Executive Director, People and Culture
The University of Chicago

Department

ARD Human Resources

About the Department

Alumni Relations and Development (ARD) engages alumni (~220k), current students, parents, and friends of the University through intellectual, professional, and social activities on campus, around the world and online. ARD raises $600 Million annually to support faculty and researchers, practitioners and patients, and students and programs across the University. Our work supports priorities in every division, school, department, and institute.

The ARD People and Culture team plays a crucial role in cultivating a supportive and thriving workplace environment. The team is dedicated to attracting top talent through effective recruitment strategies and ensuring a smooth onboarding process for new hires. Additionally, the team champions ongoing professional development and learning programs to empower staff to excel in their roles and contribute meaningfully to ARD's goals. By fostering a culture of inclusivity, collaboration, and accountability, the People and Culture team enhances employee satisfaction and retention, ultimately strengthening and extending the work of ARD for the University.

The Executive Director of People and Culture at ARD plays a pivotal role in crafting and executing a dynamic people and culture strategy aligned with the organization's mission and values. Leading a team of approximately 12 professionals, the Executive Director drives talent acquisition, learning and development, employee engagement, and HR operation programs. This position supports the University's commitment to diversity and equity through the lens of human resources, talent management, learning, and staff engagement.

Job Summary

This position manages multiple teams of managers and professional staff responsible for designing, implementing, and monitoring a variety of human resource programs. Develops department plans to address long-term human resource needs and trends. Accountable for the performance and results of multiple human resources related teams.

Responsibilities

• Develops the strategic direction for the People and Culture team with senior leadership to promote a growth mindset among leaders and staff through innovation, agency, and inclusion. Leads the human resources, talent management, and learning and development teams to serve internal and external clients in a positive and effective manner.
• Designs and implements programs to engage and retain employees, including development pathways and performance management processes. Elicits feedback through employee surveys, focus groups, and employee engagement programs to support a data-driven approach to continuous quality improvement.
• Fosters a positive and inclusive work environment that promotes employee engagement, satisfaction, and retention. Supports the University's commitment to diversity and equity.
• Leads all activities related to human resources policies, programs, and practices for ARD in compliance with federal, state, and local employment laws plus University policies. Crafts effective communications regarding compliance tasks and employment updates.
• Develops and supports learning and development initiatives for ARD staff in areas of highest priority with a focus on role-specific skills, management training, team collaboration, and professional growth. Develops and supports fundraiser training programs for all levels of fundraisers.
• Develops, refines, and implements recruitment and hiring procedures to support managers in all phases of the hiring process. Develops and maintains contacts with educational institutions, executive placement firms, and other recruitment sources, and determines online and other recruiting strategies for attracting and recruiting top candidates. Stays abreast of industry best practices.
• Administers the ARD compensation program with an eye to competitive market position. Conducts job analysis to determine and make initial assessments along with senior leaders on appropriate salary levels for employees, both upon hire, as they advance in their careers. Coordinates with colleagues across campus on employment and compensation issues. Maintains vigilance on external market competitiveness.
• Counsels managers and staff in progressive discipline procedures and, in coordination with central Human Resources representatives, advises on the resolution of employee relations issues.
• Interprets and responds to questions and helps employees access the full complement of University benefits and employee services available to them in coordination with central HR representatives.
• Ensures UChicago's human resource information systems (HRIS) platform (Workday), is accurate at all times. Oversees development of reports to share with senior leaders.
• Seeks opportunities for professional development that will enhance job performance, including building networks within the University and with colleagues at peer institutions and with an eye towards broadly diversifying the advancement profession.
• Represents the unit in grievances, complaints, or legal issues, and works with the appropriate University offices to coordinate resolutions.
• Manages managers and professional staff. Establishes performance goals, allocates resources and assesses policies for direct subordinates. Monitors human resources responsibilities, performance management, and the supervision of staff members in a unit.
• Develops and implements short- and long-term human resources plans and operational policies for a unit. Develops and administers the HR budget for the unit and manages expenses.
• Performs other related work as needed.

Minimum Qualifications

Education:
Minimum requirements include a college or university degree in related field.
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Work Experience:
Minimum requirements include knowledge and skills developed through 7+ years of work experience in a related job discipline.
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Certifications:

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Preferred Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor's or advanced degree.

Experience:

• A minimum of ten years of professional work experience in nonprofit management, fundraising and/or higher education, or customer service.
• A minimum of six years of project management experience.
• A minimum of four years of management experience, including staff.
• A minimum of two years of experience developing and monitoring budgets.
• Understanding of philanthropy, higher education, and fundraising programs.

Technical Skills or Knowledge:

• Demonstrated skill and knowledge of, or ability to learn quickly, the internal workings of the University as well as the technology tools available to the Office of Alumni Relations and Development, including the Donor Management System, Microsoft Windows computer environment, Microsoft Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Visio, and Tableau. Knowledge of Salesforce a plus.

Preferred Competencies

• Outstanding interpersonal and communications skills characterized by the ability to listen, speak, and write effectively.
• Comprehensive understanding of organizational development and human resources operations. Solves challenges strategically and provide effective communications internally and externally.
• Manage confidential information with discretion and tact.
• Act with integrity, professionalism, and confidentiality.
• Work collegially and collaboratively in a team setting.
• Strong decision making and time management skills with the ability to successfully prioritize and handle multiple tasks.
• Demonstrated strong leadership skills, such as negotiation, conflict management skills, and influencing skills.
• Give and receive positive, constructive feedback within team and cross-functional teams.
• Flexible, adaptable, and build rapport easily. Adapt style to suit different audiences.

Working Conditions

• This position has a hybrid work schedule which includes weekly in office presence.
• Standard office environment.
• Travel to campus and/or non-campus locations for University business.
• Work evenings and weekends as needed.
• This position is in Hyde Park at 5235 South Harper Court.

Application Documents

• Resume/CV (required)
• Cover Letter, addressed to Ellen-Marie Muhlbacher (preferred)

When applying, the document(s) MUSTbe uploaded via the My Experience page, in the section titled Application Documents of the application.

Job Family

Human Resources

Role Impact

People Manager

FLSA Status

Exempt

Pay Frequency

Monthly

Scheduled Weekly Hours

37.5

Benefits Eligible

Yes

Drug Test Required

No

Health Screen Required

No

Motor Vehicle Record Inquiry Required

No

Posting Statement

The University of Chicago is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity/Disabled/Veterans and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, age, status as an individual with a disability, military or veteran status, genetic information, or other protected classes under the law. For additional information please see the University's Notice of Nondiscrimination.

Staff Job seekers in need of a reasonable accommodation to complete the application process should call 773-702-5800 or submit a request via Applicant Inquiry Form.

We seek a diverse pool of applicants who wish to join an academic community that places the highest value on rigorous inquiry and encourages a diversity of perspectives, experiences, groups of individuals, and ideas to inform and stimulate intellectual challenge, engagement, and exchange.

All offers of employment are contingent upon a background check that includes a review of conviction history. A conviction does not automatically preclude University employment. Rather, the University considers conviction information on a case-by-case basis and assesses the nature of the offense, the circumstances surrounding it, the proximity in time of the conviction, and its relevance to the position.

The University of Chicago's Annual Security & Fire Safety Report (Report) provides information about University offices and programs that provide safety support, crime and fire statistics, emergency response and communications plans, and other policies and information. The Report can be accessed online at:http://securityreport.uchicago.edu.Paper copies of the Report are available, upon request, from the University of Chicago Police Department, 850 E. 61st Street, Chicago, IL 60637.

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