Director of Human Resources

Please note that the posting will close at midnight (12:00 AM) on the posting closing date.

DISTINGUISHING FEATURES OF THE CLASS:

The Director of Human Resources provides strategic and operational leadership for the core administrative functions of the Human Resources department at the College. This role ensures the accurate, compliant, and employee-centered delivery of payroll and compensation administration, benefits and leave management, and HR information systems (HRIS) business processes in support of a diverse, multi-campus workforce. The position serves as a steward of operational excellence, internal controls, and risk management while promoting a consistent, transparent, and supportive employee experience across all day-to-day HR operational services.

In partnership with HR leadership and campus stakeholders, the Director leads continuous improvement efforts to streamline processes, strengthen system functionality, enhance compliance, and improve service delivery. The role balances technical expertise, regulatory rigor, and service orientation to ensure HR operations effectively support employees, supervisors, and the long-term goals of the College.

TYPICAL WORK ACTIVITIES:

• Ensure payroll, benefits, leave, and HR systems support are delivered in a timely, accurate, and employee-centered manner.
• Establish service standards, workflows, and communication practices that promote clarity, consistency, and trust.
• Serve as an escalation point for complex operational issues, ensuring thoughtful resolution and clear follow-up.
• Continuously evaluate employee-facing HR operational processes to improve the employee experience.
• Oversee payroll operations to ensure accurate and timely compensation for all employee groups.
• Administer compensation processes in alignment with collective bargaining agreements, civil service rules, and institutional policy.
• Partner with Finance and Budget to ensure alignment between payroll activity, labor budgets, and institutional controls.
• Ensure compliance with wage and hour laws, retirement system requirements, and audit standards.
• Direct administration of health insurance, retirement plans, and voluntary benefits.
• Oversee leave administration, including FMLA, Paid Family Leave, ADA-related leaves, and contractual leave provisions.
• Serve as subject-matter expert for complex benefits, leave, and retirement matters.
• Manage vendor relationships to ensure service quality and compliance.
• Serve as the functional owner of HR operational modules within the College's HRIS, with preferred experience using Workday or a comparable enterprise system.
• Lead HR business process design, documentation, testing, and continuous improvement efforts.
• Partner with IT and Finance on system integrations, security roles, reporting, and data governance.
• Ensure HR data integrity, audit readiness, and reliable reporting.
• Ensure HR operational practices comply with applicable laws, regulations, SUNY/state requirements, and collective bargaining agreements.
• Support labor-management processes through consistent, equitable application of policies and procedures.
• Lead or support audits related to payroll, benefits, leave, and HR systems.
• Lead and develop HR Operations staff, emphasizing service excellence, accountability, and continuous improvement.
• Collaborate with Talent Management, Employee Relations, Finance, IT, and campus leadership to ensure coordinated HR service delivery across all campuses.
• Performs other duties as assigned to support evolving institutional priorities and the operational needs of the College and the Human Resources department.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES:

• Comprehensive knowledge of human resources operations with demonstrated expertise in payroll administration, compensation practices, benefits and leave management, and HR information systems in a complex organization.
• Thorough understanding of federal, state, and local employment laws and regulations, including wage and hour requirements, leave laws, retirement systems, and benefits compliance, with the ability to ensure institutional adherence.
• Working knowledge of collective bargaining agreements, civil service rules, and public-sector HR practices, and the ability to apply contractual and regulatory requirements accurately and consistently.
• Demonstrated ability to lead HR operational services that are both compliant and employee-centered, balancing technical rigor with responsiveness, clarity, and support.
• Proficiency in HRIS-supported business processes, with preferred experience using Workday or a comparable enterprise system, including functional ownership of payroll, benefits, and leave workflows.
• Strong capability in designing, documenting, and continuously improving HR business processes to enhance accuracy, efficiency, internal controls, and the employee experience.
• Ability to communicate complex policies, contractual provisions, and regulatory requirements clearly to employees, supervisors, union representatives, and senior leadership.
• Demonstrated leadership skill in supervising, coaching, and developing staff while setting clear expectations for service excellence, accountability, and continuous improvement.
• Ability to exercise sound judgment, discretion, and confidentiality in the handling of sensitive employee, payroll, and benefits information.
• Proven ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines in a highly regulated, deadline-driven environment without compromising accuracy or service quality.
• Capacity to build effective working relationships with Finance, Information Technology, Employee Relations, and campus leadership to ensure coordinated and consistent HR service delivery.
• Ability to support institutional priorities by aligning HR operational practices with strategic goals, risk management standards, and long-term organizational needs.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Minimum of a Master's degree in HR, Business Administration, Personnel Administration or closely related field;
• Minimum of five (5) years progressive HR experience with significant responsibility in payroll, benefits, HR operations, or HR systems at a successful company, public sector employer, or institution of higher education.
• Experience in a complex, regulated, or unionized environment.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• SPHR, PHR or SHRM certification
• Experience using Workday HR, Payroll, or Benefits modules, preferably in public sector or higher education.
• Experience leading HR process improvement initiatives.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

Official transcripts will be required for successful candidates within 30 days of hire.

Contact Human Resources at (716) 851-1840 with any questions.