Human Resources Director

Human Resources Director for the Jeb E. Brooks School of Public Policy

Cornell University seeks an experienced, collaborative, and forward-thinking human resources leader to serve as the Human Resources Director for the Jeb E. Brooks School of Public Policy. This is an exciting opportunity to serve as the primary human resources consultant for one of Cornell's newest academic schools and provide leadership and operational excellence that enables faculty and staff success, strengthens organizational effectiveness, and advances the School's mission.

Established in fall 2021, the Brooks School of Public Policy is dedicated to advancing policy solutions that improve lives and strengthen communities through research, education, and public engagement. As the School continues to evolve, the Human Resources Director will have the unique opportunity to build strong partnerships, enhance HR practices, and contribute to the development of a collaborative, inclusive, and high-performing workplace culture.

The Human Resources Director will provide leadership and operational excellence across a broad range of human resource functions. Serving as a trusted advisor to the Dean, senior leadership team, faculty, managers, and staff, the Director will provide thoughtful guidance and solutions that align workforce practices with institutional priorities and support the School's mission.

The Director will oversee and provide leadership for day-to-day HR operations, including talent acquisition, employee relations, performance management, compensation, organizational development, and compliance. This role requires a strong foundation in human resources practices, the ability to interpret and apply university policies, and the judgment to navigate complex situations with professionalism, discretion, and care.

As a key HR partner, the Director will work collaboratively with leaders and employees to address workplace needs, resolve challenges, and foster an environment built on trust, respect, and inclusion. The successful candidate will bring an educational and consultative approach to HR, helping leaders understand and effectively navigate policies, processes, and best practices while balancing the needs of the School and its employees.

The Director will collaborate with shared HR operations and transaction teams, as well as central HR offices, to ensure consistent, equitable, and effective application of university policies and procedures. The role will also contribute to organizational effectiveness initiatives, identify opportunities for professional development and training, support employee engagement efforts, and help advance strategies that strengthen workforce effectiveness and operational excellence.

The ideal candidate will be a proactive and adaptable HR professional who thrives in an evolving environment and is energized by the opportunity to build and improve processes. They will bring strong operational acumen, exceptional relationship-building skills, and the ability to navigate ambiguity and complex situations with patience, curiosity, and sound judgment. The successful candidate will be comfortable serving as a hands-on consultant who is willing to roll up their sleeves and embrace the opportunities and challenges that come with supporting a growing academic school. In addition, the successful candidate will be passionate about delivering exceptional client-focused human resources support with a commitment to operational excellence, process integrity, and consistent service delivery.

This is a unique opportunity for a dynamic HR leader to make a meaningful impact at an emerging school within one of the world's leading research universities. Through partnership, innovation, and a commitment to excellence, the Human Resources Director will help shape the future of the Brooks School of Public Policy and contribute to Cornell's mission of advancing knowledge and improving lives.

About the Cornell Jeb E. Brooks School of Public Policy

The Cornell Jeb E. Brooks School of Public Policy harnesses the University's broad disciplinary excellence in public policy, along with its innovative teaching, research, and engagement programs, to solve pressing global challenges. The school's faculty applies an interdisciplinary and problem-oriented focus to wide-ranging public policy issues as they explore how government choices intersect with people's lives.

The Brooks School is home to approximately 50 staff members, more than 75 tenure stream and teaching faculty, and a distinguished group of parttime faculty who are leaders in public policy and healthcare, bringing real world expertise into the classroom. The school enrolls over 700 undergraduate, professional, and graduate students across its programs in Ithaca, at its Washington, DC facility, and online in partnership with eCornell.

An innovative and growing school, the Brooks School has recently launched new undergraduate experiences and professional degree programs. It is also making significant investments in expanded and enhanced facilities in both Ithaca and Washington, DC, to support robust enrollments, program growth, and new strategic initiatives.

What We Need

• A cover letter and resume are required for consideration for this position. Your cover letter should describe your interest in the position and explain how your experience and professional goals align with the role's objectives and opportunities for mutual success.
• A Bachelor's degree and 5 to 7 years relevant experience or equivalent combination.
• Proven success with human resources management skills, including experience in employee relations, compensation, recruitment, dispute resolution, organizational development, and operational management.
• Demonstrated ability to advance organizational change and development.
• Ability to provide timely responses to urgent issues.
• Proven clear and effective written and verbal communication skills.
• Demonstrated effective leadership skills and teamwork philosophy.

If you possess these experiences and skills this may be the role for you! There are a few other qualifications we would view as incredibly helpful in this role, to include:

• PHR or SPHR certification is required, or ability to obtain within two years of appointment.
• Experience in the field of higher education desirable.

Rewards and Benefits

• This position is eligible for a hybrid work arrangement. Employees typically perform this role remotely 1 day per week and on-campus 4 days per week. The university reserves the right to modify, suspend, revoke or terminate the hybrid work arrangement at any time.
• This position is based in Ithaca, New York.
• Cornell receives national recognition as an award-winning workplace for our health, wellbeing, sustainability, and diversity initiatives.
• Our benefits programs include comprehensive health care options, generous retirement contributions, access to wellness programs, and employee discounts with local and national retail brands. We invite you to follow this link to get more information about our benefits: Understand Your Benefits | Working at Cornell.
• Our leave provisions include health and personal leave, three weeks of vacation and 13 holidays: Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving and the day after, and an end of the year winter break from December 25-January 1. To offer greater flexibility for observing faiths and traditions we also offer two additional floating holidays. Learn more about our generous leave provisions: Holiday and Accrued Time Off | Working at Cornell
• Cornell's impressive educational benefits include tuition-free Extramural Study and Employee Degree Program, tuition aid for external education, and Cornell Children's Tuition Assistance Program. Learn more about our extensive educational benefits: Education Benefits | Working at Cornell
• Follow this link to learn more about the Total Rewards of Working at Cornell: Total Rewards | Working at Cornell.

Visa Sponsorship is not available for this position.

University Job Title: HR Generalist IV

Job Family: Human Resources

Level: G

Pay Rate Type: Salary

Pay Range: $100,285.00 - $122,571.00

Remote Option Availability: Hybrid

Company: Contract College

Contact Name: Jamie Doss

Contact Email: View email address on click.appcast.io