Associate Director, People Services

People Services Associate Director

The People Services Associate Director will report to the Director of People Services and will support BSD departments. This position will support staff and leaders through a broad spectrum of HR services including performance management, employee relations, policy interpretation, workforce planning and staffing, and staff development. The Associate Director for People Services will ensure BSD operations and administrative leaders have the resources they need to support their staff and to create long term employee satisfaction and engagement.

Responsibilities

Workforce Planning

• Partner with operational and administrative leadership to provide strategic people services for designated client groups, across staff and academic populations, building talent capability through oversight across the organization and guidance on talent acquisition, talent development, engagement, organizational design, compensation administration, and by driving inclusion & diversity.
• Develop and maintain a deep understanding of unit culture, academic priorities, and research operations to provide meaningful, value-added HR services supporting the department objectives.
• Analyze internal and external workforce and faculty trends and metrics to develop organizational practices which meet the needs of each employee and fulfill the strategic vision and mission of the department, the BSD, and the University.

Talent Acquisition

• Lead and oversee staff and academic search efforts across all phases of workforce planning and talent acquisition to ensure a successful hire and excellent candidate experience.
• Provides strategic oversight for position development job descriptions academic appointment documentation recruitment strategy, offer development, onboarding ensuring consistent, compliant and effective hiring practices across client areas.

Performance Management

• Advise and coach managers and leaders on performance management, faculty engagement on employee relations matters, providing guidance on development planning, corrective action, and complex case resolution.
• Partner with administrative leaders to guide and oversee the staff performance management process from goal setting through compensation and merit review, ensuring consistency, equity, and alignment with institutional practices.

Employee Relations

• Oversee complex employee and faculty relations matters, including overseeing thorough and timely investigations, ensuring appropriate resolution, and conducting leadership debriefs.
• Monitor employee relations trends and proactively implement strategies and interventions to mitigate risk and prevent future concerns.

Compensation and Rewards

• Develop and maintain a deep understanding of staff and faculty compensation structures of BSD research and life sciences roles to inform people strategy, workforce planning, and compensation-related decisions.
• Analyze compensation and appointment data and prepare visual summaries and proposals for management review and consultation with University HR and compensation team.
• Design and recommend innovative rewards and recognition approaches that reinforce engagement and staff appreciation.

Standard Responsibilities

• Leads staff and academic hiring and appointment processes, including job descriptions development, interview practices, offer and appointment documentation, and onboarding activities.
• Develops and maintains standardized templates and materials, ensures accurate people data and records while resolving issues with a broad, strategic objectives.
• Maintains deep expertise in employee and academic relations matters, including advising on grievances, disciplinary actions, appointment concerns and employee complaints ensuring issues are addressed consistently, fairly and in alignment with institutional policy and academic guidelines.
• Provides specialized guidance and implements unit-specific HR strategies and initiatives, ensuring alignment with central HR policies, employment laws, and organizational objectives. May lead or mentor others within the unit.
• Drives continuous improvement of HR processes within the unit, regularly evaluating current practices, implementing enhancements, and fostering a culture of innovation to improve efficiency, compliance, and the overall employee experience. May also develop and manage the unit's HR budget.
• Performs other related work as needed.

Minimum Qualifications

Education:

Minimum requirements include a college or university degree in related field.

Work Experience:

Minimum requirements include knowledge and skills developed through 7+ years of work experience in a related job discipline.

Certifications:

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Preferred Qualifications

Education:

• Master's Degree in Human Resources, Industrial and Labor Relations, or related field.

Experience:

• 10+ years of HR experience advising and supporting leadership on a broad range of HR matters.
• Experience supporting leaders in a highly complex organization.
• Employee relations counseling, investigations, and disciplinary action, including complex cases.
• Experience with full cycle recruitment, including oversight of hiring processes.
• Experience working within a university or OFCCP compliant environment.
• HR experience supporting professionals in information technology, data science, bioinformatics, or research.
• Experience with streamlining HR process and leading efforts toward continuous improvement.
• Workday as the HRIS or ATS system.

Licenses and Certifications:

• PHR/SPHR/SHRM-CP/SHRM-SCP.

Preferred Competencies

• Ability to successfully navigate a complex business and academic environment.
• A desire to drive continuous improvement and growth.
• Ability to influence others without formal authority by building positive working relationships and partnerships with confidence.
• Ability to understand or uncover leader's needs, assess the range of solutions, provide relevant guidance, and coach to facilitate change.
• Ability to interact effectively with all leaders of the University.
• Ability to cultivate a learning environment that appreciates cultural diversity.
• Ability to create mission-driven, cohesive teams by building talent infrastructure.

Application Documents

• Resume (required)
• Cover Letter (preferred)

When applying, the document(s) MUST be uploaded via the My Experience page, in the section titled Application Documents of the application.

Job Family

Human Resources

Role Impact

Individual Contributor

Scheduled Weekly Hours

40

Pay Rate Type

Salary

FLSA Status

Exempt

Pay Range

$120,000.00 - $145,000.00

The included pay rate or range represents the University's good faith estimate of the possible compensation offer for this role at the time of posting.

Benefits Eligible

Yes

The University of Chicago offers a wide range of benefits programs and resources for eligible employees, including health, retirement, and paid time off. Information about the benefit offerings can be found in the Benefits Guidebook.

Posting Statement

The University of Chicago is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, or expression, national or ethnic origin, shared ancestry, age, status as an individual with a disability, military or veteran status, genetic information, or other protected classes under the law. For additional information please see the University's Notice of Nondiscrimination.

Job seekers in need of a reasonable accommodation to complete the application process should call 773-702-5800 or submit a request via Applicant Inquiry Form.

All offers of employment are contingent upon a background check that includes a review of conviction history. A conviction does not automatically preclude University employment. Rather, the University considers conviction information on a case-by-case basis and assesses the nature of the offense, the circumstances surrounding it, the proximity in time of the conviction, and its relevance to the position.

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