Assistant Director of Human Resources - Concordia University, Chicago

Concordia University Chicago (CUC) invites applications for the full-time, exempt position of Assistant Director of Human Resources. The Assistant Director of HR is responsible for development and implementation of a strategic recruitment plan with the goal of attracting, retaining, and developing a strong workforce dedicated to the mission and vision of Concordia University Chicago. This position assists hiring managers and the Senior Director of HR with appropriate paperwork, approvals, and recruitment techniques, as well as offers, onboarding, new-hire orientation, and other employee engagement initiatives. A key role of this position is to act as an HR Analyst to collect and analyze HR data and metrics to aid in decision-making. The Assistant Director of HR acts as the first contact for employee relations and Title IX situations, keeps the Senior Director informed of such situations, and escalates to the Senior Director when appropriate.

The CUC HR department assists around 400 regular full and part-time faculty and staff, as well as several hundred adjuncts and student workers. This position is located in River Forest, IL and reports directly to the Senior Director of Human Resources.

Responsibilities/Duties:

• Partners with senior university leaders to recruit and retain a faithful, qualified workforce to advance the CUC mission
• Assists with analyzing and coordinating employee retention efforts
• Works with hiring managers and HR Coordinator to obtain hiring paperwork and appropriate approvals, performs internal and external job postings, manages applicant tracker system, runs pre-employment background checks
• Collaborates with HR staff and other CUC departments and stakeholders to create targeted recruitment efforts
• Determines compensation levels and practices for all positions prior to posting to ensure internal and external equity
• Collects and compiles HR metrics and data from a variety of sources including Banner (enterprise resource planning), management and employee surveys, exit interviews, employment records, government labor statistics, competitors' practices, and other sources
• Analyzes data and statistics for trends and patterns with attention to recruitment, hiring practices, engagement, turnover, performance management, and compliance with employment laws and regulations; Helps maintain data integrity in internal systems by running queries and reporting discrepancies to the appropriate departments
• Prepares reports of data results, presenting and explaining findings to senior leadership and external agencies
• Based on metrics and analysis, makes recommendations for policies and activities to optimize the organizational culture, and recruitment and engagement initiatives
• May conduct or assist with conducting classification audits to ensure that jobs are properly classified as exempt or nonexempt
• Ensures compliance with data privacy regulations and best practices
• Informs and advises employees of HR-related policies, procedures and practices
• Collaborates with supervisors in effectively managing employee concerns
• Proactively offers solutions that align with mission and legal requirements, as well as department and university goals
• Maintains visibility and availability in order to assist employees
• Acts as the first contact for employee relations concerns and escalates to the Senior Director when appropriate
• Assists with Title IX student/employee situations
• Partners with the HR team and other stakeholders on employee training and development
• Fosters a culture of professionalism, collegiality, employee engagement, and compliance by implementing effective training and talent management programs and by effectively receiving and responding to employee concerns
• Manages the department during the Senior Director's absence
• Continuously seeks process improvements for HR office, including but not limited to data analysis and updating procedures and documentation
• Continuous education on CUC HR matters, programs, and responsibilities
• Other duties and special projects as assigned
• Candidates must support and be committed to the mission and identity of Concordia University Chicago, a university of the Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod (LCMS)

Skill Sets:

• Ability to provide excellent customer service, support stakeholders at all organizational levels, and develop positive and respectful relationships with faculty and staff
• Thorough understanding of employment law and HR best practices with a preferred focus in an academic setting
• Ability to be an innovative and highly productive team player with a "can do" attitude
• Strong analytical and problem solving skills
• Able to quickly learn the organization's ERP, and other employee management software
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail
• Superior written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills
• Ability to maintain confidential records
• Ability to manage projects related to training, development, and employee experience
• Strong technical skills including Microsoft Office Suite and applicant tracking software; Banner experience preferred
• Strong administrative skills, including related computer and technology skills

Minimum Experience Required:

• 5 or more years of progressive generalist HR experience
• 2 or more years of employee relations and/or Title IX experience

Additional Experience Preferred:

• 1 or more years of recruiting experience, including effective collaboration with hiring managers preferred
• Related experience in a faith-based, non-profit organization preferred
• Prior experience in higher education
• Prior supervisory experience

Education Requirements:

• Bachelor's Degree in Human Resources, Business, Organizational Psychology, or related discipline required; Master's preferred
• HR Certification through SHRM or HRCI preferred

Compensation and Benefits:

Starting range is dependent upon individual qualifications and experience. Concordia University Chicago benefit options include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Health, Dental, and Vision Insurance
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA) and/or Health Savings Account (HSA)
• Disability and Survivor Plan (Basic Life Insurance)
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Retirement Pension Plan
• Retirement 403(b) Savings Plan
• Supplemental Life Insurance
• Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance
• Accident Insurance
• Critical Illness Insurance
• Tuition benefits (available for employees and their qualified dependents)

Application Information:

Interested individuals should include a cover letter, resume and references with their online application.

Concordia does not discriminate in the employment of individuals on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin, disability, sex or age. As an institution of The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod, however, and to the extent allowed by law, Concordia University reserves the right to give preference in employment based upon religious affiliation.

Concordia University Chicago does not generally sponsor for employment visas except for positions that oversee, teach or support our international programs.

About Concordia University Chicago:

Concordia University Chicago is a liberal arts-based Christian university founded in the Lutheran tradition. Through its College of Theology, Arts & Humanities, College of Business, College of Education, and College of Health, Science & Technology, Concordia-Chicago offers more than 160 areas of study in small classes taught by professors who are passionate about teaching and student success. All undergraduate and graduate degrees are fully accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.

Concordia University Chicago has been recognized as a College of Distinction since 2010, and is consistently ranked among the Best Regional Universities-Midwest by U.S. News & World Report. For more than a decade, combined undergraduate and graduate enrollment has exceeded 5,000 students. Concordia University Chicago is located in River Forest, 10 miles west of downtown Chicago. Learn more about our commitment to higher education, rooted in the Gospel, at CUChicago.edu.

Steadfast in Jesus Christ as revealed in the Holy Scriptures, Concordia University Chicago promotes academic rigor in its liberal arts and professional programs; grounds students in objective truth, integrity, and excellence; and practices faithfulness to the Confessional teachings of the Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod, as it forms students for vocations in church, family, and the world.