HR Generalist Senior

University Of Michigan; Ann Arbor (MI); Hybrid; USD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

University of Michigan, Office of the Vice President for Research, seeks a Senior HR Generalist to advise managers on policy, coordinate recruitment and compensation, and ensure compliant HR practices across OVPR.

The role emphasizes confidential handling of data, strong collaboration with campus resources, and support for division-wide HR initiatives in a complex academic environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in human resources or related field required.
• Significant and progressive administrative HR experience, at least 5 years.
• Strong knowledge of core HR functions: recruitment, compensation, data management.
• Ability to handle confidential information with discretion.
• Excellent communication, organization, and problem-solving skills.

Responsibilities

• Interpret and guide managers on policy applications.
• Assist with recruitment, hiring, and compensation processes.
• Prepare communications and manage appointment processes.
• Provide performance management guidance to managers.
• Assist with onboarding/offboarding and timekeeping questions.

Skills

HR policy knowledge

Communication skills

Organizational skills

Discretion handling confidential info

Problem-solving

Collaboration

Adaptability

Education

Bachelor's degree in HR or related field

Tools

M-Pathways HR system

Business Objects

MReports

Job description

Job Summary

The mission of the University of Michigan Office of the Vice President for Research (OVPR) is to catalyze, support, and safeguard U-M research. To that end, our team is constantly striving to foster new research, build partnerships, and provide support to our researchers in order to realize our vision of research that serves the world.

OVPR oversees numerous units conducting research as well as units focused on providing services and support to U-M researchers. OVPR is seeking a human resource generalist senior, reporting to the Director of Human Resources, to join our HR team which assists with facilitating best practice human resource procedures across OVPR and provides high level administrative support in human resources.

Responsibilities*

Interpret and provide guidance to managers and employees on application of University and department policies and procedures.Serve as liaison with other offices including the Shared Service Center, University Human Resources, Payroll and other resources as appropriate.

Develop position descriptions and assist with classification and compensation assessments.

• Prepare Regents Communications.

Manage academic administrative appointments in OVPR and its reporting units, including establishment and monitoring of appointments and collaboration with home academic units to enact needed changes.

Contribute to management of OVPR's standardized processes for hiring team activity, including providing oversight and training for the use of specific materials and tools.Provide direct support, including application review and assessment, to a limited number of hiring teams depending on the role being filled.

Review hiring requests, analyze salary information to determine compensation, and develop offer letters.

Provide performance management guidance to managers related to performance, misconduct, and other employee relations matters.

• Conduct exit interviews with departing staff members.

Manage compliance with Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA), including notifications, and communicate with supervisors and staff members regarding the use of FMLA and appropriate exception time codes in accordance with University and federal guidelines.

• Maintain OVPR's HR internal control policies and documentation, and manage annual review of HR internal control practices across OVPR.

Assist with OVPR-wide processes such as staff performance evaluations, the salary merit increase program, and remote work agreements.

Manage effort certification activities to ensure accuracy and compliance.

Monitor compliance with various training requirements.

Contribute to development and implementation of new division-wide HR practices, improvement plans and other key initiatives.

• Coordinate and assist with planning of training resources for OVPR and its reporting units on a wide variety of HR issues, including workshops and presentations by content experts.
• Support research faculty appointment and promotion processes on behalf of OVPR's reporting units, including assistance with compilation of new appointment and promotion casebooks, and management of the unit-based promotion review process.
• Collect, analyze and summarize HR data to assist in strategic and informed decision-making.Assist with monitoring the need for appointment changes or adjustments.
• Partner with other OVPR HR staff to provide back-up and/or direct support for the following tasks:

  • Initiate HR transactions for OVPR and reporting units.Review and approve HR transactions from units reporting to OVPR.Ensure HR data in M-Pathways is current and accurate.

  • Manage the recruitment and hiring processes for regular and temporary staff, research faculty, GSRAs and Postdocs, including interview support.

  • Monitor appointments including identifying the need and appropriateness of extensions and terminations.

  • Manage and implement best practices for on-boarding and off-boarding.

  • Respond to timekeeping questions from campus-wide units regarding the use of central funds to cover extended sick time, etc., for those paid from sponsored funds.Serve as unit timekeeper for OVPR units, providing reminders of timekeeping deadline, and advising regarding the use of appropriate timecodes.Serve as a resource for timekeeping questions.Run Time & Labor queries as needed to ensure timesheets have been completed and approved.

  • In partnership with the U-M International Center, provide guidance and problem-solve issues related to the employment of foreign nationals.

• Other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications*

Bachelor's degree in human resources or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Significant and progressive administrative experience in a professional capacity including at least 5 years of human resources experience.

Thorough knowledge of and experience with core HR functions, including recruitment and hiring, compensation analysis, and employee data management.

Demonstrated ability to exercise discretion and handle sensitive, confidential information.

Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, including the ability to effectively communicate with both faculty and staff members.

Demonstrated strong organizational, critical thinking, and time-management skills, with attention to detail and accuracy.

Ability to flexibly adapt to changing priorities, meet deadlines, and problem-solve to successful resolutions.

Experience with developing and implementing division-wide initiatives and projects.

Strong collaborative style and the ability to contribute to a positive work environment that values respect, listening and learning.

Desired Qualifications*

Human resources experience in an academic setting.

Knowledge of U-M policies and procedures related to human resources management in both academic and staff HR.

Supervisory experience and ability to provide performance management guidance in an academic setting.

Significant experience with job classification and compensation evaluation.

Experience with faculty appointments and knowledge of research faculty appointment and promotion policies.

Knowledge of FMLA policies and procedures.

Experience with issues related to visa processing and U-M International Center procedures.

Proficiency with the University M-Pathways HR system, Business Objects and MReports.

Knowledge of process improvement methodologies.

Modes of Work

Positions that are eligible for hybrid or mobile/remote work mode are at the discretion of the hiring department. Work agreements are reviewed annually at a minimum and are subject to change at any time, and for any reason, throughout the course of employment.

The University of Michigan conducts background checks on all job candidates upon acceptance of a contingent offer and may use a third party administrator to conduct background checks. Background checksare performed in compliance with the Fair Credit Reporting Act.

Application Deadline

Job openings are posted for a minimum of seven calendar days.The review and selection process maybegin as early as the eighth day after posting.Thisopening may be removed from posting boards and filled any time after the minimum posting period has ended.

U-M EEO Statement

The University of Michigan is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to providing an environment of mutual respect where equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.