The Director of Human Resources at our client, Howard Community College, provides hands-on leadership for the daily operations of the Human Resources office. In partnership with the college’s Associate Vice President for Human Resources, the Director executes department priorities, manages the HR team, and leads and directs operations to ensure routine responsibilities and special projects move forward accurately, consistently, and on schedule. The Director serves as an experienced HR generalist who oversees the daily work in various HR areas and resolves operational issues. The Director takes daily direction from the Associate Vice President for Human Resources and reports to the CampusWorks' Senior Director, Client Engagement, for employment and performance.
Key Responsibilities:
Human Resources Office Operations & Service Delivery
- Lead and deliver the daily work of the Human Resources office in the areas named in the Position Overview, and coordinate compensation and classification actions for Associate Vice President approval.
- Oversee the day-to-day operations, including planning, supervising, delegating, reviewing, editing, tracking, and ensuring timely completion of documents, transactions, routine responsibilities, and special projects in alignment with the Howard Community College's needs.
- Turn the priorities set by the Associate Vice President for Human Resources into operational plans, and decide how and when the work gets done, including assignments, workflow, schedules, service standards, staff development, and process improvements; assign and track work, monitor deadlines and outstanding items, and hold assigned staff accountable for timely and accurate completion.
- As a working director, work directly with the HR team on HR transactions, research, records, correspondence, documentation, and problem resolution while maintaining visibility into the department’s overall workload.
- Review and proofread HR documents and routine correspondence for accuracy, consistency, completeness, and appropriate approvals.
- Identify workflow gaps, clarify responsibilities, and improve processes, documentation, service standards, and internal controls across the HR function.
- Respond to HR questions and requests from managers and supervisors, route case-level employee relations matters to the HCC Employee Relations and Case Management Advisor, and independently resolve routine operational matters within established policies, procedures, and delegated authority. Escalate matters requiring policy interpretation, institutional decision-making, or authority beyond the Director’s delegated responsibilities to the Associate Vice President for Human Resources.
Staff Supervision & Team Coordination
- Supervise, hire, train, coach, and lead CampusWorks onsite HR staff and coordinate the daily work of HCC HR employees; set clear expectations, allocate work, review progress, and promote accountability and collaboration.
- Evaluate CampusWorks staff performance, recommend development priorities and merit levels in accordance with CampusWorks processes, provide performance input on HCC HR employees to the Associate Vice President, and provide training and coaching to strengthen individual and team effectiveness.
- Build cross-training and backup coverage so the department can respond effectively to changing priorities, vacancies, and peak workload periods.
- Provide practical guidance on operational HR matters and participate directly in the work when needed to maintain service levels.
Human Resources Generalist Leadership
- Provide operational oversight and hands-on support for recruitment and talent acquisition, benefits administration, onboarding and offboarding, compensation administration, classification, position management, HR records, operational compliance, and policy administration.
- Oversee recruitment and talent acquisition operations, ensuring assigned staff effectively support hiring managers, maintain timely and consistent recruitment processes, and coordinate position posting, selection, pre-employment requirements, and onboarding activities.
- Administer the job description review and position classification processes, developing recommendations for Associate Vice President approval when decisions involve significant organizational, compensation, or policy implications.
- Direct benefits administration, ensuring assigned staff effectively manage employee benefit programs, enrollment activities, leave and workers’ compensation administration, vendor coordination, employee communications, issue resolution, and related reporting.
- Oversee administrative offboarding processes, ensuring assigned staff complete required documentation, records updates, benefits and retirement notifications, and other separation-related administrative activities accurately and timely.
- Administer HR policies and procedures within the position’s scope and refer interpretation involving employee relations, labor relations, collective bargaining, grievances, discipline, or investigations to the designated HCC employee.
- Coordinate the employee accommodation process and related documentation under the direction of the College’s designated Employee ADA Officer, in accordance with College policy and applicable requirements.
- Monitor operational adherence to approved HR policies and compliance requirements and coordinate corrective actions involving records, processes, required notices, and reporting within the position’s assigned areas; elevate significant compliance risks and policy interpretation questions to the Associate Vice President.
- Provide administrative and system support for personnel actions approved by HCC leadership, ensuring assigned staff process authorized transactions, maintain approved templates, confirm required approvals, update HR systems, and complete appropriate records documentation.
Personnel Records, Employment Eligibility, & Data Administration
- Coordinate personnel records management, including personnel files, job descriptions, employment documentation, benefit records, and other confidential operational HR records maintained within the position’s assigned scope.
- Monitor the accurate and timely recording of personnel actions, including hiring, promotions, probationary periods, transfers, position changes, designated absence records, and performance evaluation completion.
- Oversee Form I-9 compliance and coordinate employment eligibility, visa, and permanent residency administration in partnership with appropriate college offices and external resources.
- Retain, secure, and produce HR records in accordance with college policy, applicable requirements, and approved records schedules.
- Ensure HR staff maintain accurate information in the college’s HR information systems and support periodic audits and data-quality corrections led by the HRIS Analyst.
Budget, Vendors, & Administrative Coordination
- Manage the Human Resources office operational budget, including tracking spending against the approved budget, reviewing invoices, and reporting variances to the Associate Vice President; support the Associate Vice President and Finance in developing personnel budgets and resource requests; final budget priorities and approvals remain with the Associate Vice President.
- Monitor HR expenditures, contracts, and vendor services; support invoice review, purchasing, renewals, and opportunities to improve service or cost effectiveness.
- Coordinate temporary staffing for HR projects when additional capacity is needed.
- Support office logistics, supplies, equipment, document flow, and other administrative needs to maintain efficient operations.
- Maintain assigned institutional directories, catalog information, and other published HR-related information.
Systems, Reporting, & Process Improvement
- Use the college’s HR information systems and related tools to support accurate transactions, reporting, recruitment, benefits, position management, and records administration.
- Help strengthen the effective use of Ellucian Colleague, NEOGOV/NEOED, and other HR technologies through sound procedures, data quality practices, user support, and process improvement, in partnership with the HRIS Analyst, who owns system setup, data, and reports.
- Review HR reports, dashboards, operational metrics, and compliance information prepared by the HRIS Analyst to monitor workload, identify issues, support decisions, and improve service delivery.
- Partner with HRIS, Payroll, Finance, Information Technology, Planning, Research, and Organizational Development, and other offices to improve workflows, system integration, reporting accuracy, and administrative efficiency.
Leadership & Strategic Support
- Support the Associate Vice President for Human Resources in implementing approved HR strategies, priorities, organizational initiatives, policy changes, and workforce projects.
- Translate the priorities set by the Associate Vice President into practical work plans, assignments, timelines, and follow-up within the HR office.
- Support the Associate Vice President in policy development and lead the operational implementation, communication, training, documentation, and administration of approved HR policies within the position’s assigned areas.
- Represent Human Resources on operational committees, working groups, professional associations, and cross-functional projects as assigned.
- Perform other related HR operations duties as assigned by the Associate Vice President for Human Resources.
Qualifications:
Education
- Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Public Administration, Organizational Leadership, or a related field is required.
- Master’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Public Administration, or a related field is preferred.
- Professional certification such as SHRM-CP, SHRM-SCP, PHR, or SPHR is preferred.
Experience
- Minimum of five years of progressively responsible professional human resources experience with broad generalist responsibility across multiple HR functional areas.
- Human resources experience in higher education is required, and community college experience is preferred.
- Minimum of three years of experience supervising HR staff and coordinating a high-volume, service-oriented HR operation is required.
- Demonstrated experience managing daily operational work while also leading projects and supporting organizational initiatives.
- Experience with employee benefits and recruitment or talent acquisition is highly desirable.
- Experience with personnel records, HR compliance, office budgeting, and HR process improvement is preferred.
- Experience with job classification and compensation, collective bargaining agreements, and HR and Payroll internal controls, including separating who approves, enters, and checks changes, is required.
- Experience with Ellucian Colleague is highly preferred but not required; experience with NEOGOV/NEOED is helpful.
Skills & Competencies
- Strong working knowledge of HR operations, benefits, talent acquisition, compensation and classification practices, records administration, HR compliance, and the operational needs of a community college environment.
- Ability to move comfortably between staff supervision, problem-solving, detailed transactional work, project coordination, and leadership support.
- Excellent organizational and project management skills, with the ability to establish priorities, manage competing deadlines, and ensure follow-through in a high-volume office.
- Sound judgment, discretion, and the ability to handle confidential and sensitive information with professionalism.
- Strong writing, editing, proofreading, verbal communication, and interpersonal skills.
- Ability to build trust and effective working relationships with employees, supervisors, college leaders, vendors, public agencies, and professional peers.
- Proficiency with HR information systems, applicant tracking systems, Microsoft Office, spreadsheets, databases, and reporting tools.
- Ability to recognize matters outside the position’s assigned authority and promptly refer them to the Associate Vice President or other designated HCC employees.
Core Competencies
- Operational Leadership: Organizes people and work, establishes clear priorities, and keeps daily responsibilities and projects moving forward.
- Hands-On Problem Solving: Investigates operational issues, completes detailed work, and works directly with the team on daily work to maintain service and momentum.
- Accountability: Sets clear expectations, monitors progress, and follows through on commitments and deadlines.
- Service Orientation: Provides responsive, practical, and respectful support to employees, supervisors, and college leaders.
- Data Stewardship: Maintains accurate records and protects confidential employee information.
- Collaboration: Builds productive relationships and coordinates effectively across HR functions and college departments.
- Adaptability: Responds constructively to changing priorities, emerging needs, and a wide range of HR operational responsibilities.
Other Requirements:
- Regular on-site attendance is required.
- Occasional overtime may be required during peak periods, major projects, and critical deadlines.
- Ability to maintain strict confidentiality and adhere to applicable professional and college ethical standards.
- Ability to work effectively in a high-traffic environment with frequent deadlines and interruptions.
What You Can Expect from Us
At CampusWorks, we don't just help our clients succeed; we help our employees succeed. Competitive pay, robust benefits for full-time employees, and professional development opportunities are a few of the many reasons that CampusWorks is a great place to build your career.
Our employees enjoy:
Meaningful work. Our employees often tell us that their work gives them a sense of purpose because it makes a difference in the lives of students and educators. CampusWorks Inc., as a large consulting firm, provides its employees with an opportunity to work both onsite and remotely with our clients across the United States and in Canada. With the nature of our clients’ work evolving quickly, we’re all being asked to support larger CampusWorks initiatives. Upon joining CampusWorks in a consulting role, your talent and expertise may be applied to a range of projects, assignments, and clients.
A virtual and onsite workplace. In an effort to reduce our environmental footprint, CampusWorks became a virtual company in 2012. As such, our team members are located across the U.S. and Canada, where they work from their home offices and at client sites.
Flexibility. We value work-life balance because we know that happy employees create happy customers. That's why CampusWorks offers both full-time and part-time 1099 consulting career opportunities to fit life's unique demands.
A company that gives back. Every year CampusWorks proudly supports numerous charitable fundraising initiatives that align with our vision to make higher education accessible to everyone.
At CampusWorks, we value the unique backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives each CampusWorker (we call ourselves CampusWorkers) brings to our workplace each day. We believe everyone deserves a fair shot at success and appreciate the experiences each person brings beyond the traditional job requirements. If you are passionate about higher education and creating Happy Campuses, let's talk! If you’re a close but not exact match with the description, we hope you’ll still consider applying.
Founded in 1999, CampusWorks is dedicated to helping higher education overcome business and technological challenges that stand in the way of student success and completion. We work with community colleges, technical colleges, four-year public and private institutions, multi-college districts, and statewide higher education systems to tackle problems big and small. Our services are rooted in systems thinking and reach across the institution—from Student Services to Human Resources to Finance to Academics—to achieve transformative results.
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