Director/Human Resources

Company Description

The State University of New York at Fredonia (SUNY Fredonia) is a public liberal arts university located in Western New York, within a short driving distance to major metropolitan areas. Distinguished by programs in the liberal arts and sciences, as well as creative and performing arts and selected professional fields, Fredonia has repeatedly been cited as one of America's best universities in national studies, and is consistently ranked among the top public institutions in the northeast.

Fredonia has a rich tradition of teaching. Its history began as the Fredonia Academy, established in 1826 by the citizens of the village of Fredonia. The beautiful and well- maintained campus is considered a gem in the SUNY system, situated in a welcoming community of tree-lined streets and historic architecture, surrounded by rolling hills and vineyards. The delights of the four seasons, as well as close proximity to Lake Erie, provides opportunities for outdoor research and creativity, as well as recreation.

The university's resources include a nationally known School of Music, as well as a number of professional programs including finance, management, marketing, and accounting within its School of Business. The wide range of innovative programs in the liberal arts and sciences include Communication, Exercise Science, Communication Disorders and Sciences, Biochemistry, and Molecular Genetics. The university is also known for outstanding teacher preparation programs in its College of Education.

Fredonia educates, challenges, and inspires students to become skilled, connected, creative, and responsible global citizens and professionals. The university enriches the world through scholarship, artistic expression, community engagement, and entrepreneurship.

Job Description

The Director of Human Resources brings together employees from various employment groups to create a welcoming environment, supportive of all employees. Fredonia has six collective bargaining units (PBANYS, NYSCOPBA, CSEA, GSEU, PEF, and UUP).

Rewards & Benefits

• Competitive compensation plus comprehensive benefits plan including health, dental, and vision insurance and retirement plan options including a fixed pension plan or a 401(A) with generous employer contributions;
• Paid leave provisions including sick and holiday leave; impressive educational benefits including tuition-free study plus supplemental tuition aid;
• A rich array of services, programs and benefits to help employees advance in their career and enhance the quality of their personal life, including professional development programs and services, employee EAP and wellness programs, discounted membership to the on-campus fitness center, and access to the Campus and Community Child Care Center.

KEY RESPONSBILITIES

The HR Director is a management/confidential level position reporting directly to the Vice President for Finance and Administration. The HR Director oversees four employees. Functional areas under the Director include employee relations, recruitment and employment, classification and compensation, employee benefits, performance evaluations, workers compensation and leave programs, New York State Ethics, ADA, immigration for employees, and employee training and development.

The Director works closely with the President and the President's Cabinet, serving as the President's designee for investigations, grievances, disciplines, and settlements; and facilitates labor/management meetings and relations. The Director also works closely with SUNY Legal Counsel regarding issues related to employment and partners with the Chief Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Officer on EEO/AA.

Leadership and Management

• Manages all facets of Human Resources and reporting offices to ensure full compliance with all governing Federal, State, SUNY and campus policies.
• Works closely with the President and the President's Cabinet in ensuring that the work of Human Resources is in full alignment with the direction of the university. Reviews HR policies and practices as needed and recommends modifications and best practices, including new technologies in human resources administration.
• Supervises and manages staff directly. Serves as the Campus Ethics Officer.
• Cultivates positive working relationships with union leadership, SUNY System, and human resource counterparts throughout SUNY.
• Serves as the advisor to senior management on all human resource matters. Keeps abreast of higher education HR administration policies.
• Maintains knowledge of SUNY System personnel policies and institutional reporting requirements.
• Provides strategic leadership for benefits administration; performance management systems; employee and labor relations; compensation and classification systems; ethics; compliance with federal, and state and local labor laws.
• Utilizes data, analytics, and technology to develop initiatives aimed at enhancing efficiency and financial sustainability.
• Oversees the maintenance of personnel records and ensures that data is accurately maintained and protected.

Talent acquisition and retention

• Working collaboratively and collegially with Employee Benefits, and EAP, the HR Director supports the recruitment, retention and engagement of the university's workforce
• Collaborates with the Chief Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Officer, Cabinet members, and the community to develop and implement policies that promote a safe, inclusive, and a productive workplace.
• Works to enhance employee job satisfaction and engagement. Manages onboarding and off-boarding of employees.

Professional Development of Employees

• Responsible for professional development and training for employees, including but not limited to the following: UUP, PEF, M/C, GSEU and classified staff.
• Ensures that HR policies are known and understood across the university. Manages and leads Chair and Dean training.
• Manages online employee compliance training.

Job Requirements

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Master's degree;
• Five + years of career progression in Human Resources;
• In-depth knowledge of human resource practices including employee relations and familiarity with employment law;
• Strong writing, oral and presentation skills;
• Excellent management, supervisory, interpersonal, and problem-solving skills; Demonstrated ability to complete work assignments within established timelines, while balancing competing and shifting priorities;
• Proven record of personal integrity and ethical management;
• Demonstrated skill in conflict resolution and a track record of creativity and innovation in approaching complex and/or difficult conversations and interactions with diplomacy, insight, and emotional intelligence;
• Demonstrated commitment and ability to work with a diverse group of students, faculty, staff and constituents in support of campus and department mission; Demonstrated commitment to the university, division, and profession.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Master's degree preferably in human resources, business administration, or a related field.
• HR experience in higher education.
• Interest in, and commitment to, community engagement.

Additional Information

The State University of New York at Fredonia (SUNY Fredonia) seeks a collaborative, collegial, diplomatic, and experienced individual to serve as its Director of Human Resources. The university welcomes confidential nominations and direct applications for the position. Position is expected to begin May 2021.

To Nominate: Please send nominations to the office of the President at denise.szalkowski@fredonia.edu.

Fredonia prides itself on an outstanding workforce. To continually support

organizational excellence, the university conducts background screens on applicants.

Pursuant to University policy, the University is committed to fostering a diverse community of outstanding faculty, staff, and students, as well as ensuring equal educational opportunity, employment, and access to services, programs, and activities, without regard to an individual's race, color, national origin, religion, creed, age, disability, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, familial status, pregnancy, predisposing genetic characteristics, military status, or domestic violence victim status. Employees, students, applicants or other members of the University community (including but not limited to vendors, visitors, and guests) may not be subjected to harassment that is prohibited by law, or treated adversely or retaliated against based upon a protected characteristic.

The University's policy is in accordance with federal and state laws and regulations prohibiting unlawful discrimination and harassment. These laws include the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 as Amended by the Equal Employment Opportunity Act of 1972, and the New York State Human Rights Law. These laws prohibit discrimination and harassment, including sexual harassment and sexual violence.

Pursuant to Executive Order 161, no State entity, as defined by the Executive Order, is permitted to ask, or mandate, in any form, that an applicant for employment provide his or her current compensation, or any prior compensation history, until such time as the applicant is extended a conditional offer of employment with compensation. If such information has been requested from you before such time, please contact the Governor's Office of Employee Relations at (518) 474-6988 or via email at info@goer.ny.gov.

Application Instructions

Interested candidates shall apply and submit the required documents listed below by visiting the link and  clicking on the APPLY NOW button. Complete applications received by February 12, 2021 will be given full consideration. A list of six professional references, including contact information and relationship is required as part of the application.

• Cover Letter
• Resume/CV

https://fredonia.interviewexchange.com/jobofferdetails.jsp?JOBID=127369

Note: After submitting your Resume/CV, the subsequent page gives you instructions that enable you to upload the additional, required documents.

The consideration and review of applications will be conducted confidentially to the extent possible and only the finalists for the position will be announced on the Campus of the State University of New York at Fredonia. References will not be contacted without consent from the finalist. Credentials of finalists will be posted internally and viewable by authorized faculty, staff, and students.

An Affirmative Action, Equal Opportunity Employer, Fredonia provides for, and promotes, equal opportunity employment, compensation, and other terms and conditions of employment, without discrimination.