Assistant HR Director, Academic Human Resources

IMDiversity; Ann Arbor (MI); Hybrid; USD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

The Assistant HR Director, Academic HR at the University of Michigan’s Ross School of Business provides leadership for the Academic HR function across faculty, lecturers, and graduate student employees. You will advise the HR Director and school leaders on complex HR matters, manage CBAs, and lead process improvements to reduce administrative burden.

This hybrid role requires 3 days on-site in Ann Arbor, MI, with a focus on data-driven decisions, technology-enabled workflows, and a strong

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a related field required.
• 8+ years of human resources experience in faculty affairs or management consulting.
• Experience with collective bargaining agreements and managing union grievances.
• Proven track record leading HR process improvement initiatives.
• Experience managing HR staff and work authorization processes.
• Proficiency with MS Office and Google Workspace; knowledge of employment laws.

Responsibilities

• Provide leadership and oversight of the full faculty HR lifecycle.
• Advise on recruitment, appointments, promotions, leaves, and performance matters.
• Interpret policies and CBAs to handle complex Academic HR situations.
• Lead continuous improvement of Academic HR processes and workflows.
• Evaluate and implement technology-enabled solutions for HR operations.
• Use data reporting to inform school leadership and workforce decisions.
• Manage lecturer and graduate student employee CBAs and grievances.
• Lead two HR Generalists and support their development.
• Participate in university initiatives on faculty policy and workforce planning.

Skills

HR leadership

CBA experience

Grievance handling

Staff management

Policy compliance

Work authorization

Office suite proficiency

Education

Bachelor's degree in a related field

Tools

Microsoft Office

Google Workspace

Job description

Assistant HR Director, Academic Human Resources

Job Summary
The Assistant HR Director, Academic HR provides leadership and strategic direction for the Academic HR function at the Ross School of Business, supporting the full faculty employment lifecycle for faculty, lecturers, and graduate student employees. You will serve as a key advisor to the HR Director, Senior Associate Dean for Faculty and Research, Academic Area Chairs, and other school leaders on complex faculty HR matters, including appointments, compensation, promotions, leaves, performance matters, collective bargaining agreements, and faculty transitions. You will lead the design, administration, and continuous improvement of Academic HR processes and systems, focusing on creating efficient, accurate, scalable, and user-centered practices. You will use technology, data, automation, and strong process design to reduce administrative burden, strengthen controls, improve access to information, and enhance the experience of faculty and academic leaders.

This role is hybrid with on-site expectations 3 days/week in Ann Arbor, MI. For a full job description, see link here. For questions about this role, email [e-mail].

Responsibilities*

• Provide leadership and oversight of the full faculty HR lifecycle, ensuring efficiency and compliance with institutional policies, best practices, and collective bargaining agreements.
• Partner closely with the Senior Associate Dean for Faculty and Research, acting as a trusted advisor on all faculty-related HR matters, including recruitment, appointments, promotion and tenure, faculty reviews, performance management, leaves, and departures.
• Interpret and apply University policies, school practices, collective bargaining agreements, and other requirements to complex Academic HR situations
• Identify emerging issues, operational risks, or areas requiring leadership attention and proactively develop recommendations and solutions
• Lead continuous improvement of Academic HR processes, systems, and workflows, identifying opportunities to simplify work, strengthen controls, improve accuracy, and reduce administrative burden.
• Evaluate and implement technology-enabled solutions, including workflow automation and appropriate use of emerging technologies, to improve Academic HR Operations.
• Use data and reporting to identify trends, monitor Academic HR activity, support workforce decisions, and provide meaningful information to school leadership.
• Serve as the primary point of contact on the lecturer and graduate student employee collective bargaining agreements (CBA). As the subject matter expert, ensure compliance with terms and conditions, and resolve any CBA-related questions or issues.
• Manage and resolve union grievances and complaints, collaborating closely with the central Academic HR department and union representatives to ensure fair and timely resolution.
• Lead, coach, and develop two HR Generalists, providing guidance, mentorship, and support in managing their day-to-day responsibilities. Clarify responsibilities, priorities, performance expectations, and professional development.
• Lead or contribute to school-wide and University initiatives involving faculty policy, academic workforce planning, data governance, organizational effectiveness, and faculty support.
• Represent Ross in University-wide Academic HR meetings, working groups, and initiatives and communicate relevant changes and implications to Ross stakeholders.

Required Qualifications*

• Bachelor's degree in a related field
• 8+ years of human resources experience, working in faculty affairs and/or management consulting.
• Experience working with collective bargaining agreements and managing union grievances
• Previous experience leading HR process improvement initiatives
• Previous experience managing HR staff
• Previous work experience in work authorization processes
• Demonstrated proficiency with Microsoft Office and Google Workspace applications
• Working knowledge of relevant federal and state employment laws