Associate Director of HR, Medill

Department: Medill - Administration
Salary/Grade: EXS/9

Northwestern University Medill School of Journalism, Media, Integrated Marketing Communications is a leader in education and research. As the media industry experiences unprecedented change, Medill is at the forefront of innovation. Our expert teaching and thought leadership focus on enduring skills and values as well as new techniques and technologies that are changing the way stories are told and consumed in today's digital world.

Medill offers undergraduate and graduate degrees in journalism, and an undergraduate certificate and graduate degree in integrated marketing communications. The diversity of the Medill community has been a source of innovation, excellence and leadership throughout our history. Medill continues its commitment to creating an inclusive environment and to providing equity in opportunities regarding research, teaching, administration and student services.

Job Summary:

The Associate Director of Human Resources functions as a member of the Medill Business Office. The Associate Director is responsible for human capital strategy and implementation for the school. The Associate Director works closely with the Senior Director of Business and Finance and Associate Dean for Administration and Student Affairs to ensure the school utilizes thoughtful approaches to the management of human resources and faculty affairs administration. The Associate Director oversees the design and execution of HR-related projects impacting the entire faculty and staff population and conducts insightful HR data analysis for key performance indicators (KPIs). The Associate Director will also be responsible for administering many HR functions for staff, faculty, and student workers.

*Note: Not all aspects of the job are covered by this job description.

This position will be on-site at the Evanston campus location for a minimum of three days per week, while the remaining time is allowed to be worked remotely. This remote working arrangement will be evaluated on a regular basis and may be changed based on business and operational needs.

Please note: The target budgeted salary for this position is $90,000 - $98,000 annually. Offers will be based on candidate experience and education, as well as equity within Northwestern University.

Specific Responsibilities:

• Manages implementation of human resource programs, policies, procedures & talent management lifecycle & related mentoring & training. Interprets HR policy to maximize effectiveness of HR administration to meet strategic plan objectives.
• Provide the Medill Dean's Office with regular and ad-hoc human resource data analysis and reports and collaborate with the Senior Director of Business and Finance to leverage data in helping the Dean's Office make informed decisions.
• In collaboration with the Senior Director of Business and Finance, manage the merit increase process and oversee the compensation component of the budgeting and forecasting process.
• Manages recruitment, selection, and offer processes; provides guidance on technical aspects and best practices to hiring managers.
• Manages the Performance Excellence process (i.e. the performance management cycle) for the school, serving as both a system administrator and subject matter expert.
• Manages & provides consultation regarding complex performance problems & issues; administers leaves; approves timesheets & oversees completion of annual staff Conflict of Interest survey.
• Provides full lifecycle of HR transactional work: advising department heads on policies and procedures, processing the required transactions, monitoring status and ensuring a timely delivery, and analyzing data to resolve any discrepancies or errors.
• Serves as an HR school administrator and represents the school at cross-university meetings and HR-related committees.
• Manages school's timekeeping management to ensure approvals for timesheets are applied in a timely manner. Trains and troubleshoots timekeeping-related issues for students, staff, and faculty and coordinates with HR as needed. Serves as the school's proxy timekeeping approver.
• Provides all full-time and adjunct faculty onboarding, creates hiring letters, administers payroll processes, and advises on best practices.
• Reconciles monthly payroll expenses to ensure accuracy and proper budgeting.
• Provides administrative oversight for faculty recruitment process, including creation of offer letters and space assignments.
• Provides strategic recommendation for management of faculty appointments, credentialing & exit (retirement & termination) processes.
• Oversees all aspects of faculty administrative tasks (colloquium, seminar, travel, faculty COI survey, annual report) ensuring optimal faculty support.
• Advises and coordinates with faculty leadership on the promotion and tenure process for the school.
• Serves as a faculty affairs school administrator and represents the school at cross-university meetings and faculty affairs-related committees.
• Creates and implements strategy to evaluate and assess human resources operations.
• Measure key performance indicators for faculty administration and development, along with analyzing their impacts.

Miscellaneous

• Performs other duties as assigned

Minimum Qualifications:

• Successful completion of a full 4-year course of study in an accredited college or university leading to a bachelor's or higher degree in a major such as business, accounting or related; OR appropriate combination of education and experience.
• 6-8 years' administrative experience including budgets, finance, grants, facilities, &/or human resources; or other relevant experience.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Successful completion of a master's degree in a major such as business, accounting or related; OR appropriate combination of education and experience.
• Experience working in a university setting.
• Experience utilizing current and standard technology applications for management of administrative and business process.

Benefits:
At Northwestern, we are proud to provide meaningful, competitive, high-quality health care plans, retirement benefits, tuition discounts and more! Visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/benefits/index.html to learn more.

Work-Life and Wellness:
Northwestern offers comprehensive programs and services to help you and your family navigate life's challenges and opportunities, and adopt and maintain healthy lifestyles.
We support flexible work arrangements where possible and programs to help you locate and pay for quality, affordable childcare and senior/adult care. Visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/benefits/work-life/index.html to learn more.

Professional Growth & Development:
Northwestern supports employee career development in all circumstances whether your workspace is on campus or at home. If you're interested in developing your professional potential or continuing your formal education, we offer a variety of tools and resources. Visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/learning/index.html to learn more.

Northwestern strongly recommends COVID-19 vaccinations and boosters for people who can obtain them as a critical tool for minimizing severe illness. More information can be found on the COVID-19 and Campus Updates webpage.

The Northwestern campus sits on the traditional homelands of the people of the Council of Three Fires, the Ojibwe, Potawatomi, and Odawa as well as the Menominee, Miami and Ho-Chunk nations. We acknowledge and honor the original people of the land upon which Northwestern University stands, and the Native people who remain on this land today.

Northwestern University is an Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action Employer of all protected classes, including veterans and individuals with disabilities. Women, racial and ethnic minorities, individuals with disabilities, and veterans are encouraged to apply. Click for information on EEO is the Law.

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