Director of Human Resources, CCAPS

University of Minnesota; Minneapolis (MN); On-site; USD 130,000 - 140,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Tuition benefit program

Retirement plans

PSLF opportunity

Job summary

University of Minnesota's College of Continuing and Professional Studies (CCAPS) seeks a Director of Human Resources to lead all HR functions, aligning programs with institutional goals and ensuring legal compliance. The role partners with central HR, GC, and DEI to build an inclusive culture and robust talent strategies.

Based on St. Paul campus with travel to East Bank, the position emphasizes strategy, operations, and high-touch service delivery to all CCAPS employees, including labor

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or related field
• Eight years of professional HR experience, including supervisory responsibilities
• Working knowledge of employment laws, labor relations, HR practices, and compliance requirements
• Demonstrated leadership and ability to influence at all organizational levels
• Experience in strategic planning, project management, and organizational development
• Exceptional interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills
• Commitment to fostering inclusive excellence and building community in the workplace

Responsibilities

• Strategic Planning (40%) Lead assessment, planning, development, and execution of CCAP's HR strategies.
• Collaborate with senior leadership to establish fair compensation strategies supporting recruitment, retention, equity, merit, and awards.
• Partner on workforce planning, organizational design, succession planning, and change management aligned with CCAPS priorities.
• Develop an employee engagement plan that fosters an inclusive, collaborative, high-performing culture.
• Lead creation and communication of HR analytics and reporting to guide policy.

Skills

Strategic planning

Leadership

Employee relations

Communication skills

HR compliance

Talent acquisition

Education

Bachelor's degree in HR/Business

Master's degree in HR or related field (preferred)

Tools

PeopleSoft

Job description

About the Job

Director of Human Resources, College of Continuing and Professional Studies (CCAPS)
Classification: 9352HR

Position Overview
CCAPS is a college with a broad range of programs that provide pathways to the university, serving learners from high school students, English language learners, post-traditional degree seekers, employed professionals, and lifelong learners. The college has a rich history of supporting workforce development through market-responsive, professional programs taught by practitioner faculty, and a focus on expanding access to higher education with campus-based, hybrid, and online programs.

The Director of Human Resources leads the college\'s overall HR function, driving strategy and operations across talent acquisition and retention, performance management, employee and labor relations, compensation, and compliance. Serving as a trusted partner to college leadership, the Director aligns HR programs with institutional goals to cultivate an inclusive culture rooted in diversity, equity, and belonging. This role oversees local HR services, builds strong cross-functional relationships, and works in close partnership with University Central HR, leveraging their expertise while providing strategic HR leadership for CCAPS. The Director collaborates closely with the Office of General Counsel, ODEI, and other key institutional partners to ensure legal compliance and high-quality service delivery. The Director of Human Resources also reports through a dotted line to the University\'s Vice President of Human Resources.

Location and Work environment: Position is located on the St. Paul campus and requires deep collaboration with university HR leaders and travel to the East Bank Campus. Expected to be in the office Monday through Thursday.

Work Schedule: Typical business hours, Monday through Friday. May require support for college events, which may be scheduled for early evenings.

Responsibilities

• Strategic Planning (40%) Lead the assessment, planning, development, and execution of CCAP\'s short-term and long-term human resources strategies, including anticipating emerging issues and trends.
• Collaborate with the senior college leadership team to establish fair and sustainable compensation strategies and processes to support effective recruitment, retention, equity, merit, and awards.
• Partner with college leadership on workforce planning, organizational design, succession planning, and change management initiatives aligned with the college\'s strategic priorities.
• Develop a comprehensive employee engagement plan that fosters an inclusive, collaborative, and high-performing culture and a sense of belonging and community within the college.
• Lead the creation, analysis, and communication of collegiate HR analytics and reporting to inform talent strategies, track trends, and guide policy implementation.

• Consulting (25%) Consult with managers on HR issues, including compensation and classification, talent acquisition, change management, workforce and succession planning.
• Coach and empower managers and supervisors on employee development, performance management strategies, and constructive goal-setting.
• Advise leaders on resolving complex workplace conflicts.

• HR Operations (25%) Manage and direct a high-performing, service-oriented HR function that provides quality support to all employees.
• Promote and ensure compliance with employment laws, University policies, contracts and rules to mitigate risks.
• Establish college-wide HR policies and guidelines that support fair and equitable treatment of all employees.
• Develop and execute efficient HR processes to maximize productivity, retention and engagement.
• Establish HR governance, service standards, workflow documentation, and continuous process improvements to ensure consistent and effective HR service delivery across the college.
• Create training, guidance, and oversight of all HR activities performed across the college.

• Employee and Labor Relations (10%) Manage employee and labor relations, including investigations, grievances, problem-solving, and conflict management.
• Identify ELR trends and proactively offer solutions to mitigate risks and improve employee morale.
• Maintain approachability and availability to all employees.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor\'s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or related field
• Eight years of professional HR experience, including supervisory responsibilities
• Working knowledge of employment laws, labor relations, HR practices, and compliance requirements
• Demonstrated leadership and ability to influence at all organizational levels
• Experience in strategic planning, project management, and organizational development
• Exceptional interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills
• Commitment to fostering inclusive excellence and building community in the workplace

Preferred Qualifications

• Master\'s degree in Human Resources, Organizational Development, or related field
• PHR, SPHR, SHRM-SCP, or equivalent HR certification
• Experience in higher education or large, complex organizations
• Experience with HR systems (e.g., PeopleSoft) and technological tools for HR management
• Skills in change management, conflict resolution, and employee engagement strategies

Pay and Benefits

Pay Range: $130,000 - $140,000 per year; depending on education/qualifications/experience

Time Appointment: 100% Appointment

Position Type: Faculty and P&A Staff

Please visit the Office of Human Resources website for more information regarding benefit eligibility.

The University offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

• Competitive wages, paid holidays, and generous time off
• Continuous learning opportunities through professional training and degree-seeking programs supported by the Regents Tuition Benefit Program
• Low-cost medical, dental, and pharmacy plans
• Healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts
• University HSA contributions
• Disability and employer-paid life insurance
• Employee wellbeing program
• Excellent retirement plans with employer contribution
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) opportunity
• Financial counseling services
• Employee Assistance Program with eight sessions of counseling at no cost
• Employee Transit Pass with free or reduced rates in the Twin Cities metro area

While our salary ranges provide a framework, it is important to note that most of the time, the initial pay may not reach the maximum of the range. This approach ensures that compensation reflects the value and unique contributions of each candidate while maintaining equity within our organization. As part of our commitment to fair and equitable compensation, please be aware that the salary offered to incoming candidates will be based on their individual credentials and experience.

Diversity

The University recognizes and values the importance of diversity and inclusion in enriching the employment experience of its employees and in supporting the academic mission. The University is committed to attracting and retaining employees with varying identities and backgrounds.

The University of Minnesota provides equal access to and opportunity in its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. To learn more about diversity at the U: http://diversity.umn.edu

Employment Requirements

Any offer of employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check. Our presumption is that prospective employees are eligible to work here. Criminal convictions do not automatically disqualify finalists from employment.

About University of Minnesota

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC) is among the largest public research universities in the country, offering undergraduate, graduate, and professional students a multitude of opportunities for study and research. Located at the heart of one of the nation\'s most vibrant, diverse metropolitan communities, students on the campuses in Minneapolis and St. Paul benefit from extensive partnerships with world-renowned health centers, international corporations, government agencies, and arts, nonprofit, and public service organizations.

At the University of Minnesota, we are proud to be recognized by Forbes as a Best Employer for Company Culture (2026), Best Employer for Women (2023), and Best Employer by State (2022-2026). In 2026, we also received Culture Excellence & Industry Awards recognition for employee appreciation and work-life flexibility.