HR Associate

University of Minnesota; Minneapolis (MN); On-site; USD 58,000 - 65,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive wages

Generous time off

Health and dental plans

HSA contributions

Disability and life insurance

Retirement plans

Employee Assistance Program

Job summary

The University of Minnesota Foundation is seeking an HR Associate to provide professional HR operations, compliance, and systems support across the employee lifecycle. You will handle staff inquiries, lead day-one onboarding for Civil Service and Labor Represented staff, audit payroll and HR records, and support HR leadership to improve processes and the employee experience.

Responsibilities span HR operations, executive support, and Talent Management System administration.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree, or a combination of education and/or experience to equal at least four years.
• Ability to interpret standard policies, apply independent judgment to resolve problems, and handle confidential HR inquiries.
• Demonstrated advanced level experience with Microsoft Office Suite (Word, PowerPoint, Excel) including spreadsheet and database applications, presentation creation, and word-processing and formatting.
• Demonstrated customer-service orientation with high energy and work style, which positively engages others.
• Problem solving and research skills and critical thinking ability.
• Ability to maintain and secure sensitive and private information with high data integrity and confidentiality.
• Effective organization, coordination and prioritization skills with strong attention to detail while ensuring timely completion of multiple assignments; ability to adjust effectively to unexpected changes.
• Written and verbal communication skills, including correct use of grammar, spelling, editing and punctuation.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the first point of contact for employee HR inquiries; evaluate incoming questions independently to interpret standard UMF and University policies, resolve routine matters directly, or elevate complex issues to HR Business Partners, UMF HR leadership, or central OHR.
• Process bi-weekly payroll and HRMS transactions, ensuring accuracy, timeliness, and compliance with University policies and employment regulations
• Audit payroll, personnel, and leave data, utilizing knowledge of HR policies to independently investigate and resolve discrepancies.
• Administer pre-employment activities, including reference and background checks, and partner with HR leadership to evaluate and address results as appropriate.
• Independently lead day-one onboarding and orientation activities for Civil Service and Labor Represented staff, including I-9 employment eligibility verification.
• Serve as the main face of UMF HR for new hires to guide them through policies, culture, and initial setup. Assist HR leadership as needed with periodic larger orientation sessions.
• Process student employment transactions, including hires, job changes, and separations, ensuring compliance with University policies and procedures.
• Maintain confidential employee records and HR documentation in accordance with legal requirements, University policies, and established records management practices.
• Manage electronic and physical HR records through Perceptive Content, including record retention, archiving, and disposition in accordance with the University of Minnesota's records retention schedule.
• Analyze routine HR operational processes and workflows to identify inefficiencies, proposing standard operating procedure enhancements to improve compliance and service delivery.

Skills

Microsoft Office Suite

Customer-service orientation

Problem solving

Written and verbal communication

Attention to detail

Education

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent

4+ years combined education/experience

Tools

Talent Connects

Perceptive Content

Job description

The HR Associate provides professional HR operations, compliance, and systems support across the employee lifecycle. Working under general supervision, this position serves as a first-line resource for staff HR inquiries, independently leads day-one employee onboarding for Civil Service and Labor Represented staff, audits payroll and HR records, and provides key operational support to the Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO) and HR leadership. This role applies HR knowledge and established policies to resolve routine issues, support talent processes, and contribute to continuous process improvements and an exceptional employee experience.

Responsibilities

HR Operations & Administration (60%)

• Serve as the first point of contact for employee HR inquiries; evaluate incoming questions independently to interpret standard UMF and University policies, resolve routine matters directly, or elevate complex issues to HR Business Partners, UMF HR leadership, or central OHR.
• Process bi-weekly payroll and HRMS transactions, ensuring accuracy, timeliness, and compliance with University policies and employment regulations
• Audit payroll, personnel, and leave data, utilizing knowledge of HR policies to independently investigate and resolve discrepancies.
• Administer pre-employment activities, including reference and background checks, and partner with HR leadership to evaluate and address results as appropriate.
• Independently lead day-one onboarding and orientation activities for Civil Service and Labor Represented staff, including I-9 employment eligibility verification.
• Serve as the main face of UMF HR for new hires to guide them through policies, culture, and initial setup. Assist HR leadership as needed with periodic larger orientation sessions.
• Process student employment transactions, including hires, job changes, and separations, ensuring compliance with University policies and procedures.
• Maintain confidential employee records and HR documentation in accordance with legal requirements, University policies, and established records management practices.
• Manage electronic and physical HR records through Perceptive Content, including record retention, archiving, and disposition in accordance with the University of Minnesota's records retention schedule.
• Analyze routine HR operational processes and workflows to identify inefficiencies, proposing standard operating procedure enhancements to improve compliance and service delivery.

Executive & Departmental Support (30%)

• Provide professional administrative and operational support to the Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO) and HR leadership, including calendar management, coordinating complex schedules, presentation preparation, and drafting departmental communications.
• Coordinate day-to-day administrative operations to support the effective functioning of the Human Resources department.
• Support departmental priorities, schedules, and administrative activities to ensure timely execution of key initiatives.
• Serve as a primary operational contact for departmental inquiries providing responsive, customer-focused support, and applying judgment to direct workflow and coordinate logistics for meetings, training sessions, and HR projects.
• Monitor departmental operating and travel expenses, process expense reimbursements, and ensure compliance with University and Foundation financial policies.

Talent Management System Administration (10%)

• Partner with the Director of Organizational Development and Talent Management to support annual performance management cycles, serving as a primary point of contact to guide managers and employees through the goal setting and review process.
• Support administration of the Talent Management System (Talent Connects) by maintaining system data, coordinating vendor support, and partnering with IT on system enhancements.
• Coordinate annual talent management processes, including goal setting, performance reviews, succession planning, and conflict of interest disclosures.
• Maintain learning content, system resources, and supporting documentation in collaboration with Organizational Development and Talent Management.
• Ensure records are securely stored and accessible only to authorized personnel.

Qualifications

Required:

• Bachelor’s degree, or a combination of education and/or experience to equal at least four years.
• Ability to interpret standard policies, apply independent judgment to resolve problems, and handle confidential HR inquiries.
• Demonstrated advanced level experience with Microsoft Office Suite (Word, PowerPoint, Excel) including spreadsheet and database applications, presentation creation, and word-processing and formatting.
• Demonstrated customer-service orientation with high energy and work style, which positively engages others.
• Problem solving and research skills and critical thinking ability.
• Ability to maintain and secure sensitive and private information with high data integrity and confidentiality.
• Effective organization, coordination and prioritization skills with strong attention to detail while ensuring timely completion of multiple assignments; ability to adjust effectively to unexpected changes.
• Written and verbal communication skills, including correct use of grammar, spelling, editing and punctuation.

Preferred:

• Bachelor’s degree in business, administration or related field.
• 1-2 years of HR experience, with exposure to onboarding, policy interpretation, or talent management systems.
• Knowledge of a talent management system.
• Experience providing executive-level administrative support.
• Experience working in a non-profit/philanthropic environment.

About the Department

At the University of Minnesota Foundation (UMF), our mission is to connect passion with possibility, inspire generosity, and support greatness at the University of Minnesota by placing donors at the heart of everything we do and every decision we make. UMF is a nonprofit organization responsible for raising and managing gifts to the University of Minnesota.

Pay Range: $58,000- 65,000; depending on education/qualifications/experience

Time Appointment: 100% Appointment

Position Type: Civil-Service & Non-Faculty Labor Represented Staff

The University offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

• Competitive wages, paid holidays, and generous time off
• Low-cost medical, dental, and pharmacy plans
• Healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts
• University HSA contributions
• Disability and employer-paid life insurance
• Excellent retirement plans with employer contribution
• Employee Assistance Program with eight sessions of counseling at no cost

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)

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, 2025, 2026), and Best Employer by State (2022-2026). In 2026, we also received Culture Excellence & Industry Awards recognition for employee appreciation and work-life flexibility.