Job no: 507150
Position Type: Staff Full Time
Campus: UMass Boston
Department: Human Resources
Pay Grade: No Pay Grade
Date opened: 13 Jan 2021 Eastern Standard Time
Applications close:

General Summary:

This position is directly accountable for developing and maintaining effective working relationships between Human Resources and the Vice Chancellor, Dean and/or Department Head in assigned colleges and departments, ensuring that assigned client areas receive superior customer service from HR. Drawing on a broad range of expertise, the HR Generalist operates as a business partner, change agent, management advocate and employee champion across the University. The HR Generalist acts as the primary point of contact for Vice Chancellors, Deans, Department Heads and their staffs for all recruiting, employment, compensation, employee relations, labor relations and training and development matters and serves as a liaison with the functional HR areas. The HR Generalist is directly responsible for the delivery of a full suite of customer-focused HR services to assigned colleges and departments. Also provides cross-coverage and back-up support for HR colleagues.

Examples of Duties:

• Ensure that assigned client areas receive high quality, timely and consistent service on all HR matters.
• Plan, develop, organize and implement HR business plans that are aligned to both the overall University strategy and direction and to the specific needs of assigned areas.
• Lead HR strategic planning and business goal setting sessions with the respective Vice Chancellors, Deans, Department Heads and their leadership teams.
• In conjunction with the Vice Chancellor for HR, plan, develop and deliver an integrated suite of talent management, performance management and compensation programs that reflect University objectives and HR best practices
• Develop human resources strategies to meet changing academic and business needs through organizational structure redesign, succession planning, creation of new positions and roles and the effective use of communication planning.
• Build and maintain personal credibility throughout responsibility areas at all levels to effectively provide advice and counsel.
• Provide direction and tools for Vice Chancellors, Deans and Department Heads to continually assess changing skill set needs, skill levels and skill gaps, overall team effectiveness and effectiveness of retention and performance management initiatives. Conduct training and development sessions as required to meet challenges posed by workforce skill gaps.
• In collaboration with the Director of Compensation and Benefits and the Vice Chancellor for HR, oversee new hire and promotional salary offers to ensure alignment with University policies and procedures, collective bargaining agreements, pay practices, compensation philosophy and market conditions.
• Provide proactive guidance and coaching in bringing front-line employee relations and labor relations matters to successful resolution. Partner with central employee and labor relations staff on complex matters. May lead or participate in investigations related to such matters.
• Remain current on employment law and compliance and participate as required in MCAD and EEO issue resolution including the conduct of investigations.
• Create recruiting strategies for assigned units.
• Assess training needs in assigned organizations and develop relevant training programs in conjunction with HR functional areas (Compensation, Benefits, Labor Relations, etc.).
• Oversee assimilation of new employees and new senior leaders to the respective Vice Chancellor, Dean or Department Head responsibility area.
• Deliver new manager and new employee orientations in personnel policies, processes and procedures and new HR software implementations and updates.
• Provide cross-coverage and back-up support for HR colleagues as assigned.
• Perform other duties as assigned or required to meet Department, Executive Area/Division, and/or University goals.

Required for All Jobs:

• Understand and contribute to implementation of departmental and institutional goals for achieving non-discrimination and creation of a respectful, inclusive environment across multiple dimensions of diversity.
• Understand responsibilities with respect to conflicts of interest and behave in ways consistent with applicable requirements.
• Scrupulously maintain confidentiality of sensitive information and exercises due care to prevent unnecessary disclosure of the same.

Contribute toward creating a positive and respectful workplace defined by personal and professional competence, integrity, and collaboration.

Qualifications:

Bachelor’s degree and at least 7 years of progressively responsible experience in a human resources generalist or specialist role. Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing. Track record of cultivating credible trust-based relationships with leaders and colleagues at all levels of the organization. Demonstrated ability to resolve sensitive and difficult issues in a professional and productive manner.

Preferred Qualifications:

PHR, SPHR, SHRM-CP or SHRM-SCP certification preferred. Demonstrated experience in one or more of the following areas is a plus: compensation and classification management, recruitment, training and development and immigration. Experience working in a unionized environment is preferred, as is experience working in higher education administration. An advanced degree in HR management or a related field and/or a JD also is preferred and may be substituted for up to 2 years of the requisite professional experience.

Application Instructions:

Please apply online with your resume, cover letter and list of three references.

This position is open until filled.

This is a non-union position.

All official salary offers must be approved by Human Resources.

Applications close: