Director of Human Resources, Employee Experience

Davidson College; Davidson (NC); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Davidson College seeks an agile, hands-on Director, Employee Experience to serve as a key operational leader within HR. This role combines strategic thinking with practical oversight of modern HR operations, digital workflows, and an inclusive culture.

The Director will lead a small team, oversee end-to-end employee lifecycles, talent acquisition, employee relations and offboarding, and partner with stakeholders to elevate the employee experience across a diverse college community.

Qualifications

• 7+ years of progressive HR experience with hands-on core HR operations.
• Experience in employment, benefits, or employee relations.
• 2–3 years of direct supervisory experience.

Responsibilities

• Lead a team of three HR staff.
• Oversee end-to-end employee lifecycles.
• Drive talent acquisition, employee relations, and offboarding.

Skills

Leadership experience

HR operations

Employee relations

Digital workflows

Education

Bachelor’s degree in HR / related field

Tools

Oracle Cloud HR

Job description

Davidson College seeks an agile, hands-on, and forward-thinking Director, Employee Experience to serve as a key operational leader and strategic thought partner for internal stakeholders, including constituents, direct reports, and the broader HR Team. This role is built for a seasoned HR leader who thrives both in developing proactive, high-level strategy and working directly "in the weeds"—managing modern HR operations, driving digital workflows, and fostering an inclusive, high-performing workplace culture.

Leading a team of three (two HR Generalists and a Front Desk/Operations Coordinator), this position will directly oversee end-to-end employee lifecycles, talent acquisition, employee relations, and offboarding, all key functions in engaging our employees at Davidson College. The ideal candidate brings proven leadership experience, deep familiarity with modern HR technology, and a track record of elevating employee engagement across a diverse community.

Required Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Industrial/Organizational Psychology, or a related field.
• Experience: Minimum of 7 years of progressive HR experience, including direct, hands-on responsibility in core HR operations, employment/benefits, or employee relations.
• Leadership: Minimum of 2–3 years of direct supervisory experience leading HR teams.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree in HR, Business, or related discipline.
• Professional HR certification (SHRM-CP/SCP, PHR/SPHR).
• Prior HR leadership experience in higher education, non-profit, or complex matrixed organizations.
• Direct experience with Oracle Cloud HR or major HRIS software conversions/implementations.

About Davidson College

Davidson College is one of the nation’s most selective liberal arts colleges. Established in 1837, Davidson College is home to 2,000 undergraduate students and 1,000 employees. The College holds a strong financial position, as evidenced by its AA+ bond rating and an endowment value of approximately $1.6 billion. Davidson is located in the town of Davidson, often celebrated as one of the best places to live in North Carolina, and 20 minutes from North Carolina’s largest metro area, Charlotte.

Davidson is a highly selective, nationally ranked, residential liberal arts college located in Davidson, North Carolina, near Charlotte. We seek to hire talented faculty and staff who are committed to achieving excellence within an inclusive community where diverse backgrounds and perspectives are valued.