Director of Human Resources

Stephens-College; Columbia Township (MO); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Stephens College is seeking a Director of Human Resources to lead HR for a small college community in Columbia, MO. You will partner with senior leadership to translate strategic priorities into HR programs, policies, and practices, overseeing employee relations, recruitment, performance management, compensation, benefits, compliance, and development.

Ideal candidate combines strategic perspective with hands-on leadership, values collaboration, integrity, and mission alignment, and will actively

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in human resources, business administration, organizational leadership, or a related field.
• At least seven years of progressively responsible human resources experience, including leadership or supervisory experience.
• Experience in employee relations, recruitment, performance management, HR compliance, and HR operations.
• Working knowledge of federal and state employment laws and regulations; excellent written, verbal, interpersonal, and organizational skills.
• Ability to handle confidential and sensitive matters with discretion and sound judgment.
• Ability to build effective working relationships with employees at all levels of an organization.

Responsibilities

• Serve as a senior HR advisor to college leadership, administrators, managers, faculty, and staff.
• Translate institutional priorities into effective HR strategies, programs, policies, and practices.
• Partner with EVP and senior leaders on workforce planning and organizational development.
• Help establish consistent, transparent, and service-oriented HR practices across the College.
• Represent Human Resources on institutional committees and initiatives as assigned.
• Provide guidance and coaching to managers and employees regarding workplace concerns, performance issues, conflict resolution, and employment practices.
• Investigate employee relations matters and recommend appropriate actions in consultation with college leadership and legal counsel when appropriate.
• Promote a positive, respectful, inclusive, and mission-centered workplace.
• Help managers develop effective approaches to communication, feedback, accountability, and employee development.
• Maintain appropriate confidentiality and documentation regarding sensitive personnel matters.
• Lead or oversee recruitment processes for staff and administrative positions.
• Promote effective and equitable hiring practices.
• Strengthen onboarding and orientation programs to help new employees become engaged and productive members of the College community.
• Develop strategies that support employee retention and workforce stability.
• Oversee and continuously improve the College’s performance management processes.
• Support managers in establishing clear expectations and providing meaningful feedback.
• Develop and coordinate professional development and leadership-development opportunities.
• Help identify opportunities for employee growth, career development, and succession planning.
• Promote a culture of continuous learning and accountability.
• Assist with the administration and ongoing evaluation of compensation programs.
• Support periodic review of salaries, job classifications, and position responsibilities.
• Help oversee employee benefits programs and relationships with benefits providers.
• Communicate benefits information effectively and accurately to employees.
• Provide executive oversight and have ultimate accountability of the payroll function, ensuring payroll is processed accurately, timely, and in compliance with applicable laws.

Skills

HR leadership

Employee relations

Recruitment

Performance management

HR compliance

HR operations

Employment law

Communication skills

Discretion

Relationship building

Education

Bachelor’s degree in HR or related field

Master’s degree preferred

Tools

Paylocity

CBIZ Centrally HR

Job description

• Location 1200 East Broadway,Columbia, MO, 65215,United States
• Job Category Higher Education, Human Resources
• Industry Higher Education, Human Resources
• Employee Type Exempt FT

Description

The Director of Human Resources is a member of the College’s administrative leadership team and serves as a strategic and operational partner in all areas of human resources.

Working closely with the Executive Vice President – Finance & Operations, President, Cabinet, faculty, and staff, the Director provides leadership for employee relations, talent acquisition, performance management, compensation and benefits, HR policies and procedures, compliance, professional development, and organizational effectiveness.

The ideal candidate will bring a combination of strategic perspective, sound HR expertise, strong interpersonal skills, and a willingness to be actively engaged in the day-to-day work of a small institution. The Director will help create a workplace culture in which employees feel valued, supported, accountable, and connected to the College’s mission.

• Serve as a senior HR advisor to college leadership, administrators, managers, faculty, and staff.
• Translate institutional priorities into effective HR strategies, programs, policies, and practices.
• Partner with the EVP and senior leaders on workforce planning and organizational development.
• Help establish consistent, transparent, and service-oriented HR practices across the College.
• Represent Human Resources on institutional committees and initiatives as assigned.

Employee Relations

• Provide guidance and coaching to managers and employees regarding workplace concerns, performance issues, conflict resolution, and employment practices.
• Investigate employee relations matters and recommend appropriate actions in consultation with college leadership and legal counsel when appropriate.
• Promote a positive, respectful, inclusive, and mission-centered workplace.
• Help managers develop effective approaches to communication, feedback, accountability, and employee development.
• Maintain appropriate confidentiality and documentation regarding sensitive personnel matters.

Talent Acquisition and Onboarding

• Lead or oversee recruitment processes for staff and administrative positions.
• Partner with hiring managers to develop position descriptions, recruitment strategies, interview processes, and selection criteria.
• Promote effective and equitable hiring practices.
• Strengthen onboarding and orientation programs to help new employees become engaged and productive members of the College community.
• Develop strategies that support employee retention and workforce stability.

Performance Management and Development

• Oversee and continuously improve the College’s performance management processes.
• Support managers in establishing clear expectations and providing meaningful feedback.
• Develop and coordinate professional development and leadership-development opportunities.
• Help identify opportunities for employee growth, career development, and succession planning.
• Promote a culture of continuous learning and accountability.

Compensation and Benefits

• Assist with the administration and ongoing evaluation of compensation programs.
• Support periodic review of salaries, job classifications, and position responsibilities.
• Help oversee employee benefits programs and relationships with benefits providers.
• Communicate benefits information effectively and accurately to employees.
• Provide executive oversight and have ultimate accountability of the organization’s payroll function, ensuring payroll is processed accurately, timely, and in compliance with applicable federal, state, and local laws, regulations, and organizational policies.

HR Compliance and Policy

• Help ensure compliance with applicable federal and Missouri employment laws and regulations.
• Maintain and periodically review employee handbooks, policies, procedures, and HR forms.
• Monitor regulatory developments and recommend policy or procedural changes when necessary.
• Maintain appropriate personnel records and documentation.
• Partner with legal counsel and College leadership on employment-related compliance and risk‑management matters.

HR Operations and Systems

• Oversee effective day-to-day HR operations and customer service.
• Ensure HR processes and systems are accurate, efficient, and appropriately confidential.
• Maintain and improve HR information systems and reporting capabilities.
• Develop workforce reports and metrics to support institutional decision‑making.
• Supervise, mentor, and develop HR staff as assigned.
• Assist in preparation and management of the Human Resources budget.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in human resources, business administration, organizational leadership, or a related field.
• At least seven years of progressively responsible human resources experience, including leadership or supervisory experience.
• Demonstrated experience in employee relations, recruitment, performance management, HR compliance, and HR operations.
• Working knowledge of federal and state employment laws and regulations.Excellent written, verbal, interpersonal, and organizational skills.
• Demonstrated ability to handle confidential and sensitive matters with discretion and sound judgment.
• Ability to build effective working relationships with employees at all levels of an organization.

Preferred

• Master’s degree in human resources, business administration, higher education administration, organizational development, or a related field.
• SHRM‑SCP, SPHR, or comparable professional certification.
• Experience working in higher education.
• Experience working in a small college, university, nonprofit, or other mission‑driven organization.
• Experience administering faculty contracts.
• Experience with HRIS implementation or optimization.
• Experience with Paylocity, CBIZ Centrally HR, or similar payroll platforms.
• Experience with organizational change, leadership development, and employee‑engagement initiatives.

Desired Leadership Characteristics

The successful candidate will be:

• Collaborative: Builds productive relationships across departments and organizational levels.
• Approachable: Creates an HR environment in which employees and managers feel comfortable seeking guidance.
• Strategic: Connects HR initiatives to institutional priorities and long‑term organizational needs.
• Hands‑on: Willing to personally engage in operational HR matters within a small‑college environment.
• Solutions‑oriented: Approaches complex employee and organizational issues thoughtfully and constructively.
• Trustworthy: Handles confidential information and sensitive situations with discretion and integrity.
• Mission‑focused: Understands and appreciates the unique role of a women’s college and its educational mission.
• Change‑oriented: Can help the College evolve its policies, practices, and organizational culture in response to changing workforce needs.
• Service‑minded: Views Human Resources as both a strategic partner and a resource for the campus community.

Summary

Stephens College began in 1833 with a belief that women deserved access to the power of education. Nearly two centuries later, that work is unfinished. Too many people who want to create, care, build, question, and act with purpose still lack the access or education that would empower them to lead. Stephens exists to widen the frame of possibility. Through personalized, experiential education rooted in care, mentorship, and professional engagement, Stephens turns learning into action and action into lasting impact.

That conviction takes shape in our Women's College, as well as our Conservatory for the Performing Arts and a portfolio of graduate programs, which accept all genders. It takes shape in Columbia, Missouri, a major college town whose professional, cultural, and civic life acts as an extension of the campus. And most importantly, it takes shape in our students, who find at Stephens a community that knows their name and talents, who feel empowered to speak up and take charge of their own education, and who, in turn, shape life on campus and in Columbia. Stephens students graduate ready not just for what the world will ask of them, but ready to shape what comes next.

Ranked as one of the best college towns in America, Columbia, Missouri, is home to 36,000+ college students and 118,000 residents. Columbia — conveniently located approximately 100 miles from both Kansas City and St. Louis — has it all: college sports, film, music and arts festivals, a thriving arts community, amazing recreation, and a historic downtown called The District. The Columbia community offers outstanding health care options, as well as excellent educational opportunities for every level of student (including The Children's School ).

Stephens is an Equal Opportunity Employer and will recruit and employ qualified personnel without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, or status as a veteran.