Director of Human Resources

ADA Forsyth Institute, INC; Somerville (MA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

ADA Forsyth Institute, INC seeks an experienced Director of Human Resources to lead the HR function across research, clinical, educational, and administrative operations. The role blends strategic advisory work with hands-on operations, guiding leadership on employee relations, performance management, recruitment, and policy development.

Reporting to senior leadership, you will oversee payroll, benefits administration, HRIS, and compliance with federal and Massachusetts laws, while fostering a

Qualifications

• . Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Organizational Development, or related field.
• . 7+ years of progressively responsible HR experience, including broad HR functions.
• . Hands-on HR leadership with strategic and operational balance.
• . Experience advising managers and leading employee relations.

Responsibilities

• Lead day-to-day HR operations and provide strategic guidance to senior leadership.
• Partner with executives on workforce planning, organizational priorities, and HR strategies.
• Advise managers on employee relations, performance management, and organizational changes.
• Oversee recruitment lifecycle for research, clinical, and administrative positions.
• Manage compensation processes in collaboration with leadership and Finance.
• Oversee HRIS administration, payroll, benefits, and compliance with laws.

Skills

HR leadership

Employee relations

Workforce planning

Regulatory compliance

Payroll

HRIS

Education

Bachelor's degree in Human Resources

Tools

MS Office

HRIS systems

Job description

Description

The ADA Forsyth Institute was founded in 1910 as the Forsyth Dental Infirmary for Children (later, the Forsyth Institute), to provide dental care to the disadvantaged children of Boston. While continuing to serve children in need, yet recognizing the ultimate goal is to prevent dental disease, the Institute in 1915 began to focus on scientific research and is today the world's leader in oral health research. In October of 2023, the Institute joined with the American Dental Association to form the ADA Forsyth Institute, a 501(c)(3) entity dedicated to improving people's oral and overall health and powering the profession of dentistry through cutting-edge basic research, creative translational science, innovative clinical technologies, and global public health outreach. Consistent with the Institute's founding mission, the ADA ForsythKids mobile dental program continues to serve children in need.

The ADA Forsyth Institute (AFI) is seeking an experienced, collaborative, and hands-on Director of Human Resources to lead the Institute's Human Resources function and support our research, clinical, educational, and administrative operations. This is an opportunity for an HR leader who enjoys being both strategic and hands-on. The Director will serve as a trusted advisor to senior leadership, faculty, managers, and employees while overseeing the day-to-day delivery of HR programs and services. The successful candidate will be comfortable moving between advising leadership on complex employee matters and managing the operational details necessary to keep the HR function running effectively. Working closely with leaders across AFI and the American Dental Association (ADA), the Director will help ensure that our HR practices support AFI's mission, organizational priorities, and commitment to a positive and inclusive workplace.

What You'll Do

As Director of Human Resources, you will lead a broad range of HR activities, including:

• Serve as the primary HR resource for AFI employees, faculty, and managers and provide leadership for the day-to-day HR function.


• Partner with executive leadership and department leaders on workforce needs, organizational priorities, and HR strategies.


• Advise and coach faculty and managers on employee relations, performance management, corrective action, organizational changes, staffing, compensation, and other employment matters.


• Manage sensitive employee relations matters and conduct or coordinate workplace investigations in partnership with leadership and Legal, as appropriate.


• Lead the annual performance management process and support managers in providing effective feedback, coaching, and employee development.


• Manage the full recruitment lifecycle for research, clinical, and administrative positions, including job development, compensation, recruitment strategy, candidate selection, and offers.


• Support workforce planning, organizational changes, promotions, transfers, succession planning, onboarding, and offboarding.


• Provide guidance on compensation decisions and coordinate annual merit and compensation processes in partnership with leadership and Finance.


• Support the administration of employee benefits and retirement programs in partnership with ADA and external vendors.


• Provide oversight and support for payroll-related HR processes and ensure employment changes are accurately and timely processed.


• Oversee HRIS administration and utilization, including employee records, onboarding, performance management, learning, and reporting.


• Develop, review, implement, and communicate HR policies, procedures, and practices.


• Ensure compliance with applicable federal and Massachusetts employment laws and regulations.


• Manage employee leaves and workplace accommodations, including FMLA, Massachusetts Paid Family and Medical Leave, and ADA accommodations.


• Coordinate employment-related immigration matters with employees, managers, and appropriate immigration resources.


• Develop and support employee engagement, recognition, communication, and organizational culture initiatives.


• Identify training and development needs and support leadership and manager development.


• Partner with Finance, Legal, IT, Research Administration, and other functions on cross-functional initiatives and employment matters.


• Use HR data and reporting to identify trends and support organizational decision-making.

What We're Looking For

The ideal candidate is an experienced HR professional who is comfortable serving as the senior HR leader for an organization while remaining actively involved in day-to-day HR operations. This role requires strong judgment, a practical and solutions-oriented approach, and the ability to build trusted relationships across all levels of the organization.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Organizational Development, or a related field; an equivalent combination of education and relevant experience will be considered.


• Minimum of 7 years of progressively responsible Human Resources experience, including significant experience independently managing a broad range of HR functions.


• Demonstrated ability to operate effectively in a hands-on HR leadership role while balancing strategic priorities with day-to-day HR operations.


• Demonstrated experience advising managers and