DIRECTOR FOR HUMAN RESOURCES & DEI

Company: University of Washington
Location: Seattle
Posted on: January 27, 2023

Job Description:

Special Application Process

The University of Washington has retained Opus Partners to support this recruitment. Katie Dean, Associate Partner and Thomas Lapierre, Senior Associate & Certified Diversity Recruiter are leading the search. For more information or to apply, please contact Thomas at thomas.lapierre@opuspartners.net. Applications should include a resume and cover letter that should address your experience related to the position responsibilities, as well as the required and preferred qualifications.

DIRECTOR FOR HUMAN RESOURCES & DEI

Thank you for considering Housing & Food Services at the University of Washington, Seattle.

At the University of Washington, diversity is integral to excellence. We value and honor diverse experiences and perspectives, strive to create welcoming and respectful learning environments, and promote access, opportunity and justice for all.

HFS provides on-campus housing to over 10,000 student residents and operates over 40 dining and caf locations that serve the entire campus community. In order to successfully accomplish this, we employ over 1,200 students, classified and professional staff members who work throughout HFS, providing residential and dining services to the campus. As reflected in our mission statement-working together to enhance student life-teamwork and service to our students and customers are at the heart of our business.

To learn about our commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion at UW Housing & Food Services, you are encouraged to review our Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Statement Training.

PURPOSE

Provide leadership, vision and direction for departmental human resources functions that supports HFS unit and Department goals and operations. More specifically, this position provides leadership for talent acquisition and retention strategies that result in a diverse workforce and the development of programs and services that support, develop, leverage, and recognize the strengths and contributions of all employees. This position ensures that the human resources unit is a model for policies and practices that reflect equity and inclusion and advances social justice and supports other units in achieving this standard. In addition, this position works closely and productively with institutional HR leaders to ensure decisions and practices at the department level align with University policies and procedures.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Strategic Planning (15%):

--- Lead the department in developing and implementing a diversity, equity, and inclusion plan which focuses on recruitment, performance management, leadership development, employee engagement, training and employee retention.

--- Serve as a strategic leader and subject matter expert, creating and cultivating a common vision of Housing & Food Services' commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion that can be shared amongst staff

--- Advise in the development of departmental strategic initiatives focused on workforce diversity, equity, and inclusion.

--- Identify annual unit priorities, associated action plans and measures of success.

--- Develop and manage the unit budget, budget objectives and revisions.

Organizational Effectiveness (55%):

--- Deliver human resources (HR) services using efficient processes and best practices; coordinate the provision of HR-related resources and tools for Department staff.

--- Accurately interpret and apply University policies pertaining to human resources functions.

--- Serve as a consultant to colleagues regarding organizational changes and in developing staffing plans and labor expense budgets to ensure compensation, classification and labor relations issues are addressed proactively.

--- Effectively utilize the University human resources business system to meet position responsibilities, access data to inform decisions, and contribute to process improvements and efficiencies.

--- Provide leadership and guidance to staff who facilitate major human resources functions including the following:

oPerformance Management

-Administering the performance evaluation process to facilitate provision of accurate and timely feedback to employees.

-Administering the corrective action process to ensure that supervisors and staff are engaged in resolution of performance concerns and that issues are addressed in a timely manner.

-Analyzing risk and recommending alternatives for grievances and complaints to achieve prompt and constructive resolution.

-Working effectively with UW HR in developing appropriate and timely responses to employee performance concerns.

oTraining and Development

-Facilitating organizational development and learning.

-Working collaboratively with unit leaders to provide effective onboarding, required training and unit-specific training.

-Providing advisement on training, including venue, methodology and content to ensure the best possible learning environments.

-Devising and maintaining methods for evaluating training to facilitate ongoing refinement of objectives and methods.

oCompensation/Classification

-Reviewing and approving position descriptions before finalizing to ensure consistency in formatting, language and assignment of work to particular classifications.

-Developing and maintaining internal unit compensation schedules and rationale for documentation and reference.

-Reviewing and approving compensation and position review documentation for accuracy and completion prior to submission to maximize turnaround by UW Compensation.

oRecruitment

-Managing a comprehensive recruitment process for the Department that fosters diversity and inclusion in recruitment of candidates.

-Providing training and guidance on recruitment processes for hiring managers and others who participate in recruitment and selection activities.

-Seeking continuous improvement to reduce time to hire.

-Providing consultation on position vacancy reviews, recruitment timelines, interview processes and hiring negotiations.

oLabor Relations

-Serving as the primary Department resource for interpretation of contracts and employment policies, rules and laws to ensure compliance.

-Representing the interests of the Department in negotiating labor contracts, grievances and settlements to ensure that Department interests are represented accurately.

-Conducting investigations of employee complaints and prepare responses on behalf of the Department.

oEmployee Benefits

-Administering Return-to-Work programs to ensure fairness and equity.

-Monitoring worker compensation claims to ensure there is follow up when patterns or recurrences are detected.

-Approving requests for reasonable accommodation, light duty and returns to work to ensure that they are reasonable and operational.

-Liaising with UW HR on disability separations to ensure the necessary documentation is available to complete the process in a timely manner.

oRecords and Information

-Administering access to UW HR systems to ensure the appropriate staff have access to the appropriate level(s) of information.

-Ensuring compliance with University policies for records and information handling and retention.

Leadership (20%):

--- Identify, articulate and model values and behaviors that support an organizational culture characterized as inclusive, positive, productive and committed to serving students.

--- Advise other senior leaders on strategies for infusing diversity, equity, and inclusion into unit practices, policies, and team development.

--- Serve as a member of the Department's senior leadership team.

--- Serve as sponsor of the departmental DEI Committee.

--- Maintain relationships with campus colleagues and stakeholders, including UW HR units, to facilitate collaboration and sharing of best practices.

--- Advise the Executive Director on strategies for addressing organizational culture issues that hinder employee satisfaction.

--- Represent the Department on various University committees and direct or serve on Department committees and teams.

Supervision (10%):

--- Supervise the work completed by direct reports, ensuring appropriate productivity and quality.

--- Evaluate the work completed by direct reports and provide constructive feedback so as to support success.

--- Provide guidance to direct reports on requirements and/or opportunities for learning and professional development.

Perform other duties as assigned.

IMPACT TO THE UNIVERSITY

Sound human resources practices minimize liability for the Department and the University and contribute to success through qualified staff who are effective in delivering services to students, staff and the campus community.

POSITION COMPLEXITIES

This position must accurately interpret contracts and policies and make decisions based on these interpretations. This position also engages in investigations pertaining to work performance, grievances and complaints and must do so in a manner that is thorough; confidential; adheres to policies and protocols; and leads to timely, effective resolution.

WORKING CONDITIONS

Position works typical business hours Monday through Friday and occasional evenings and weekends to attend/participate in special events.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

Direct supervision of three full-time professional staff and indirectly supervises one full-time professional staff, one full-time contract-classified staff, and several hourly office assistants.

REPORTS TO

Executive Director, Housing & Food Services

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Bachelor's degree in related field and 5 years of experience in human resources leadership that demonstrates:

--- Specific experience in advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion in a higher education setting;

--- The ability to work effectively in a large organization or educational institution;

--- Effective supervision of professional and technical human resources staff;

--- Exceptional communications skills including public speaking and facilitation of training;

--- The ability to assess internal and external customer needs and respond effectively;

--- Accurate interpretation and application of employment laws, regulations, policies and contract stipulations;

--- An understanding of national trends and current best practices related to human resources in higher education;

--- A basic understanding of adult learning principles and curriculum design; and

--- The ability to identify and develop key relationships/partnerships necessary to carry out position responsibilities.

Equivalent education and/or experience may substitute for minimum requirements.

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS

--- Master's degree in human resource development, adult education, organizational development or other related field;

--- Demonstrated experience creating strategic plans for organizational development;

--- Demonstrated experience working with a variety of stakeholders to effect change, collaborate, and resolve complex issues.

CONDITION OF EMPLOYMENT

--- A satisfactory outcome from the employment reference check processes and education verification.

Application Process:

The application process for UW positions may include completion of a variety of online assessments to obtain additional information that will be used in the evaluation process. These assessments may include Work Authorization, Cover Letter and/or others. Any assessments that you need to complete will appear on your screen as soon as you select "Apply to this position". Once you begin an assessment, it must be completed at that time; if you do not complete the assessment, you will be prompted to do so the next time you access your "My Jobs" page. If you select to take it later, it will appear on your "My Jobs" page to take when you are ready. Please note that your application will not be reviewed, and you will not be considered for this position until all required assessments have been completed.

Applicants considered for this position will be required to disclose if they are the subject of any substantiated findings or current investigations related to sexual misconduct at their current employment and past employment. Disclosure is required under Washington state law.

Committed to attracting and retaining a diverse staff, the University of Washington will honor your experiences, perspectives and unique identity. Together, our community strives to create and maintain working and learning environments that are inclusive, equitable and welcoming.

The University of Washington is a leader in environmental stewardship & sustainability, and committed to becoming climate neutral.

The University of Washington is an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, age, protected veteran or disabled status, or genetic information.

To request disability accommodation in the application process, contact the Disability Services Office at 206-543-6450 or dso@uw.edu.

COVID-19 VACCINATION REQUIREMENT

Employees of the University of Washington are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 unless a medical or religious exemption is approved. Being fully vaccinated means that an individual is at least two weeks past their final dose of an authorized COVID-19 vaccine regimen. As a condition of employment, newly hired employees will be required to provide proof of their COVID-19 vaccination. View the Final candidate guide to COVID-19 vaccination requirement webpage for information about the medical or religious exemption process for final candidates.

Keywords: University of Washington, Seattle , DIRECTOR FOR HUMAN RESOURCES & DEI, Human Resources , Seattle, Washington