Senior Director- Human Resources

Excelsior College; City of Albany (NY); Hybrid; USD 110,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Excelsior University in Albany, NY is seeking a Senior Director of Human Resources to lead strategic HR initiatives, steward organizational effectiveness, and foster a people-centered culture across the institution. This hybrid role partners with university leadership to deliver high-quality HR services aligned with the mission and priorities.

You will oversee employee relations, payroll, benefits, talent acquisition, learning and development, and HR operations while guiding budget oversight and

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in human resources or related field.
• 5–10 years of progressively responsible HR experience.
• 3+ years of HR leadership or management experience.
• Experience in organizational leadership, employee relations, strategic planning, and project management.
• Strong understanding of HR operations, employment practices, and organizational development.
• Excellent interpersonal, communication, and relationship-building skills.
• Ability to lead collaboratively in a complex organizational environment.

Responsibilities

• Partner with the VP for Human Resources to develop and implement strategic HR initiatives aligned with institutional priorities.
• Support the effective daily operations of the HR department and ensure high-quality service delivery across HR functions.
• Represent Human Resources in university governance, strategic planning activities, councils and task forces, risk assessment and business continuity efforts, and institutional initiatives.
• Lead and manage complex HR projects and organizational initiatives from planning through execution.
• Analyze organizational trends, workforce needs, and HR metrics to support data-informed decision-making.
• Support employee relations efforts and provide guidance on performance management, conflict resolution, workplace investigations, policy interpretation, and employee concerns.
• Mentor and coach managers and supervisors on leadership effectiveness, employee engagement, and talent development.
• Assist in cultivating a workplace environment recognized as a best place to work.

Skills

Strategic thinking

Organizational leadership

Project management

Employee relations

Communication skills

HR operations

Data-driven decision making

Education

Master’s degree in human resources / related field

Job description

The Senior Director of Human Resources is a strategic leadership role responsible for supporting the operational excellence, organizational effectiveness, and people-centered culture of the University. Reporting to the Vice President for Human Resources, the Senior Director serves as a key advisor and operational leader within the HRdepartment, helping ensure efficient and responsive HR services that support the institution’s mission, values, and strategic priorities.

This hybrid position requires exceptional communication, organizational leadership, strategic planning, and project management skills. The Senior Director partners closely with university leadership, governance groups, andotherdepartmentstofoster productive working relationships, strengthen organizational culture, and advance the University as an employer of choice.

The Senior Director supports multiple functional areas within Human Resources, including employee relations, payroll, benefits, talent acquisition, learning and development, HR operations, and budget oversight. The role alsorepresentsHuman Resources in institutional governance, strategic planning initiatives, and cross-functional leadership efforts.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership & HR Operations

• Partner with the Vice President for Human Resources to develop and implement strategic HR initiatives aligned with institutional priorities.
• Support the effective daily operations of the HRdepartmentand ensure high-quality service delivery across HR functions.
• Represent Human Resources in university governance, strategic planning activities,councilsand task forces,risk assessment and business continuityefforts,and institutional initiatives.
• Lead and manage complex HR projects and organizational initiatives from planning through execution.
• Analyze organizational trends, workforce needs, and HR metrics to support data-informed decision-making.

Employee Relations & Organizational Effectiveness

• Supportsemployee relations efforts andprovidesguidance on performance management, conflict resolution,workplaceinvestigations, policy interpretation, andemployeeconcerns.
• Promote a positive, inclusive, and collaborative workplace culture that reflects institutional values.
• Mentor and coach managers and supervisors on leadership effectiveness, employee engagement, and talent development.
• Support initiatives that strengthen employee morale, retention, and organizational trust.
• Assistin cultivating a workplace environment recognized asa bestplace to work.

Leadership Development & Talent Management

• Support leadership development and succession planning initiatives across the institution.
• Helpidentifyand nurture internal talent through mentoring, coaching, and professional development strategies.
• Collaborate with HR leadership to advance learning and development programs for faculty, staff, and supervisors.
• Partner with talent acquisition efforts to support strategic recruitment and workforce planning initiatives.

Budget & Administrative Oversight

• Assistwith development, management, and oversight of the Human Resources budget.
• Monitor expenditures and support fiscally responsible operations within the HRdepartment.
• Contribute to policy development, compliance efforts, and operational process improvementsin collaboration with the Senior Director of HR Programs.
• Ensure HR practices align with applicable federal, state, and institutional regulations and policiesin collaboration with the Senior Director of HR Programs and General Counsel.
• Build strong collaborative relationships with academic and administrative leaders across the University.
• Serve as a trusted advisor to leaders on organizational and workforce matters.
• Promote transparency, communication, and responsiveness within HR and across campus stakeholders.
• Support cross-functional collaboration to enhance employee experience and institutional effectiveness.

Required Qualifications

• Master’s degree inhuman resources, Business Administration, Higher Education Administration, ora relatedfield.
• Minimum of 5–10 years of progressively responsible Human Resources experience.
• Minimum of 3 years of HR leadership or management experience.
• Demonstrated experience in organizational leadership, employee relations, strategic planning, and project management.
• Strong understanding of HR operations, employment practices, and organizational development principles.
• Excellent interpersonal, communication, and relationship-building skills.
• Demonstrated ability to lead collaboratively in a complex organizational environment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Human Resources experience within higher education or other complex institutional environments.
• Experience supporting shared governance structures and institutional strategic planning.
• Professional HR certification (e.g.,SHRM-CP,SHRM-SCP, SPHR)preferred.
• Experience managing budgets and leading cross-functional initiatives.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Strategic thinking and organizational leadership capabilities.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and complex projects effectively.
• Strong conflict resolution, coaching, and consultation skills.
• High levelof professionalism, discretion, and sound judgment.
• Ability to foster trust andmaintaincollaborative relationships across diverse constituencies.
• Commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and employee engagement.
• Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving abilities.

This positionoperatesin a hybrid work environment and requiresregularinofficeengagement with university leaders, employees, and stakeholders. Occasional evening or weekend responsibilities may berequiredto support institutional initiatives and events.

The hiring salary range for this position is $110,000.00 - $120,000.00. The hiring salary range above represents the University's good faith estimate at the time of posting.

AA/EOE/ADA

Excelsior University is an equal opportunity employer committed to ensuring all qualified applicants receive consideration for employment without regard to any legally protected characteristic.