HR Associate

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

Job summary

The University of Minnesota Foundation (UMF) seeks an HR Associate to provide professional HR operations, compliance, and systems support across the employee lifecycle. You will handle day-one onboarding for Civil Service and Labor Represented staff and serve as the first point of contact for staff HR inquiries.

You will audit payroll and HR records, maintain confidential files, support CHRO and HR leadership, and help improve processes for an exceptional employee experience.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or combination of education and experience to equal at least four years.
• Ability to interpret standard policies and apply independent judgment.
• Advanced level experience with Microsoft Office Suite including Excel, PowerPoint, Word.
• Strong customer-service orientation and high energy work style.
• Problem solving, research skills, and critical thinking ability.
• Ability to handle confidential HR information with high integrity and confidentiality.
• Excellent organizational, coordination and prioritization skills.

Responsibilities

• Serve as first point of contact for employee HR inquiries and interpret policies.
• Process payroll and HRMS transactions and ensure compliance.
• Audit payroll, personnel and leave data for discrepancies.
• Administer pre-employment activities and onboarding for Civil Service and represented staff.
• Maintain confidential employee records and HR documentation.
• Support CHRO and HR leadership with calendar management and communications.
• Assist with Talent Management System administration and periodic cycles.

Skills

Microsoft Office Suite

Customer service

Problem solving

Communication skills

Attention to detail

Education

Bachelor's degree

4+ years experience equivalent

Tools

Talent Management System (TalentConnects)

Job description

About the Job

The HR Associate provides professional HR operations, compliance,and systems support across the employee lifecycle. Working undergeneral supervision, this position serves as a first-line resourcefor staff HR inquiries, independently leads day-one employeeonboarding for Civil Service and Labor Represented staff, auditspayroll and HR records, and provides key operational support to theChief Human Resources Officer (CHRO) and HR leadership. This roleapplies HR knowledge and established policies to resolve routineissues, support talent processes, and contribute to continuousprocess 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 UMFand University policies, resolve routine matters directly, orescalate complex issues to HR Business Partners, UMF HR leadership,or central OHR.
• Process bi-weekly payroll and HRMS transactions, ensuringaccuracy, timeliness, and compliance with University policies andemployment regulations
• Audit payroll, personnel, and leave data, utilizing knowledgeof HR policies to independently investigate and resolvediscrepancies.
• Administer pre-employment activities, including reference andbackground checks, and partner with HR leadership to evaluate andaddress results as appropriate.
• Independently lead day-one onboarding and orientationactivities for Civil Service and Labor Represented staff, includingI-9 employment eligibility verification.
• Serve as the main face of UMF HR for new hires to guide themthrough policies, culture, and initial setup. Assist HR leadershipas needed with periodic larger orientation sessions.
• Process student employment transactions, including hires, jobchanges, and separations, ensuring compliance with Universitypolicies and procedures.
• Maintain confidential employee records and HR documentation inaccordance with legal requirements, University policies, andestablished records management practices.
• Manage electronic and physical HR records through PerceptiveContent, including record retention, archiving, and disposition inaccordance with the University of Minnesota's records retentionschedule.
• Analyze routine HR operational processes and workflows toidentify inefficiencies, proposing standard operating procedureenhancements to improve compliance and service delivery.

Executive & Departmental Support (30%)

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

Talent Management System Administration (10%)

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

Qualifications

Required:

• Bachelor’s degree, or a combination of education and/orexperience to equal at least four years.
• Ability to interpret standard policies, apply independentjudgment to resolve problems, and handle confidential HRinquiries.
• Demonstrated advanced level experience with Microsoft OfficeSuite (Word, PowerPoint, Excel) including spreadsheet and databaseapplications, presentation creation, and word-processing andformatting.
• Demonstrated customer-service orientation with high energy andwork style, which positively engages others.
• Problem solving and research skills and critical thinkingability.
• Ability to maintain and secure sensitive and privateinformation with high data integrity and confidentiality.
• Effective organization, coordination and prioritization skillswith strong attention to detail while ensuring timely completion ofmultiple assignments; ability to adjust effectively to unexpectedchanges.
• Written and verbal communication skills, including correct useof grammar, spelling, editing and punctuation.

Preferred:

• Bachelor’s degree in business, administration or relatedfield.
• 1-2 years of HR experience, with exposure to onboarding, policyinterpretation, or talent management systems.
• Knowledge of a talent management system.
• Experience providing executive-level administrativesupport.
• Experience working in a non-profit/philanthropicenvironment.

About the Department

At the University of Minnesota Foundation (UMF), our mission is toconnect passion with possibility, inspire generosity, and supportgreatness at the University of Minnesota by placing donors at theheart of everything we do and every decision we make. UMF is anonprofit organization responsible for raising and managing giftsto the University of Minnesota.

For more information about UMF, please visit https://give.umn.edu/about/about-umf.

Pay and Benefits

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

Time Appointment: 100% Appointment

Position Type : Civil-Service & Non-Faculty LaborRepresented Staff

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

The University offers a comprehensive benefits package thatincludes:

• Competitive wages, paid holidays, and generous time off
• Continuous learning opportunities through professional trainingand degree-seeking programs supported by the Regents Tuition BenefitProgram
• 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 counselingat no cost
• Employee TransitPass with free or reduced rates in the Twin Cities metroarea

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

Diversity

The University recognizes and values the importance of diversityand inclusion in enriching the employment experience of itsemployees and in supporting the academic mission. The University iscommitted to attracting and retaining employees with varyingidentities and backgrounds.

The University of Minnesota provides equal access to andopportunity in its programs, facilities, and employment withoutregard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender,age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteranstatus, 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 successfulcompletion of a background check. Our presumption is thatprospective employees are eligible to work here. Criminalconvictions do not automatically disqualify finalists fromemployment.

About University of Minnesota

At the University of Minnesota, we are proud to be recognized byForbes as a Best Employer for Company Culture (2026), Best Employerfor 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-lifeflexibility.

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC)

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