Human Resources Director, Employee Experience

The City University of New York (CUNY); New York (NY); On-site; USD 136,000 - 151,000; Full time

Job summary

The City University of New York (CUNY) seeks a Human Resources Director, Employee Experience to provide strategic leadership and oversee HR operations during transformation. This onsite role in Queens, NY manages core HR functions and employee-facing services while strengthening employee relations, development, and HR data initiatives.

The successful candidate will align workforce planning and organizational development with the HR Strategic Plan, collaborate across campuses, ensure policy

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree and eight years of related experience required.
• Master’s degree in HR, Organizational Development, Business Administration, Higher Education Administration, or a related field with significant progressively responsible experience in HR management.
• Proven experience leading and managing comprehensive HR operations, including staff supervision and delivery of HR services to a diverse workforce.
• Extensive knowledge of employee and labor relations, performance management, investigations, and applicable laws.

Responsibilities

• Lead HR operations and service delivery for full-time and part-time employees.
• Drive continuous improvement and standardize HR processes across teams.
• Provide leadership for employee relations and workplace matters with managers and supervisors.
• Partner with campus offices to address complex employee issues and mitigate risk.
• Ensure compliance with policies, CBAs, and employment laws; develop HR policies and guidelines.
• Oversee HR technology, HRIS, and data initiatives supporting records and reporting.
• Lead employee and leadership development programs and onboarding support.

Skills

Communication

Interpersonal skills

Analytical skills

Problem solving

Leadership

Education

Bachelor’s Degree

Master’s degree in HR or related field

Tools

HRIS

HR technology

Workflow automation

Data reporting

Job description

The Human Resources Director, Employee Experience provides strategic leadership and operational oversight for CUNY’s Human Resources Department during transformation and reorganization. This onsite role in Queens, NY manages core HR functions and employee-facing services while strengthening employee relations, development, and HR technology and data initiatives.

Role Overview

Serve as a strategic advisor and thought partner to the Executive Director of Human Resources and senior leadership on workforce planning, organizational development, change management, employee engagement, performance, and human capital strategies. Align these efforts with the HR Strategic Plan, college priorities, and CUNY policies.

Collaborate with campus or unit management to provide human resources leadership and support related operations.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead Human Resources operations and service delivery, overseeing staff, departmental resources and budgets, onboarding and offboarding, performance management, personnel actions, separations, and other core HR functions for full-time and part-time employees.
• Drive continuous improvement and organizational effectiveness by evaluating and modernizing HR processes, standardizing practices, strengthening collaboration and knowledge sharing across HR teams, and implementing initiatives that improve efficiency, accountability, and the employee and customer experience.
• Provide leadership for employee relations and workplace matters by advising managers and supervisors on performance management, disciplinary matters, conflict resolution, workplace investigations, and policy interpretation.
• Partner with Labor Relations, union representatives, the Office of Equity, Inclusion and Belonging, Public Safety, Student Affairs, legal counsel, and other campus offices to address complex employee issues and mitigate organizational risk.
• Ensure compliance and sound employment practices through consistent application of CUNY policies, collective bargaining agreements, and applicable federal, state, and local employment laws and regulations.
• Develop and update HR policies, procedures, and guidelines, and oversee related audits, reporting, and compliance initiatives.
• Oversee HR technology, HRIS, and data initiatives supporting accurate employee records, reporting, workflow automation, process efficiency, and data-informed decision-making.
• Lead employee and leadership development initiatives, including professional development, supervisory training, onboarding support, and leadership development programs.
• Oversee employee-facing HR services and specialized functions, including the HR Welcome Desk and reasonable accommodation processes, ensuring responsive, confidential, accurate, and consistent service.
• Direct HR processes including employment, benefits administration, recruitment, and performance management.
• Manage staff responsible for providing employee services in the Human Resources office.
• Work with senior management across Human Resources, Labor Relations, and other areas to plan HR strategies and programs, and develop new HR tools and programs to support management goals.
• Interpret regulations and policies related to Human Resources, advising senior executives and managers, reviewing policies and procedures for improvement, and developing revisions.
• Ensure the integrity of Human Resources data, systems, records, and files.
• Independently research sensitive Human Resources issues and assist executive management in responses.
• Perform related duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree and eight years of related experience required.
• Master’s degree in Human Resources, Organizational Development, Business Administration, Higher Education Administration, or a related field, with significant progressively responsible experience in human resources management, preferably in a complex higher education, public-sector, or unionized environment.
• Proven experience leading and managing comprehensive HR operations, including staff supervision, employee lifecycle processes, and delivery of high-quality HR services to a diverse workforce.
• Extensive knowledge of employee and labor relations, performance management, workplace investigations, conflict resolution, employment policies, collective bargaining agreements, and applicable federal, state, and local employment laws and regulations.
• Demonstrated experience leading change management initiatives, HR process improvement, organizational effectiveness, and/or training efforts, using HR technology, data, reporting, and workflow tools to support consistent practices and improved service delivery.
• Experience developing and implementing employee, supervisory, and leadership development programs that support organizational capability, employee performance, engagement, and career development.
• Excellent communication, interpersonal, analytical, and problem-solving skills, with the ability to exercise sound judgment and lead effectively in a diverse and dynamic organizational environment.
• Experience in nonprofit, government, or higher education environments, preferably within CUNY.

Tools and Technologies

• HRIS, HR technology, data, workflow automation

Compensation

• Salary range: USD 136,040 - 150,770 per year.
• Salary commensurate with education and experience.

Benefits

• Health plans
• Competitive retirement/pension benefits
• Savings plans
• Tuition waivers for CUNY graduate study
• Generous paid time off
• Extensive academic, arts, and athletic programs on campuses
• Opportunity to participate in a lively, diverse academic community

Location and Employment Details

• Location: Queens, NY (onsite), Queensborough CC
• Job type: Full-Time
• Job ID: 32813
• CUNY Job Posting Category: CUNY Job Posting: Managerial/Professional
• FLSA: Exempt
• CUNY Title: Higher Education Officer
• CUNY Title Name: HR Director

Closing Date

• October 12, 2026
• Review of resumes to begin immediately

Equal Employment Opportunity

• CUNY encourages people with disabilities, minorities, veterans and women to apply.
• At CUNY, Italian Americans are also included among protected groups.
• No discrimination based on any legally protected category, including sexual orientation or gender identity.
• EEO/AA/Vet/Disability Employer.