Director Of Human Resources

Suffolk County Community College is an open admissions institution committed to serving a diverse student population in a variety of degree and career programs. It is the largest community college in the State University of New York (SUNY) system, enrolling more than 21,000 students at its three campuses in Selden, Brentwood, and Riverhead, as well as a Culinary Arts and Hospitality Center in Riverhead.

Suffolk County Community College is looking for a dynamic Director of Human Resources to be a part of a talented HR team. Reporting to the Vice President for Human Resources, this position will partner to administer and deliver resources for all talent-related activities including acquisition, development, management, and engagement to ensure alignment with the department’s strategy. This position is actively engaged in the full life cycle of recruitment efforts with oversight of the search and selection process in alignment with the college’s equity, diversity and inclusion strategic objectives. The Director of HR provides advice and support aimed at building organizational capacity, handling employee complaints, conflict resolution, and contract interpretation.

Key Responsibilities include:

Recruitment and Staffing

• Develops, reviews and updates job descriptions for vacant and existing positions to reflect current job duties and responsibilities.
• Works closely and in collaboration with the Chief Diversity and Affirmative Action officers on recruitment efforts to enhance the diversity of the workforce as well as partner to ensure broad based outreach activities for all hires.
• Facilitates the approvals for adjunct hiring and provides human resources support in the orientation and onboarding process for all new employees.
• Coordinates and conducts education and training for search committees and hiring managers on best practices related to the recruitment and selection process.
• Ensures consistent and compliant application of the hiring and selection process by working closely with faculty, staff and the adjunct services office.

Employee and Labor Relations

• Works with Association representatives and supervisors, and assist supervisors in facilitating performance improvement plans to meet timelines and deliverable to address performance improvement needs.
• Provides contract interpretation, contract implementation, grievance processing, and requests for information.
• Serves as a resource to management in the disciplinary action process to ensure the disciplinary action contract requirements are met and procedures are in accordance to civil service law.
• Advises administrators, deans, directors, managers, and supervisors on management of complex human resources issues and situations including, but not limited to, performance management programs, conflict resolution and culture improvement.
• Corresponds with employees on investigation outcomes.
• Conducts investigatory interviews and facilitates the complaint process. Interviews witnesses and provides a summary report of findings.

HR Operations and Administration

• In collaboration with the VP, conducts a needs analysis with multiple stakeholders to identify automation and technology to increase efficiencies in HR processes and personnel administration across the college.
• Serves on the Evaluation Committee to identify software and platforms to improve HR services.
• Management and oversight of the online training platform for reporting and compliance.
• Creates workflows and SOP’s to ensure retention of institutional knowledge of processes.
• Directly supervises Human Resources staff. Carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the organization's policies and applicable laws.
• In collaboration with the Director of Payroll, responds to requests for information and responses to employee inquiries involving retirement, benefits, and compensation.
• Coordinates regular “check-ins” and postmortem meetings to identify and communicate enhancements with project team members.

Training and Performance Management

• Delivers training for staff and supervisors on HR-related topics and issues.
• Surveys and collects information on the employee experience from the point of hire and regular check ins. Conducts exit interviews, analyzes responses and provides feedback and recommendations on information gathered.
• Recommends and delivers training to staff for professional development and continuous improvement.
• Reviews and approves the duties statement review in accordance with Civil Service requirements, record keeping, and reporting compliance.
• Provides direction and responds to inquiries from staff regarding Human Resources/payroll policies, procedures, bargaining agreements, and federal and state laws/regulations.
• Manage and oversight of the online training platform for reporting and compliance.
• Ensures the administration of term and continuing appointments, evaluations, promotions are completed in a timely manner.

Leave Management

• Communication with supervisors and coordinates with payroll and human resources administrative personnel for leaves and management of paid and unpaid time off.
• Oversees the leave requests from staff and ensures that timely communication and documentation are obtained.
• Collaborates with the Leave Specialist and Legal Affairs when necessary on correspondence to staff on all approvals and/or reasonable accommodation requests.

The ideal candidate will have management level experience in HR services with a broad HR Generalist background. Has experience in multiple disciplines within HR, such as employee and labor relations, talent acquisition, talent management, talent development, performance management and compensation. Experience in training organizational development and change management and in a fast-paced, team-oriented environment with quickly shifting priorities. A strong service orientation; excellent interpersonal skills; excellent oral and written skills; effective training and negotiating abilities and ability to deal constructively with conflicts; the ability to handle multiple concurrent projects in a deadline-driven environment, work under pressure and with frequent interruptions. Knowledge of progressive HR programs and processes including employment law; and discretion for dealing with sensitive information are required. Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with meticulous attention to detail; keep and maintain accurate and detailed reports and records.

Education and Minimum Qualifications

Master’s Degree in Human Resources or a related field with seven (7) years in a progressive and consultative HR experience in a complex organization with diverse cultures, and operating environments, working with supervisors and managing people and projects through direct and indirect supervisory roles. HR technology implementation experience is required.

Preferred Qualifications

Juris Doctor (J.D) degree. SHRM Certification or equivalent HRM certification.HR experience working in higher education, public or private sector.

The Director of Human Resources is an exempt position; compensation will be based on the College's exempt salary and benefit plan. We offer a comprehensive benefits package that includes medical, dental and vision, vacation days, deferred compensation and a defined benefit plan.