the SPH community. We support the School's mission and strategic priorities by attracting, developing, rewarding, and retaining exceptional talent in an inclusive, high-performing environment.

Job-Specific Responsibilities:

Reporting to the Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO), the Assistant Director of Human Resources / HR Partner serves as a trusted advisor and thought partner to managers, faculty, staff, and bargaining unit representatives. This role addresses a broad range of workplace and organizational issues, delivering strategic, high-impact HR solutions. The Assistant Director / HR Partner will facilitate problem-solving; maintain the highest levels of discretion, confidentiality, and customer service; and provide integrated HR guidance that reflects a strong understanding of the School's operations, culture, and evolving needs.

Responsibilities include:
  • Provide expert guidance, consulting, and problem resolution on a full spectrum of human resources issues.
  • Consult with and coach managers and employees on employee and labor relations, performance management, retention, staffing, and career development.
  • Interpret, communicate, and advise on HR policies, practices, and processes; contribute to their continuous improvement and development.
  • Partner with managers to identify organizational issues and recommend enhancements to organizational design, development, and training needs; collaborate with the Center for Workforce Development and the Harvard Longwood Campus (HLC) Employee Development and Wellness teams as appropriate.
  • Collaborate with the HLC Compensation team on all compensation-related matters, including job reviews, salary and bonus recommendations, and equity reviews.
  • Support and lead aspects of change management efforts to foster a productive, engaged, and inclusive culture.
  • In partnership with the Talent Acquisition team, ensure the successful recruitment of top talent
  • Proactively identify opportunities to streamline processes, improve HR service delivery, and drive HR initiatives with a focus on effectiveness and efficiency and to leveraging across the HLC.
  • Facilitate, review, and approve HR and payroll transactions, ensuring accuracy, timeliness, and compliance.
  • Serve as a subject matter expert and/or project lead on designated HR projects and initiatives.
  • Ensure compliance with University Human Resources policies, procedures, and requirements, as well as applicable federal, state, and local employment laws and regulations.
  • Perform other related duties as required


Qualifications

Basic Qualifications:

Please ensure the following are clearly depicted in the resume to be considered as meeting the basic qualifications:
  • Bachelor's degree or equivalent work experience required
  • Minimum of 7 years' relevant HR experience
  • Experience working in a union environment is required
  • Experience with employee relations issues


Additional Qualifications and Skills:
  • Bachelors (or advanced) degree. SHRM Certification
  • Advanced knowledge of employment law, HR policies and practices and some financial/business acumen
  • Demonstrated experience with the administration of bargaining unit polices and procedures
  • Harvard experience or working in academia a plus
  • Experience with complex employee issues
  • Experience with Microsoft Office Suite, especially Excel, PowerPoint, and Word
  • Experience with HRIS applications and analytics
  • Experience with managing projects through completion and meeting deadlines
  • Strong written and verbal communication skills, negotiation skills
  • A track record of strong business judgment, connecting human resources with organization goals/mission
  • Strong problem solving & analytical skills
  • Service-oriented, collaborative, and impact-driven
  • Demonstrated commitment to building and sustaining relationships, including effectively communicating with staff at all levels, working as a team, and working with confidential data


Additional Information
  • Standard Hours/Schedule: 35 hours per week
  • Visa Sponsorship Information: Harvard University is unable to provide visa sponsorship for this position
  • Pre-Employment Screening: Identity, Education, Criminal


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 058. 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.

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