Assistant Director People & Culture

About the role

The Assistant Director People & Culture role is responsible for providing organizational leadership and operational oversight for UWIT’s People & Culture function. This role supports a positive, inclusive, and effective workplace within UWIT, aligning with UW and UWIT values.

Responsibilities

• Leadership and Oversight of UWIT People & Culture Operations:

  • Provide consultation and guidance on human resources matters, including performance management, corrective action, and employee relations.
  • Oversee UWIT recruiting activities, advising on staffing needs, recruitment strategies, and salary placement within established compensation frameworks.
  • Provide oversight and quality assurance for compensation, leave, and timekeeping practices within UWIT, ensuring compliance with University policies and timely correction of issues.
  • Advise on employee relations concerns and partner with appropriate University offices for investigation and resolution of complex, sensitive, or high-risk cases involving senior leaders, significant employee impact, or organizational risk.
  • Interpret federal, state, and University requirements and translate them into UWIT operational practices and guidance, prioritizing issues based on organizational risk, impact, and leadership needs.
  • Support leave administration and accommodation processes, ensuring compliance with FMLA, ADA, and applicable state and University requirements.
  • Ensure continuity of People & Culture services through operational oversight, including direct execution of HR functions when required due to staffing capacity, urgency, or complexity.

• Workforce Planning, Organizational Support, and Strategic Contribution:

  • Contribute to and partner with UWIT workforce planning and organizational initiatives by providing analysis, recommendations, and making operational decisions aligned with UWIT priorities.
  • Partner with UWIT leadership and UWHR on team changes or reorganizations, including hands-on involvement in planning, communication, and execution for complex or high-impact organizational changes.
  • Collaborate with UWIT Finance and leadership to support workforce affordability, position planning, and compensation considerations, exercising delegated decision-making authority for UWIT People & Culture operational priorities within approved frameworks.
  • Provide budgetary oversight and stewardship for UWIT People & Culture, including monitoring expenditures, supporting workforce affordability analysis, and partnering with UWIT Finance to ensure alignment with approved budgets and funding sources.
  • Participate in selected University or UWIT committees and workgroups related to HR operations, workforce planning, or organizational effectiveness, as appropriate to the role’s scope (e.g., Professional Staff Salary Survey Committee).

• Staff Leadership and Development:

  • Provide day-to-day leadership, coaching, and performance management for People & Culture staff.
  • Set clear expectations, support professional development, and conduct performance evaluations.
  • Foster a collaborative, service-oriented team environment aligned with UWIT values.

• Other Duties as Assigned:

  • Perform additional duties as needed to support UWIT People & Culture operations and organizational needs.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Organizational Development, Communications, or related field, or equivalent experience.
• Seven (7) or more years of progressively responsible human resources or organizational leadership experience in a large, complex organization.
• Significant experience with complex employee relations issues, advising managers on employee relations, performance management, and recruiting.
• Exercising a high level of confidentiality and handling sensitive information.
• Strong written and oral communication skills.
• Experience with complex personnel systems and managing diverse workloads in a high-pressure environment.
• Strong leadership, interpersonal, and problem-solving skills, with demonstrated tact and discretion.
• Ability to learn and apply new technologies.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Organizational Development, Public Administration, Communications.
• SPHR, SHRM, or PHR certification.
• Experience in Labor Relations negotiations and union environments.
• Experience in a large university, medical center, or other highly regulated environment.
• Experience with UW Financial and HR/payroll systems.
• Experience with Microsoft suite.