Director for Work Life Engagement (HR)

Anderson University; Anderson (IN); On-site; USD 90,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Full university benefits package (med,

Dental and vision insurance

Retirement plan

Job summary

Anderson University seeks a Director for Work Life Engagement to lead the University’s human resources function, blending strategic leadership with hands-on payroll and reporting responsibilities. The role guides employment practices, workforce strategy, and culture in alignment with the Faithful Campus mission.

The candidate will oversee employee relations, compensation, payroll, benefits, student employment, Title IX coordination, and HR systems while advancing people practices across the

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in HR, Business Admin, Organizational Leadership, or related field.
• 5+ years of HR experience at Manager or Director level.
• SPHR or SHRM Certification is desired.
• Broad HR knowledge across employee relations, payroll, benefits, compliance, and HR systems.

Responsibilities

• Advise University leaders on employee relations, policy interpretation, performance management, compensation, and employment practices.
• Lead and develop the Work Life Engagement team and HR processes.
• Provide hands-on payroll support including monthly/bi-weekly payroll, special pays, adjustments, and reconciliations.
• Coordinate institutional reporting (IPEDS HR, Federal Work Study), audits, and regulatory submissions.

Skills

HR leadership

Employee relations

Payroll

Benefits administration

Regulatory compliance

Paycom

Policy interpretation

Strategic thinking

Communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree in HR / related field

Tools

Paycom

Job description

Job Details: Job Location: Main Campus - Anderson, IN 46012, Position Type: Full Time, Education Level: Graduate Degree, Job Category: Education, Anderson University is seeking an experienced, collaborative, and highly engaged Director for Work Life Engagement to lead the University’s human resource function.

This is a unique opportunity for an HR leader who enjoys both strategic thinking and hands‑on execution. The Director serves as a key resource to University leaders and supervisors, providing thoughtful HR guidance, identifying solutions, shaping employment practices and workforce strategy, and helping advance the University’s Faithful Campus strategy by aligning employee culture, engagement, leadership development, and workplace practices with Anderson University’s mission. At the same time, this is a working Director role requiring strong attention to detail and a willingness to personally engage in payroll, reporting, reconciliations, audits, and other operational HR responsibilities.

This role is well suited for an HR professional who enjoys being close to the work—someone who can help shape direction, offer solutions, and provide leadership while also rolling up their sleeves to ensure critical HR and payroll processes are completed accurately and on time.

The Director provides leadership across employee relations, compensation, payroll, benefits, student employment and Federal Work Study, leave administration, Title IX, employment compliance, HR systems, reporting, training, and employee engagement.

Key responsibilities include:

• Advise University leaders and supervisors on employee relations, workforce issues, policy interpretation, performance management, compensation, and employment practices.
• Serve as a key partner in advancing Anderson University’s developing Faithful Campus strategy, helping connect mission, culture, employee engagement, leadership practices, and organizational priorities.
• Lead and develop the Work Life Engagement team while establishing effective, efficient HR processes.
• Provide direct “hands on” operational support for monthly and bi-weekly payroll, including special pays, adjunct compensation, payroll review, corrections, and post-payroll reconciliation.
• Complete and coordinate recurring institutional and regulatory reporting, including Federal Work Study reconciliation and reporting, IPEDS HR reporting, annual audits, workforce reporting, and other required submissions.
• Provide oversight of Paycom and partner closely with the HRIS/Benefits Manager, who serves as the department’s primary Paycom administrator and technical expert.
• Provide leadership and oversight for employee benefit programs while maintaining sufficient plan knowledge to resolve complex issues and support benefit strategy.
• Oversee student employment and Federal Work Study, including compliance, supervisor guidance, communications, and student employment marketing.
• Serve as Title IX Co-Coordinator in partnership with the Dean of Students.
• Support employee engagement, organizational culture, supervisor development, policy development, and change-management initiatives.
• Ensure compliance with applicable employment, wage and hour, leave, work authorization, and other regulatory requirements.

The successful candidate will be equally comfortable thinking strategically, advising leaders, solving complex HR issues, and working directly in the details.

Qualifications: What We’re Looking For

• A bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Organizational Leadership, or a related field.
• At least five years of progressively responsible human resources experience at the Manager or Director level.
• SPHR or SHRM Certification is desired.
• Broad HR knowledge across employee relations, payroll, compensation, benefits, compliance, and HR systems.
• Strong analytical, organizational, and problem‑solving skills.
• A high degree of accuracy and comfort working with payroll, data, reporting, reconciliations, and deadlines.
• The ability to move comfortably between strategic conversations and detailed operational work.
• Strong communication skills, sound judgment, discretion, and a collaborative leadership style.
• Ability to work collaboratively across the University to strengthen a campus culture in which employees understand how their work supports Anderson University’s Christian mission and broader institutional goals.
• Commitment to the mission and values of Anderson University.
• A belief in and commitment to Jesus Christ and the Christian faith. They should possess a vitality of Christian experience that is maturing in insight and application and meet the University’s lifestyle expectations.

Higher education experience is strongly preferred. Experience with Paycom is also highly desirable. Experience with student employment, Federal Work Study, institutional reporting, payroll administration, or Title IX would be especially valuable.

Benefits:

The position is a 100% FTE full-time position and is provided the full university benefit package which includes: medical, dental, vision, long-term disability, life insurance, health savings account, flexible spending account, retirement, and remitted tuition for self, spouse and dependent children, free access to the university wellness center for self, spouse and dependent children, and free parking among other benefits.