Director of Human Resources

Director of Human Resources

Arkansas State University-Newport

The Director of Human Resources serves as the chief human resources officer for Arkansas State University-Newport (ASUN). Reporting directly to the Vice Chancellor for Finance and Administration, this position provides strategic leadership and administrative oversight for all comprehensive HR and payroll functions across the institution. Key responsibilities include payroll management, talent acquisition, onboarding, benefits and leave administration, federal/state compliance, and employee relations.

The Director operates with a high degree of autonomy and ensures all HR operations align with ASUN goals and Arkansas State University System standards, policies and procedures.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Leadership & Strategic Planning: Direct the day-to-day operations of the Human Resources and Payroll departments. Develop, implement, and maintain HR policies, procedures, and strategic initiatives in alignment with institutional goals and state regulations.
• Payroll Oversight: Supervise one Payroll Specialist. Ensure accurate, timely processing of payrolls, tax withholdings, direct deposits, voluntary deductions, and state retirement contributions (APERS, ATRS, TIAA, etc.).
• Talent Acquisition & Onboarding: Oversee full-cycle recruitment, background checks, and selection processes for faculty, staff, and student employees. Design and maintain effective onboarding and orientation programs to enhance retention and culture.
• Benefits & Leave Administration: Manage administration of state/system health plans, life insurance, retirement programs, and supplemental benefits. Direct leave administration programs, including FMLA, catastrophic leave, worker's compensation, ADA accommodations, and military leave.
• HR Compliance & Reporting: Ensure institutional compliance with federal and state employment laws (FLSA, Title IX, Title VII, EEO/AA, FMLA, ADA, Affordable Care Act). Prepare and submit required state and federal reports (IPEDS, EEO‑1, ADHE reports, internal audits).
• Employee Relations & Performance Management: Serve as a trusted advisor to campus leadership, supervisors, and employees regarding performance management, grievance procedures, discipline, and workplace dispute resolution.
• Systems & Data Management: Maintain the integrity of human resources information systems (HRIS) and payroll databases, driving process improvements and automation where applicable.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

Bachelor’s degree in human resource management, Business Administration, Public Administration, or a closely related field. Three to five years of hands‑on experience in human resources, payroll operations, or benefits administration or a combination of education and experience.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Comprehensive knowledge of federal and Arkansas state employment laws, higher education regulations, and public sector payroll processes.
• Demonstrated experience with higher education ERP systems (e.g., Banner, Workday) and payroll platforms.
• Strong leadership, supervisory, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Proven ability to handle confidential and sensitive information with discretion and high ethical standards.

TECHNOLOGY & SOFTWARE

• Enterprise resource planning ERP software – Banner or other ERP platforms.
• Human resources software – Human resource management software HRMS; Oracle Taleo.
• Presentation software – Microsoft PowerPoint.
• Time accounting software – Banner or other automated time accounting software.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES: This position supervises two full-time employees, a Payroll Specialist and a Human Resource Specialist.

COMMUNICATION SKILLS

Strong communication skills are required. Ability to write reports, correspondence, and policy/procedure manuals so others will understand; ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of students, faculty, administration or the general public.

CRITICAL THINKING SKILLS

Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of known variables in situations where only limited standardization exists. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, or diagram formats.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED

Under minimal direction, working from policies and general directives. Rarely refers specific cases to supervisor unless clarification or interpretation of the organization’s policy is required.

PLANNING

Considerable responsibility with regard to general assignments in planning time, method, manner, and/or sequence of performance of own work, in addition, the work operations of a group of students.

DECISION MAKING

Performs work operations which permit frequent opportunity for decision-making of minor importance and frequent opportunity for decision-making of major importance, either of which would affect the overall success of the college.

MENTAL DEMAND

Requires the ability to provide undivided, continuous attention for control of operations. Operations requiring intermittent direct thinking to determine or select the most applicable way of handling situations regarding the organization’s administration and operations; also, to determine or select material and equipment where highly variable sequences are involved.

ANALYTICAL ABILITY / PROBLEM SOLVING

Moderately structured. Fairly broad activities using moderately structured procedures with only generally guided supervision. Interpolation of learned things in somewhat varied situations.

USE OF MACHINES, EQUIPMENT AND/OR COMPUTERS

Regular use of office equipment (desktop/laptop computer and software).

ACCURACY

High level of accuracy is required in performance of essential duties.

PUBLIC CONTACT

Regular contacts with staff, faculty, management, and leadership team.

EMPLOYEE CONTACT

Regular contact with other college employees at all levels within the organization.

REQUIRED CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS

None

PREFERRED CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS

Professional HR Certification (SHRM‑CP/SHRM‑SCP or PHR/SPHR)

PHYSICAL ACTIVITIES

The following physical activities described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions and expectations.

While performing the functions of this job, the employee is continuously required to talk or hear; regularly required to stand; frequently required to walk, sit, use hands to finger, handle, or feel, reach with hands and arms; and occasionally required to climb or balance.

The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision.

ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS

There are no harmful environmental conditions that are present for this position. Some equipment may be hazardous.

NOTIFICATION

Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of employment visa at this time.