Head of Talent Strategy & Workforce Planning

Worcester Polytech; Massachusetts; On-site; USD 128,000 - 153,000; Full time

Job summary

Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) seeks a Senior Director, Talent Strategies & Workforce Planning to guide workforce strategy, organizational design, and change management across a complex university system.

The role leads the Talent Strategy Partner team, partnering with senior leaders to align T&I solutions with institutional goals and ensure compliant labor relations and policy adherence.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Organizational Development, Business Administration, or a related field.
• 10+ years of progressive HR experience, including advanced employee and/or labor relations experience in a highly complex organizational environment.
• At least five (5) years of people leadership or team management experience.
• Executive-level experience leading resolution strategies for high-risk or sensitive employee and/or labor relations matters and advising senior leaders on organizational risk and conflict navigation.
• Demonstrated experience as a strategic HR business partner or HR leader advising senior-level clients.
• Strong knowledge of workforce and succession planning, employee relations, performance management, organizational design, labor laws, and collective bargaining agreements, with experience navigating a complex, matrixed, or unionized environment.
• Strategic thinking with a proven ability to lead change and align T&I services with organizational goals.
• Exceptional communication, critical thinking, conflict resolution, and facilitation skills.
• Sound judgment and the ability to build relationships and influence faculty, staff, union representatives, and leaders at all levels.
• Ability to handle confidential and sensitive information with discretion.

Responsibilities

• Serve as a senior advisor to deans, department heads, and administrative leaders, aligning T&I solutions with institutional strategy.
• Develop and implement workforce and succession plans for assigned departments.
• Facilitate talent reviews with leadership teams and identify development opportunities.
• Analyze workforce and talent data to identify trends and barriers to organizational success.
• Lead and develop two Senior TSPs and a Talent Specialist to deliver high-quality T&I services.

Skills

People leadership

Strategic thinking

Communication

Conflict resolution

Facilitation

Relationship building

HR business partner

Change management

Labor relations

Analytics

Education

Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Organizational Development, Business Administration, or related field

Master's degree in Human Resources, Labor Relations, Public Administration, Business, or related field

Job description

Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) seeks a Senior Director, Talent Strategies & Workforce Planning to guide workforce strategy, organizational design, and change management across a complex university system.

The role leads the Talent Strategy Partner team, partnering with senior leaders to align T&I solutions with institutional goals and ensure compliant labor relations and policy adherence.