Associate Director of Human Resources and Faculty Affairs

University of South Carolina; Columbia (SC); On-site; USD 64,000 - 95,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health and Life Insurance

Retirement Programs

Paid Tuition

Dependent Scholarships

Annual Leave

Sick Leave

13 Paid Holidays

Paid Parental Leave

Professional Development Opportunities

Job summary

University of South Carolina is seeking an Associate Director of Human Resources and Faculty Affairs to lead HR operations within the McCausland College of Arts and Sciences. This role oversees faculty and staff actions, policies, and workforce management for 50+ units, supervising the HR team and ensuring policy compliance across the college.

The position partners with campus HR, payroll, and employee relations to optimize services, while guiding administrators on recruitment, performance, and

Qualifications

• Requires a bachelor’s degree in a job related field and 5 or more years of job related experience.
• Experience in higher education HR is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Provides leadership and oversight for daily HR operations within the College, ensuring compliance with policies.
• Oversees recruitment and hiring across the College, guiding search committees and staffing decisions.
• Directly supervises the College’s HR Managers and staff, coaching and developing talent.
• Provides consultation on employee relations, performance management, and policy interpretation.
• Leads HR training, onboarding, and development programs, supporting policy implementation.
• Supports the Director with research, reporting, and special HR projects for strategic decisions.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Interpersonal skills

Policy knowledge

Time management

Supervision

Education

Bachelor's degree

5+ years experience

Job description

Associate Director of Human Resources and Faculty Affairs

The Associate Director of Human Resources and Faculty Affairs serves as the operational leader for human resources administration within the McCausland College of Arts and Sciences and supports the Director in the overall management of the Office of Human Resources and Faculty Affairs. The position provides oversight of faculty/staff hiring, personnel actions, human capital management processes, and day-to-day HR operations for more than 50 academic and administrative units within the College. The Associate Director directly supervises the College’s HR team and ensures the consistent application of university, state, and federal policies and procedures. Working collaboratively with the Director of Human Resources and Faculty Affairs, the Associate Director provides guidance and consultation to administrators, managers, department leaders, and supervisors regarding faculty/staff employment matters, recruitment strategies, position management, organizational structure, compensation actions, employee relations, and performance management. The Associate Director promotes operational efficiency, compliance, consistency, and exceptional customer service in support of the College’s academic and administrative mission. The position provides continuity of leadership for the Office of Human Resources and Faculty Affairs and serves as the Director’s designee on assigned matters to ensure uninterrupted support for College leadership, departments, faculty, and staff.

Posting Details

• USC Market Range: MRH - $63,557 $79,446 $95,336
• Anticipated Hiring Range: Salary commensurate with qualifications.
• State Pay Range: G10
• Location: Columbia, Richland County, SC
• Campus: Columbia
• Work County: Richland
• College/Division: College of Arts and Sciences
• Department: CAS College of Arts and Sciences
• Salary: State Pay Range G10; USC Market Range MRH - $63,557 $79,446 $95,336
• Part/Full Time: Full Time
• Hours per Week: 37.5
• Work Schedule: Monday through Friday, 8:30 am – 5:00 pm.
• Must be willing to work a flexible schedule to meet the needs of the department.
• Basis: 12 months

Benefits

• Health and Life Insurance
• Retirement Programs
• Paid Tuition
• Dependent Scholarships
• Annual Leave
• Sick Leave
• 13 Paid Holidays (including an extended December holiday)
• Paid Parental Leave
• Professional Development Opportunities

Job Related Minimum Required Education and Experience

• Requires a bachelor’s degree in a job related field and 5 or more years of job related experience, which may be substituted by an equivalent combination of job related certification, training, education, and/or experience.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working in human resources in higher education is preferred.

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities

• Demonstrated ability to provide effective leadership, supervision, and guidance to professional staff in a complex organizational environment.
• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to foster collaboration and work effectively with a diverse workforce at all levels of the College and University.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, including the ability to prepare, review, and edit complex documents with accuracy and attention to detail.
• Proven organizational and time management skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities, meet deadlines, and adapt to frequent interruptions.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with demonstrated initiative, independent judgment, and creativity in identifying process improvements and developing solutions.
• Comprehensive knowledge of University, state, and federal policies and procedures governing human resources and faculty affairs, or the ability to acquire such knowledge quickly.
• Commitment to high standards of customer service, confidentiality, and compliance.

Job Duties

Job Duty 1 (25%)

Provides leadership and oversight for daily human resources operations within the College. Oversees faculty/staff personnel actions and Human Capital Management (HCM) transactions to ensure accuracy, timeliness, consistency, and compliance with university, state, and federal policies and procedures. Reviews and approves personnel actions, position management requests, funding changes, organizational updates, and other HR transactions as needed. Serves as a primary resource for HR Managers and unit administrators regarding complex HR matters and operational concerns. Coordinates with University Human Resources, Payroll, Employee Relations, Academic Affairs, International Student and Scholar Support (ISSS), and other campus partners to ensure efficient and compliant HR operations. Exercises delegated authority on behalf of the Director for assigned HR and Faculty Affairs functions and serves as acting leader of the Office of Human Resources and Faculty Affairs during the Director’s absence.

Percentage of Time: 25%

Job Duty 2 (20%)

Oversees faculty/staff recruitment and hiring processes across the College. Guides hiring managers, department administrators, and search committees regarding recruitment strategies, position development, classification reviews, search procedures, interviewing practices, and hiring recommendations. Reviews job descriptions, staffing requests, and personnel actions to ensure alignment with operational needs, organizational goals, and compliance requirements. Monitors recruitment activity and workforce needs throughout the College and assists leadership with workforce planning and staffing recommendations. Ensures consistency and compliance in faculty/staff employment actions across all College units.

Percentage of Time: 20%

Job Duty 3 (25%)

Directly supervises the College’s HR Managers, HR Training Manager, HR Consultant, and other assigned personnel. Establishes priorities, assigns work, monitors productivity, evaluates performance, and provides coaching, mentorship, and professional development opportunities. Promotes collaboration, accountability, customer service, and consistent interpretation and application of policies and procedures. Oversees workflow management and ensures efficient delivery of HR services throughout the College. Serves as the primary coordinator and leader of the HR team to support College-wide human resources operations.

Percentage of Time: 25%

Job Duty 4 (10%)

Provides consultation and guidance to supervisors and administrators regarding employee relations concerns, workplace issues, performance management, corrective actions, and policy interpretation. Collaborates with the Director and University Employee Relations staff to address complex personnel matters and ensure compliance with applicable laws, regulations, and university policies. Oversees administration of the EPMS process and other faculty/staff evaluation activities to ensure timely completion, consistency, and compliance. Assists with conflict resolution efforts and supports managers in fostering positive and productive work environments. Maintains confidentiality and exercises sound judgment in handling sensitive personnel matters.

Percentage of Time: 10%

Job Duty 5 (10%)

Provides oversight and guidance for HR-related training initiatives, onboarding programs, employee development efforts, and administrative resources across the College. Collaborates with the HR Training Manager to assess training needs, develop educational resources, and implement programs that support compliance and operational effectiveness. Evaluates HR processes and workflows, identifies opportunities for improvement, and implements efficiencies that enhance service delivery, consistency, accountability, and customer service. Serves as backup I-9 Administrator and supports implementation of new policies, procedures, and HR initiatives.

Percentage of Time: 10%

Job Duty 6 (5%)

Supports the Director, Dean, Assistant Dean for Finance and Operations, and College leadership through research, reporting, analysis, and special projects related to human resources operations, staffing, workforce planning, organizational effectiveness, and policy implementation. Represents the Office of Human Resources and Faculty Affairs on committees, workgroups, meetings, and initiatives as assigned or delegated by the Director. Provides recommendations and operational insight to support strategic decision-making.

Percentage of Time: 5%

Job Duty 7 (5%)

Contributes to the overall success of the McCausland College of Arts and Sciences by performing other related duties and responsibilities as assigned.

Percentage of Time: 5%

Position Attributes

Employees in Safety-Sensitive or Security-Sensitive positions will be subject to pre-employment and post-employment drug testing in accordance with University policy HR 1.95 Drug and Alcohol Testing.

Posting Detail Information

• Number of Vacancies: 1
• Job Open Date: 08/13/2026
• Job Close Date: 09/26/2026
• Open Until Filled: No
• Desired Start Date:
• Special Instructions to Applicant: The University of South Carolina offers a valuable benefits package including but not limited to: Health and Life Insurance; Retirement Programs; Paid Tuition; Dependent Scholarships; Annual Leave; Sick Leave; 13 Paid Holidays (including an extended December holiday); Paid Parental Leave; Professional Development Opportunities.

EEO Statement

The University of South Carolina does not discriminate in educational or employment opportunities or decisions for qualified persons on the basis of age, ancestry, citizenship status, color, disability, ethnicity, familial status, gender (including transgender), gender identity or expression, genetic information, HIV/AIDs status, military status, national origin, pregnancy, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, veteran status, or any other bases under federal, state, local law, or regulations.

Supplemental Questions

1. Do you have at least a bachelor's degree in a job related field and 5 or more years of job related experience, which may be substituted by an equivalent combination of job related certification, training, education, and/or experience?
   • Yes
   • No

Applicant Documents

1. Cover Letter
2. Resume
3. List of References and Contact Information

Optional Documents