HR Director

HR Director

Reporting to the Associate Vice Chancellor for Budget and Human Resources, the Human Resources Director oversees the daily operations of the Office of Human Resources for the University of Wisconsin - La Crosse. This position is responsible for managing core HR services, ensuring accurate and timely HR transactions, and supporting employees, supervisors, and campus partners with HR processes and information. Core functional areas of the Office of Human Resources include talent acquisition, payroll and benefits, employee relations support, performance management administration, and training coordination. This position works in partnership with other university offices to ensure the university's compliance with federal and state laws and regulations and Universities of Wisconsin personnel policies and procedures.

The review of applications starts on September 7, 2026. Applications received on or before September 7th are prioritized and review will continue until the position(s) is/are filled. Initial interviews will be conducted virtually, with shortlisted candidates invited to campus.

UW-La Crosse does not offer H-1B or other work authorization visa sponsorship for this position. Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States at the time of hire and maintain work authorization throughout the employment term. If you have questions regarding this, please contact Human Resources at View phone number on click.appcast.io.

Key Job Responsibilities

Compliance

Maintain knowledge of federal and state employment laws as well as Universities of Wisconsin personnel policies and institutional reporting requirements.

HR Information Technology

Provide functional leadership for the Workday HCM system. Leverage Workday and related HR technologies to deliver accurate data, enhance HR service, and strengthen compliance. Lead efforts to train and support campus stakeholders in the effective use of Workday and associated HR systems.

Leadership & Management

Lead the day-to-day operations of the Office of Human Resources, including staffing, workflow, and high-quality service delivery. Foster a professional and positive work environment that promotes collaboration and constructive problem solving. Ensure consistent application of HR procedures and responsive customer service. Serve as a resource to campus constituents and the HR staff, and oversee the core functions and services of the Office of Human Resources for faculty, academic staff, university staff, and student employees. Core responsibilities include payroll and benefit administration, employee relations, training and development, employee assistance programs, and oversight of the Workday HCM system.

Financial Management

Responsible for managing and administering the annual operating budget for the Office of Human Resources.

Policy & Procedures

In collaboration with the Associate Vice Chancellor for Budget and Human Resources, develop and implement policies and procedures that meet the human resource needs of the university and support the recruitment and retention of faculty and staff. Apply a comprehensive and strategic approach to communicating human resource policies and procedures to employees and supervisors. Assure guidance and support is also provided to employees and their shared governance groups in a manner that minimizes conflicts in the workplace and promotes communication and enhanced performance.

Campus Collaboration

Work in close collaboration with the Office of Civil Rights and Compliance as well as university divisions, colleges, departments, and offices to develop strategies, programs, and policies that create and support an inclusive work environment.

Required Qualifications

• A bachelor's degree in human resources, business, or public administration, or related field is required
• 5 years leading human resource functions, which may including employee recruitment and retention, performance and evaluation planning, employee relations, payroll and benefits, employee and supervisor training, and career and leadership development.
• Outstanding interpersonal skills and the ability to interact with a broad range of people. Strong presentation skills.
• A collaborative, team-oriented style. The ability to develop solid collaborative relationships with a diverse group of campus constituents including faculty, staff, and students.
• A demonstrated service orientation and proactive in providing service and support to campus stakeholders.
• Working knowledge of and ability to apply federal and state employment laws and regulations, including EEO, ADA, and other workplace compliance requirements.

Preferred Qualifications

• A master's degree in human resources, business or public administration, or related field.
• Professional certification in human resources.
• Progressively responsible experience in human resource management in higher education
• A total of eight or more years of experience in human resource management and supervision in a higher education, public sector, or private sector setting.
• Strong working knowledge and experience with Workday

How to Apply

Required application documents

Cover letter (that addresses the required and preferred qualifications)

CV / Resume

Contact Information

Emily Roraff View email address on click.appcast.io

Special Notes

Application deadlines TO ENSURE CONSIDERATION: Priority consideration is given to those candidates who apply by the listed 'First Review Date'. Applications received after that date may be considered at the discretion of the search committee. Application materials will be evaluated, and the most qualified applicants will be invited to participate in the next step of the selection process. Incomplete and/or late application materials may not receive consideration. If you have questions regarding this recruitment, or if you are not able to complete the application online due to a disability or system problem, please contact the Office of Human Resources. Confidentiality of Applicant Materials UWL is a state agency and subject to Wisconsin's Open Records Law. UWL will not, however, reveal the identities of applicants who request confidentiality in writing except as may be required by Wisconsin's Open Records law. In certain circumstances, the identities of 'final candidates' and/or the identity of the appointed applicant must be revealed upon request. CBC & Reference Check Policy All candidates for employment are subject to a pre-employment screening which includes a criminal background check, work authorization, and verification of education. It will also require you and your references to answer questions regarding sexual violence and sexual harassment.

Annual Security and Fire Safety Report (Clery Act) For the UWL Annual Security and Fire Safety Reports (i.e., Clery Report), which includes statistics about reported crimes and information about campus security policies, see or contact the University Police Department at View phone number on click.appcast.io.

INFORMATION ABOUT YOUR BENEFITS Your benefits add an additional 40%+ to the overall financial package from the university. Highlights include:

• Paid vacation for 12-month positions.
• Excellent flexible health insurance with low co-pays and good coverage.
• Paid holidays and paid sick days.
• After 5 years of employment, you become vested in our retirement system which ensures income post-career.
• Benefits at UWL are highly competitive with local industry and some of the strongest in state and nation.

Benefit eligibility is determined at the point of hire. This information is provided for illustrative purposes only. Benefits are also pro-rated based on the appointment percentage.

UW is an Equal Opportunity Employer Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, pregnancy, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other bases protected by applicable federal or State law and UW System policies. We are committed to building a workforce that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills, and encourage all qualified individuals to apply.