Assistant Director, Human Resources

Job Posting Title:
Assistant Director, Human Resources
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Hiring Department:
Academic Administration and Planning
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Position Open To:
All Applicants
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Weekly Scheduled Hours:
40
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FLSA Status:
Exempt from FLSA
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Earliest Start Date:
Immediately
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Position Duration:
Expected to Continue
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Location:
UT MAIN CAMPUS
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Job Details:

Purpose

The Assistant Director of Human Resources serves in a collaborative leadership role supporting the Director of Human Resources in delivering HR services for the Executive Vice President and Provost (EVPP) portfolio. This role provides operational oversight of HR processes, supports employee relations activities, and ensures consistent execution of Workday HR functions. The Assistant Director works closely with the Director to translate strategic HR priorities into effective day-to-day operations, ensuring high-quality, compliant service delivery. The ideal candidate will be a motivated, adaptable leader with strong problem-solving and communication skills, and able to inspire a team of HR Coordinators.

Responsibilities

1. Human Resources Operations and Supervision

• Support the Director of Human Resources in executing HR strategy and priorities through delegated responsibilities and operational leadership.
• Provide direct supervision to two Human Resources Coordinators, including task delegation, coaching, performance feedback, and evaluations.
• Serve as a mentor and resource to the coordinator, reinforcing consistent practices, professional growth, and effective management of transactional HR work.
• Keep the Director informed of operational issues, trends, and emerging needs, elevating matters as appropriate.
  
  

2. Workday HR Management

• Manage day-to-day business processes, including recruitment, onboarding, position management, compensation actions, and employee lifecycle changes.
• Review and approve Workday transactions for staff, students, contractors, and affiliates in alignment with established policies and escalation protocols.
• Serve as a subject matter expert on Workday and HR procedures, providing guidance to supervisors, unit partners, and campus stakeholders in coordination with the Director.
• Act as a backup to HR operational roles to ensure continuity of service.
  
  

3. Process Development and Operational Coordination

• Partner with the Director to design, refine, and implement HR processes that align with EVPP portfolio priorities and institutional standards.
• Lead operational aspects of process documentation, workflow improvements, and implementation of delegated initiatives.
• Coordinate integration of new units or functions into existing HR workflows, ensuring consistency and sustainability across the portfolio.
  
  

4. Employee Relations Support

• Support employee relations efforts by conducting initial analysis, gathering documentation, and advising on routine and complex cases under the guidance of the Director.

• Collaborate with the Director and campus partners to address sensitive personnel matters and ensure appropriate resolution pathways.
• Provide consultative support to supervisors on policy interpretation, performance management, and workplace concerns, and escalating issues as needed.
  
  

5. Compliance, Records, and Professional Development

• Ensure operational HR practices adhere to university policies, applicable laws, and records retention requirements.
• Participate in HR trainings, meetings, and professional development opportunities to remain current and support consistent application of HR standards.
  
  

6. Analysis, Reporting, and Special Projects

• Assist the Director with Workforce and Workday reporting, including position management, classification review, compensation data, and ad-hoc analysis.
• Lead or support special projects as delegated, contributing operational expertise to portfolio and Academic Affairs initiatives.
• All other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in human resources, business administration, or a related field.
• At least five years of experience in human resources or a related field, including compliance and staff life-cycle management, with process review.
• At least five years of supervisory and training in management.
• Strong leadership abilities with the capability to inspire, motivate, and engage staff.
• Proven experience with conflict resolution and managing difficult conversations in a professional setting.
• Ability to apply critical thinking and intellectual curiosity by asking meaningful questions that uncover context, clarify objectives, and support informed decision-making.
• Exceptional attention to detail, including proven ability to create/assess written documentation, ensuring content is complete and clear.
• Proven communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to provide feedback constructively and foster open, two-way communication.
• Ability to adapt to varying unit-level processes and procedures to provide consistent guidance across different teams.
• Demonstrated ability to handle sensitive information and maintain confidentiality.
• Detail-oriented with excellent organizational and time management skills.
• Strong understanding of UT Austin's best HR practices, labor laws, and regulations.
• Ability to work independently and manage multiple processes and tasks simultaneously, managing competing priorities in a timely and efficient manner.

Relevant education and experience may be substituted as appropriate.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in an academic environment, including knowledge of the full HR lifecycle for faculty, staff, and student employees.
• Experience in a dean or vice president-level office.
• Extensive experience with Workday.
• SHRM-CP or SHRM-SCP certification.
  
  

Salary Range

$86,500 + depending on qualifications

Working Conditions

• May work around standard office conditions.
• Repetitive use of a keyboard at a workstation.
• Applicants must be legally authorized to work for any employer in the United States. This position is not eligible for sponsorship of work visas.
• This is an Austin, TX-based position.
• On-site work is the standard expectation for this position.
  
  

Required Materials

• Resume/CV
• 3 work references with their contact information; at least one reference should be from a supervisor
• Letter of interest

Important for applicants who are NOT current university employees or contingent workers: You will be prompted to submit your resume the first time you apply, then you will be provided an option to upload a new Resume for subsequent applications. Any additional Required Materials (letter of interest, references, etc.) will be uploaded in the Application Questions section; you will be able to multi-select additional files. Before submitting your online job application, ensure that ALL Required Materials have been uploaded. Once your job application has been submitted, you cannot make changes.

Important for Current university employees and contingent workers: As a current university employee or contingent worker, you MUST apply within Workday by searching for Find Jobs. Before you apply though, log-in to Workday, navigate to your Worker Profile, click the Career link in the left hand navigation menu and then update the sections in your Professional Profile. This information will be pulled in to your application. The application is one page and you will need to click the Upload button multiple times in order to attach your Resume, References and any additional Required Materials noted above.

Employment Eligibility:
Regular staff who have been employed in their current position for the last six continuous months are eligible for openings being recruited for through University-Wide or Open Recruiting, to include both promotional opportunities and lateral transfers. Staff who are promotion/transfer eligible may apply for positions without supervisor approval.

Retirement Plan Eligibility:
The retirement plan for this position is Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS), subject to the position being at least 20 hours per week and at least 135 days in length.

Background Checks:

A criminal history background check will be required for finalist(s) under consideration for this position.

Equal Opportunity Employer:

The University of Texas at Austin, as an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer, complies with all applicable federal and state laws regarding nondiscrimination and affirmative action. The University is committed to a policy of equal opportunity for all persons and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, disability, religion, or veteran status in employment, educational programs and activities, and admissions.

Pay Transparency:

The University of Texas at Austin will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor's legal duty to furnish information.

Employment Eligibility Verification:

If hired, you will be required to complete the federal Employment Eligibility Verification I-9 form. You will be required to present acceptable and original documents to prove your identity and authorization to work in the United States. Documents need to be presented no later than the third day of employment. Failure to do so will result in loss of employment at the university.

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E-Verify:

The University of Texas at Austin use E-Verify to check the work authorization of all new hires effective May 2015. The university's company ID number for purposes of E-Verify is 854197. For more information about E-Verify, please see the following:

• E-Verify Poster (English and Spanish) [PDF]
• Right to Work Poster (English) [PDF]
• Right to Work Poster (Spanish) [PDF]

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Compliance:

Employees may be required to report violations of law under Title IX and the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Crime Statistics Act (Clery Act). If this position is identified a Campus Security Authority (Clery Act), you will be notified and provided resources for reporting. Responsible employees under Title IX are defined and outlined in HOP-3031.

The Clery Act requires all prospective employees be notified of the availability of the Annual Security and Fire Safety report. You may access the most recent report here or obtain a copy at University Compliance Services, 1616 Guadalupe Street, UTA 2.206, Austin, Texas 78701.