Human Resources - Human Resources Partner

Sacred Heart; Fairfield (CT); On-site; USD 85,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Sacred Heart University in Fairfield, CT is seeking an experienced Human Resources Partner to provide comprehensive HR support to assigned university departments. The role serves as a trusted resource for managers and staff, handling employee relations, recruitment, performance management, onboarding and policy interpretation.

Working with leaders across SHU, you will promote a positive employee experience, ensure policy compliance, and partner with Payroll, Benefits, and HR teams to deliver

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in HR, Business Administration, Organizational Development, or related field.
• 5 years of HRBP/Generalist experience.
• Knowledge of employee relations, performance management, recruitment, and employment law.
• Strong communication skills and ability to maintain confidentiality.
• Experience with HRIS; Dayforce preferred.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the primary HR contact for assigned departments, guiding policies and employment practices.
• Advise managers on employee relations, performance concerns, and discipline.
• Collaborate on performance evaluations, feedback, and development plans.
• Support recruitment activities, including candidate screening and job descriptions.
• Maintain confidential records and ensure compliance with laws.
• Collaborate with Payroll, Benefits, Onboarding, Recruitment to ensure consistent service delivery.

Skills

Employee relations

Performance management

Recruitment

Employment law

Communication skills

Confidentiality

HRIS proficiency

Education

Bachelor’s degree in HR / related field

Tools

Dayforce

Job description

Human Resources - Human Resources Partner

5151 Park Ave, Fairfield, CT 06825, USA

Job Description

Posted Friday, August 7, 2026 at 4:00 AM

About Sacred Heart University

As one of the nation’s largest Catholic universities and among the fastest-growing private doctoral institutions in the U.S . , Sacred Heart University is a national leader in shaping higher education for the 21st century. SHU offers more than 100 undergraduate, graduate and doctoral programs on its Fairfield, Conn., campus. Sacred Heart also has a campus in Dingle, Ireland, and offers online programs. Nearly 10,000 students attend the University’s nine colleges and schools: College of Arts & Sciences; School of Communication, Media & the Arts; School of Social Work; School of Performing Arts; College of Health Professions; the Isabelle Farrington College of Education & Human Development; the Jack Welch College of Business & Technology; School of Computer Science & Engineering and the Dr. Susan L. Davis, R.N., & Richard J. Henley College of Nursing. Sacred Heart, a Laudato Si’ campus, stands out from other Catholic universities as it was established to be led by the laity. This contemporary Catholic university is rooted in the rich Catholic intellectual tradition and the liberal arts and, at the same time, cultivates students to be forward thinkers who enact change—in their own lives, professions and in their communities. The Princeton Review includes SHU in its Best 391 Colleges: 2026 Edition and Best Business Schools: 2025 Edition. Sacred Heart is home to the award-winning, NPR-affiliate station, WSHU Public Radio; a Division I athletics program and an impressive performing arts program that includes choir, band, dance and theatre. www.sacredheart.edu

Sacred Heart University complies with all federal and state employment laws and regulations. Applicants must be lawfully authorized to work for any employer in the United States. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment Visa for this position.

Position Summary

The Human Resources Partner provides comprehensive human resources support to assigned University departments and administrative units. This position serves as a trusted resource to managers and employees by delivering guidance on a broad range of human resources functions, including employee relations, recruitment, performance management, policy interpretation, onboarding, and compliance.

Working collaboratively with leaders across the University, the Human Resources Partner helps foster a positive employee experience while ensuring consistent application of University policies and employment practices. The role also partners closely with other Human Resources team members to support strategic initiatives and deliver responsive, high-quality HR services.

Employee Relations & Performance Management:

• Serve as the primary HR contact for assigned departments, responding to employee and manager questions regarding HR policies, procedures, and employment practices.
• Provide guidance and support to managers on employee relations matters, including coaching, conflict resolution, corrective action, performance concerns, and policy interpretation.
• Partner with managers throughout the performance management process, including performance evaluations, performance improvement plans, and employee development discussions.
• Assist in resolving workplace issues while promoting fair, consistent, and legally compliant employment practices.
• Maintain confidential employee records and documentation in accordance with university policies.

Recruitment and Staffing:

• Partner with hiring managers to identify staffing needs and support the recruitment process with HR team members.
• Support recruitment activities including candidate screening and interview scheduling.
• Assist managers with developing and updating job descriptions to ensure accurate representation of position responsibilities and qualifications.

Employee Development & Engagement:

• Partner with the Department Head to support employee learning initiatives and required compliance training.
• Promote employee engagement by supporting initiatives that foster a positive, inclusive, and collaborative workplace culture.
• Coach managers on effective leadership practices, employee development, and performance management.

HR Operations & Compliance:

• Maintain accurate employee information within Dayforce, HR Acuity, and personnel records while ensuring confidentiality.
• Interpret and apply University policies, employment practices, and applicable federal, state, and local employment laws.
• Collaborate with Payroll, Benefits, Onboarding, Recruitment, and other Human Resources functions to ensure consistent service delivery.
• Assist with HR projects, process improvements, audits, reporting, and other departmental initiatives.

Other Responsibilities:

• Perform additional duties assigned, contributing to the overall success of the HR department.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities & Other Attributes

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Organizational Development, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• 5 years of progressively responsible Human Resources experience in an HRBP, Generalist or comparable HR role.
• Demonstrated knowledge of employee relations, performance management, recruitment, and employment law.
• Working knowledge of applicable federal and state employment laws, including FMLA, ADA, FLSA, Title VII, EEO, and related employment regulations.
• Strong interpersonal, consultation, conflict resolution, and relationship-building skills.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to exercise sound judgment while maintaining a high degree of confidentiality.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to prioritize multiple competing responsibilities.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications and Human Resources Information Systems (HRIS); experience with Dayforce preferred.

Preferred Qualifications

• Human Resources experience in higher education.
• SHRM-CP, PHR, or other Human Resources certification.

Unusual Working Conditions

Occasional additional hours may be required to support operational needs, special projects, or business deadlines.

Periodic travel between University locations may be required.

This job posting provides an overview of the role's general nature and expected tasks. It is not meant to be a comprehensive list of all duties performed. The university reserves the right to modify or reassign job responsibilities at any time. This posting description does not constitute an employment contract, either explicit or implied.

Sacred Heart University is a space that respects and embraces differences, recognizes the unique contributions that individuals can make, and creates a community that maximizes the potential of all faculty and staff. As an equal opportunity employer, we encourage applications from qualified candidates who reflect the wider world in which we live.