Human Resources Manager

MSU - Michigan State University; East Lansing (MI); On-site; USD 90,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

Michigan State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine is seeking an experienced Human Resources Manager to lead HR strategy for the Veterinary Medical Center. You will partner with hospital leadership to guide employee relations, performance management, workforce planning, and organizational change.

This role oversees HR operations, coaches leaders, and collaborates with College and University HR to drive professional development and a culture of integrity, accountability, and excellence

Qualifications

• Requires a four-year degree in human resources or a related field with 3–5 years of related experience.
• Experience providing HR leadership in a complex, unionized environment or higher education is strongly preferred.
• Professional HR credentials (SHRM-CP, SHRM-SCP, PHR, SPHR) are desirable.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic HR leadership to the Veterinary Medical Center Director and hospital leadership.
• Lead complex employee relations, performance management, conflict resolution, and organizational change initiatives.
• Coach and develop supervisors and managers on leadership, engagement, and communication.

Skills

Strategic HR

Employee relations

Leadership coaching

Workforce planning

HR analytics

Education

Bachelor’s degree in HR or related

Master’s degree in HR/Business Administration

Job description

Position Summary

The College of Veterinary Medicine’s Veterinary Medical Center is recruiting an experienced human resources professional who thrives in a complex, fast-paced environment. As a trusted partner to the Director of the Veterinary Medical Center and hospital leadership, this position provides strategic human resources leadership while fostering a culture of collaboration, accountability, professional growth, and excellence.

The Human Resources Manager serves as the senior human resources leader for the Veterinary Medical Center and is responsible for developing, implementing, and overseeing HR priorities for the hospital. The position provides high-level consultation and expertise to hospital leadership, managers, supervisors, and employees on complex and sensitive matters, including employee relations, performance management, conflict resolution, organizational change, compensation, recruitment strategy, and workforce planning.

A key responsibility of this position is strengthening leadership effectiveness across the VMC. The Human Resources Manager coaches and advises supervisors and managers, identifies leadership development needs, and develops or coordinates training and resources that strengthen leadership, communication, performance management, and employee engagement.

The Human Resources Manager serves as the primary VMC contact for complex employee relations and conflict resolution matters involving central Human Resources and support staff union groups. The position participates in strategic and workforce planning; leads the implementation of HR initiatives, best practices, processes, and system changes; and works collaboratively with College and University Human Resources.

The position supervises the VMC HR/Finance Analyst and provides oversight of unit-level HR operations, including recruitment and hiring processes, onboarding, payroll-related activities, employee records, HR transactions, and workforce reporting.

This position works closely with the College Human Resources Manager and reports directly to the Director of the Veterinary Medical Center.

Primary Responsibilities

• Provide strategic HR leadership and serve as a trusted advisor to the VMC Director, hospital leadership, managers, and supervisors.
• Lead and manage complex employee relations matters, including performance concerns, workplace conflict, corrective action, and other sensitive personnel issues.
• Advise and coach supervisors and managers on effective leadership, employee engagement, performance management, communication, conflict resolution, and organizational change.
• Develop, coordinate, and implement leadership and supervisory training and professional development initiatives across the Veterinary Medical Center.
• Partner with hospital leadership on workforce planning, recruitment strategy, organizational structure, compensation, retention, succession planning, and other strategic workforce priorities.
• Serve as the primary VMC liaison with College and University Human Resources and support staff union groups on complex employee relations and labor matters.
• Lead the development and implementation of HR priorities, policies, processes, best practices, and system changes within the Veterinary Medical Center.
• Provide oversight and approval, as appropriate, for unit-level HR transactions and ensure HR processes are accurate, timely, compliant, and consistently applied.
• Supervise, develop, and provide direction to the VMC HR/Finance Analyst responsible for day-to-day HR operations and designated financial support activities.
• Analyze workforce trends and HR metrics to identify needs, support decision-making, and recommend improvements.
• Support organizational change initiatives and help hospital leadership effectively communicate and implement changes affecting employees.
• Promote a workplace culture consistent with University and College values and the mission of the Veterinary Medical Center.

Minimum Requirements

The job requires: knowledge equivalent to that which normally would be acquired by completing a four-year college degree program in a human resources area or a related degree; 3 to 5 years of related and progressively more responsible or expansive work experience in accounting, management, budget preparation and data base system analysis and maintenance; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Desired Qualifications

Master’s degree in human resources, business administration, organizational development, labor relations, or a related field.

Professional human resources certification such as SHRM-CP, SHRM-SCP, PHR, or SPHR.

Experience providing HR leadership in a complex organization; significant experience with employee relations, labor relations, conflict resolution, performance management, and organizational change; demonstrated experience coaching and developing supervisors and leaders; and experience supervising professional staff.

Experience working in a unionized environment and/or higher education setting is strongly preferred. Experience working within a healthcare, veterinary, academic medical, or similarly complex operational environment is also desirable.

Demonstrated ability to organize and manage a demanding workload with minimal supervision; excellent written and verbal communication skills; strong judgment and problem-solving skills; business acumen; and demonstrated integrity, discretion, and ability to maintain confidentiality.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, citizenship, age, disability or protected veteran status.

Required Application Materials

Resume, cover letter, and three professional references

Work Hours

STANDARD 8-5

Website

https://cvm.msu.edu/hospital

Bidding eligibility ends October 27, 2026, at 11:55 PM