Human Resources Specialist, Graduate Academic Centers

Position Summary
The Human Resources Specialist for Graduate Academic Centers provides comprehensive HR and related support for faculty and staff working in graduate programs at remote and off-campus locations. The position serves as the primary HR liaison, leading and supporting employee recruitment, onboarding, employee relations, performance management, and other employment-related, not direct academics-related, needs and activities requiring University responses and support. The Specialist is a member of the FPU HR staff, with a direct reporting line to the Provost.

Key Responsibilities

• Recruitment & Staffing: Coordinate hiring processes for faculty and staff at graduate academic centers. Partner with hiring managers to develop job postings and manage applicant tracking.
• Onboarding & Orientation: Facilitate onboarding for new hires at the Graduate Academic Centers, ensuring smooth integration into university systems and culture. Provide guidance on benefits enrollment and HR policies.
• Employee Relations: Serve as the first point of contact for HR inquiries from graduate center employees. Address employee concerns and escalate complex issues to HR leadership as needed.
• Compliance & Policy Administration: Ensure adherence to federal, state (AZ, NH, TX), and university employment regulations. Maintain accurate personnel records and assist with audits.
• Performance & Development: Support performance review processes for graduate center staff. Coordinate professional development opportunities in collaboration with academic leadership.
• HR Operations: Manage HR transactions related to appointments, re-appointments, and contract renewals.
• Maintaining strong working relationships with Graduate Academic Centers and in-depth understanding of Graduate Program needs.

Qualifications

• A bachelor's degree is required.
• SHRM Certification not required but desirable
• Ideally, 3+ years of HR experience, preferable in higher education or multi-site environments.
• Strong knowledge of employment laws and HR best practices.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Excellent organizational and time-management skills
• Ability to work independently and within a group and manage priorities across multiple locations.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and appropriate exercise of need-to-know practices.

Preferred Skills

• Experience with HRIS systems. Experience with Paychex is preferred but not required.
• Experience with remote workforce management.
• Experience with Microsoft 365
• Familiarity with higher education and academic operations.

Work environment is hybrid with some physical presence at FPU's Graduate Academic Centers in West Lebanon, NH; Manchester, NH; and the main campus in Rindge, NH. Occasional travel to FPU's Graduate Academic Centers in Goodyear, AZ and Round Rock, TX will be required.

Working hours may vary to meet the needs of faculty and staff in the eastern, mountain, and central time zones. .