HR Representative

Duke Clinical Research Institute; Durham (NC); Hybrid; USD 61,000 - 88,000; Full time

Job summary

Duke University in Durham, NC, seeks a Human Resources Representative to manage HR and payroll activities, provide excellent customer service, and ensure policy compliance. You will partner with departments as an HR business partner across assigned areas.

Talent acquisition and personnel support, operational payroll tasks, and employee relations form the core duties, along with general administrative responsibilities.

Qualifications

• Education - bachelor’s degree required.
• Two years of business, administrative and/or supervisory experience.
• Master’s degree may substitute for two years of experience.
• SHRM-PHR certification preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead recruitment workflows and manage job requisitions in HR systems.
• Advise staff and managers on pay actions, leave and employment data changes.
• Oversee salary administration and data reporting for PAMC.
• Draft reclassification memos and coordinate with Rewards & Recognition.
• Maintain confidential personnel records and support audits.

Skills

Organizational skills

Analytical skills

Communication skills

Customer service

Education

Bachelor's degree

Master's degree substitution allowed

SHRM-PHR preferred

Tools

SuccessFactors

HR systems

Job description

Duke University:

Duke University was created in 1924 through an indenture of trust by James Buchanan Duke. Today, Duke is regarded as one of America's leading research universities. Located in Durham, North Carolina, Duke is positioned in the heart of the Research Triangle, which is ranked annually as one of the best places in the country to work and live. Duke has more than 15,000 students who study and conduct research in its 10 undergraduate, graduate and professional schools. With about 40,000 employees, Duke is the third largest private employer in North Carolina, and it now has international programs in more than 150 countries.

Be You.

Play a key role in supporting employees and managers through every stage of the employee lifecycle.

The Human Resources Representative

The Human Resources Representative is responsible for managing HR and payroll activities, providing excellent customer service, and ensuring compliance with university policies and procedures. Serve as HR business partner for assigned areas of support, using HR job knowledge and application of Duke HR policies and procedures.

Work Arrangement

Hybrid (Minimally once a week on campus but will be determined by the department).

DEPARTMENTAL PREFERENCES

SHRM - PHR preferred.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Education - Work requires organizational, analytical and communication skills generally acquired through the completion of a bachelor's degree program.
• Experience - Work requires two (2) years of business, administrative and/or supervisory experience with exposure to supervisory or human resource policies and practices related to employee relations.
• A master's degree in a related field may be substituted for 2 years of experience.

Be Bold.

Work Performed

Talent Acquisition & Personnel Support (40%)

• Initiate, review, and update job requisitions and support recruitment workflows within HR systems. Monitor candidate pipelines and update applicant statuses throughout the hiring process.
  • Process and verify offer details in Success Factors, including compensation and start date information.
  • Determine initial salaries based on PAMC guidelines.
• Coordinate and support personnel-related transactions, including compensation changes, and separations. Advise staff and managers on HR processes related to pay actions, leave, and employment data changes, and partner with central payroll to resolve issues as needed.
• Review and screen departmental requests for reclassifications to determine appropriateness of submission. Collaborate with Rewards & Recognition (R&R) on submission and review of reclassification requests. Assist department with drafting reclassification memos to affected employees.
• Compile and validate data used for salary administration, budgeting, and workforce planning.
• Maintain accurate and confidential personnel records in compliance with institutional policies, supporting reporting requirements and periodic audits.
• Oversee the annual Performance Evaluation Process (PEP) for departments utilizing both electronic and word versions of the PEP document.
  • Assist with salary administration for assigned units within the PAMC to ensure adherence to guidelines.
• Provide guidance to units on student hiring processes, job postings, and work-study programs.
• Assist with transitions of student roles to other employment classifications and oversee administrative processes related to interns and non-standard appointments.
  • Develop and maintain clear process guidance and documentation to support consistent and compliant student employment practices.

Operational Support (40%)

• Advise and support HR and payroll operations for schools and units within the Provost Academic Management Center (PAMC). Coordinate and manage employee lifecycle activities, employment changes, and separations, ensuring compliance with Duke's policies and deadlines.
  • Serve as back-up to HR Specialist to process HR and payroll transactions (e.g., hires, transfers, terminations, compensation changes, and position management) with a high degree of accuracy.
• Serve as a key resource for payroll administration, including auditing timekeeping processes, monitoring approvals, reviewing reports for discrepancies, and supporting resolution of issues.
  • Act as a primary point of contact for new hires and employees by providing guidance on HR policies, employment expectations, and payroll procedures.
• Monitor and track employment-related activities (e.g., probationary periods), conduct routine audits (e.g., pay data, inactive positions), and prepare summary reports for leadership.
• Contribute to process improvement efforts, including development and maintenance of workflow tools and forms.
  • Serve as subject matter expert and develop process improvements by utilizing Duke resources.
• Coordinate temporary staffing requests and advise units on applicable policies.

Employee Relations (15%)

• Serve as the initial point of contact for departments and units regarding employee relations matters, including workplace concerns, complaints, grievances, and performance issues.
• Partner with the HR Director to assess employee relations concerns, determine appropriate next steps, and coordinate follow-up and support.
• Assist with the development and implementation of performance management and corrective action plans, including drafting documentation and advising on appropriate processes in consultation with the HR Director.
• Monitor, document, and track employee relations matters to ensure timely follow-up, consistent support, and appropriate escalation of concerns.
• Follow up with managers and departments on recommended actions, including performance documentation and corrective action plans, to assess progress, identify additional support needs, and determine when further HR involvement is warranted.
• Connect employees and managers with appropriate HR resources, guidance, and support to address workplace concerns and facilitate resolution.
• Maintain accurate and confidential records of employee relations matters and follow established procedures for documentation, communication, and escalation.

General Administrative Duties (5%)

• Participate in special projects and provide general administrative support as needed.

Anticipated Pay Range

Duke University provides an annual base salary range for this position as USD $61,026.00 to USD $88,434.00. Duke University considers factors such as (but not limited to) scope and responsibilities of the position; candidate's work experience, education/training, and key skills; internal peer equity; as well as market and organizational considerations when extending an offer.

Your total compensation goes beyond the dollars on your paycheck. Duke provides comprehensive and competitive medical and dental care programs, generous retirement benefits, and a wide array of family-friendly and cultural programs to eligible team members. Learn more at: https://hr.duke.edu/benefits/

Equal Opportunity Employer: Duke is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to providing employment opportunity without regard to an individual's age, color, disability, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy and pregnancy- related conditions), sexual orientation, or military status.

Duke aspires to create a community built on collaboration, innovation, creativity, and belonging. Our collective success depends on the robust exchange of ideas-an exchange that is best when the rich diversity of our perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences flourishes. To achieve this exchange, it is essential that all members of the community feel secure and welcome, that the contributions of all individuals are respected, and that all voices are heard. All members of our community have a responsibility to uphold these values.

Essential Physical Job Functions:

Certain jobs at Duke University and Duke University Health System may include essential job functions that require specific physical and/or mental abilities. Additional information and reasonable accommodation(s) can be requested with Duke Access and Accommodations Services (email: [e-mail]; phone: [phone]).