Senior Human Resources Manager

Colorado State University; Fort Collins (CO); Hybrid; USD 100,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Colorado State University’s Division of Human Resources is seeking a Senior HR Manager to serve as the senior HR presence for an assigned college. You will translate enterprise HR strategy into unit actions and advise leaders on workforce decisions.

In this role you will coach leaders, lead the embedded HR team, manage workload, and coordinate with COEs and Shared Services to apply standards with local context, ensuring strategic alignment and effective organizational design.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in HR, business, or related field required.
• Progressive HR experience with leadership-facing responsibilities.
• Knowledge of federal/state employment laws and HR practices.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the primary HR advisor to the dean/VP and unit leadership on workforce strategy and organizational design.
• Coach leaders through change, restructuring, and high-risk people decisions.
• Lead embedded HR staff and ensure service standards are met across the unit.
• Coordinate with COEs and Shared Services to apply enterprise solutions locally.

Skills

Strategic advisory

Leadership coaching

Employee relations

Organizational design

Workforce planning

Education

Bachelor's degree in HR, business, or related field

Job description

Job DescriptionPosition SummaryThe Senior Human Resources Manager (Sr. HR Manager) serves as the senior HR presence within an assigned college or division and leads the unit’s embedded HR team. Reporting to a Senior HRBP with a dotted line to the dean or VP, this role is the strategic interface between enterprise HR and the embedded units by advising leadership on workforce decisions, connecting the unit to the Centers of Expertise (COEs) and Shared Services, and ensuring enterprise standards are applied with appropriate local context. The Sr. HR Manager translates institutional HR strategy into unit-level action.At Colorado State University, the Division of Human Resources supports employees and leaders across the university throughout the employee experience. Our work helps CSU attract, develop, engage, and retain the people who advance the university’s mission of teaching, research, service, and extension. We are continuing to strengthen how HR works across CSU by building a more connected HR experience, creating greater clarity and consistency, growing our HR community, and evolving how we work to meet the university’s future needs. Learn more about the Division of Human Resources, our work, and the values that guide how we serve CSU at: https://hr.colostate.edu/about-hr/our-values/ .Roles hired through this pool may primarily serve a unit or college and will have the opportunity to support additional campus human resources teams. Positions will be onsite with possibility for hybrid work.Job DutiesStrategic Advisory & Leadership PartnershipServe as the primary HR advisor to the dean/VP and unit leadership team on workforce strategy, organizational design, talent risks, employee relations, and leadership effectiveness within a shared governance en vironmentTranslate enterprise HR strategy and institutional priorities into unit-relevant actions, processes, and clear decision guidance for leaders .Coach leaders and managers through change, restructuring, difficult conversations, and complex or high-risk people decisionsParticipate in the unit’s strategic and workforce planning in alignment with enterprise HR strategyTeam Leadership & DevelopmentLead, coach, and develop the unit’s embedded HR staff; set clear role expectations and hold the team accountable to enterprise service and escalation standardsManage workload distribution and coverage across the team based on unit size, complexity, and risk; ensure consistent service through peak cyclesOperational AlignmentAct as the connector between the unit and the COEs, ensuring COE-designed solutions are applied consistently and effectively within the unit in areas of talent acquisition, talent management, total rewards, employee relations, time and labor, absence, data management, and payroll functionsProvide initial employee relations consultation and guidance including coaching managers and facilitating conflict resolutionSteward complex, high-risk, cross-unit, repeat, or strategic matters to the Senior HRBP, COEs, or Shared Services through proper escalation paths.Workforce Strategy & Organizational HealthSupport unit-specific workforce planning, performance management, talent strategy, succession considerations, and organizational effectiveness in partnership with the Senior HRBPUse workforce and people data to surface risks and trends and to inform unit leadership decisions; translate analytics into actionable insight for non-HR leadersSteward enterprise standards while balancing unit nuances .Monitor unit workforce outcomes and partner with leaders to act on themConditions of EmploymentPre-employment Background CheckMinimum QualificationsBachelor’s degree in HR, business, or a related field, or equivalent combination of education and experience5+ years of progressive HR experience, including business partner or generalist work with leadership-facing responsibilityDemonstrated working knowledge of federal and state employment laws, regulations, and HR practices, with the ability to advise leaders in their application to workforce matters .Demonstrated experience managing employee relations matters and advising leaders on performance management, workforce planning, organizational design, and organizational effectivenessPreferred QualificationsHigher education or other shared-governance / faculty-relations experienceExperience leading or maturing an HRBP function during organizational changeFamiliarity with Workday and data-informed HR practiceExperience with labor relations, talent management , talent acquisition, training, and total rewards.Experience leading, coaching, and developing staffSalary Range$ 100,000-$130,000Application InstructionsTo apply, please upload a Resume and a Cover Letter. This is an evergreen posting . Applications will be reviewed as hiring needs arise, and qualified applicants may be contacted if a suitable opportunity becomes available.Please note, applicants may redact information from their application materials that identifies their age, date of birth, or dates of attendance at or graduation from an educational institution.Employee BenefitsColorado State University is not just a workplace; it’s a thriving community that’s transforming lives and improving the human condition through world-class teaching, research, and service. With a robust benefits package, collaborative atmosphere, and focus on work-life balance, CSU is where you can thrive, grow, and make a lasting impact.Background Check Policy StatementColorado State University strives to provide a safe study, work, and living environment for its faculty, staff, volunteers and students. To support this environment and comply with applicable laws and regulations, CSU conducts background checks for the finalist before a final offer. The type of background check conducted varies by position and can include, but is not limited to, criminal history, sex offender registry, motor vehicle history, financial history, and/or education verification. Background checks will also be conducted when required by law or contract and when, in the discretion of the University, it is reasonable and prudent to do so.EEOColorado State University (CSU) provides equal employment opportunities to all applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.