Executive Director of Human Resources

Executive Director of Human Resources

Human Resources

JOB SUMMARY:

The Executive Director of Human Resources provides overall leadership and direction for the University’s human resources function, overseeing employee and labor relations, talent management, benefits and total rewards, training and development, HRIS, and the HR Service Center.

Serving as the University’s senior HR leader, this role partners closely with academic and administrative leadership, including the Provost’s Office and senior administrators, to support a workforce that includes faculty, staff, and student employees. The Executive Director ensures HR strategies, policies, and operations align with institutional priorities, support a positive and inclusive campus culture, and comply with all applicable federal, state, and local employment laws.

Operating in a complex, unionized, and shared governance environment, this role is responsible for the overall effectiveness, consistency, and continuous improvement of HR services across the University.

SALARY INFORMATION:

In compliance with New York’s Pay Transparency Act, the annual base salary range for this position is $140,000 - $150,000. Adelphi University considers factors such as departmental budgets, scope and responsibilities of the position, candidate’s work experience, education/training, key skills, internal peer equity, as well as market and organizational considerations when extending an offer. The above hiring range represents the University’s good faith and reasonable estimate of the range of possible compensation at the time of posting. An annual base salary higher than the range may be warranted in circumstances where a candidate has demonstrable equivalent prior higher education experience at another University.

Adelphi University provides a comprehensive benefit package for faculty and staff employees. For a list of benefits provided to employees, please click here.

REPORTS TO: Executive Vice President for Finance and Administration

RESPONSIBILITIES & DUTIES

HR Leadership & Strategy:

1. Provide strategic leadership and oversight of all HR functions.
2. Align HR priorities and initiatives with institutional goals and workforce needs.
3. Serve as a senior advisor to University leadership on human capital, organizational effectiveness, and risk management.

Employee & Labor Relations:

1. Oversee employee and labor relations strategy, including administration of collective bargaining agreements and negotiations.
2. Provide guidance on complex employee relations matters, investigations, and dispute resolution.
3. Ensure consistent, fair, and legally compliant employment practices.

Talent & Organizational Effectiveness:

1. Oversee talent acquisition, performance management, and succession planning strategies.
2. Support organizational development, change management, and employee engagement initiatives.
3. Partner with leadership to address workforce planning and retention priorities.

Total Rewards, HR Operations & Systems:

1. Provide oversight of benefits, compensation, HRIS, and HR service delivery.
2. Ensure programs are competitive, efficient, and aligned with best practices.
3. Leverage data, systems, and reporting to inform decision-making and improve service delivery.

Compliance & Policy:

1. Ensure compliance with all federal, state, and local employment laws and regulations.
2. Oversee development and implementation of HR policies, procedures, and internal controls.
3. Partner with legal counsel on risk mitigation and employment-related matters.

Operational Effectiveness:

1. Drive continuous improvement of HR processes, systems, and service models.
2. Establish metrics and accountability to ensure high-quality, responsive HR services.

Leadership & Team Development:

1. Lead, develop, and evaluate HR leadership staff across functional areas.
2. Foster a collaborative, service-oriented HR culture with clear accountability and performance expectations.

Other Duties:

1. Participate in institutional committees and initiatives as appropriate.
2. Perform other job-related duties as assigned.

REQUIREMENTS (Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities):

1. Broad knowledge of human resources management, including labor relations, employee relations, total rewards, and talent management.
2. Strong understanding of federal, state, and local employment laws and regulations.
3. Experience working in a unionized environment and administering collective bargaining agreements.
4. Ability to lead through others and manage multiple functional areas effectively.
5. Strong judgment, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
6. Excellent interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to influence across all levels of the organization.
7. Experience with HR systems, data analytics, and process improvement.
8. Ability to manage sensitive and confidential information with discretion.
9. Understanding of shared governance and the higher education environment.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS:

1. Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related field is required.
2. Master’s degree is preferred.
3. Minimum of 8 - 10 years of progressively responsible HR experience, including leadership of multiple functional areas.
4. Demonstrated experience in employee and labor relations, preferably in a unionized environment.
5. Experience in higher education is strongly preferred.
6. Professional HR certification (e.g., SHRM-SCP, SPHR) is preferred.

POSITION(S) SUPERVISED:

1. Executive Director of Benefits, Learning and Development.
2. Director of HR Service Center and Systems.
3. Senior HR Partner.

ABOUT ADELPHI:

Adelphi University, New York, is a highly awarded, nationally ranked, powerfully connected doctoral research university dedicated to transforming students’ lives through small classes with world-class faculty, hands-on learning and innovative ways to support academic and career success. Adelphi offers exceptional liberal arts and sciences programs and professional training, with particular strength in our Core Four - Arts and Humanities, STEM and Social Sciences, the Business and Education Professions, and Health and Wellness. Recognized as a Best College by U.S. News & World Report, Adelphi is Long Island’s oldest private coeducational university, serving more than 7,300 students at its beautiful main campus in Garden City, at learning hubs in Manhattan, the Hudson Valley and Suffolk County, and online. The University offers students 72 undergraduate programs and 92 master’s degree and doctoral programs in the liberal arts, the sciences and professional training. With powerful partnerships throughout the New York area, more than 123,000 graduates across the country, a growing enrollment of students from 44 states and 63 countries, and rising rankings from top publications and organizations, Adelphi is a dynamic community that plays a leadership role on Long Island and in the region.