Director, Client Services

Job Responsibilities

• Understand and apply human resources leading practices and key data to contribute to the client unit’s near and long-term strategies and goals.
• Possess an understanding of the strategic role of HR Partners in enabling a unit’s strategy and goals.
• Apply a deep knowledge of HR client services, employee relations, talent management, compensation, learning and development, organizational development and design, change management, and promoting community belonging to guide the HR client services team in providing strategic direction to units.
• Demonstrate credibility and workforce strategy and analytics expertise in all interactions with client unit leadership.
• Deliver forward-thinking, world-class HR support of units' business needs and drive the use of people analytics for data-driven decision making.
• Define the HR and people strategy for the client unit they oversee based on leading industry practices and talent/organizational data.
• Equip HR team with tools necessary to act as an outstanding strategic advisor.
• Work with HR centers of expertise to establish a plan to transform the in-unit HR role from a tactical to strategic HR service provider, including the design/implementation of assessments, gap analysis, up-skilling/learning initiatives, and communications plans for units.
• Emphasize the importance of service excellence by integrating it into project details, measurements, and development and training of the team.
• Interact regularly with stakeholders to collect feedback and identify ways to continuously improve client services delivered.
• Create HR systems and business processes with stakeholders and customers in mind.
• Meet deliverables according to planned deadlines.
• Work closely with HR Partners to ensure stakeholder buy-in for processes and strategies.
• Effectively communicate and present to stakeholders of various levels in the organization.
• Engage with HR leaders to stay updated on areas of expertise, changes in policy, etc.
• Consistently communicate with direct reports as well as HR customers to understand existing challenges and areas of opportunity.
• Gather structured feedback from HR customers to enhance programs and ensure consistency in approach.
• Provide feedback to the HR Solution Center regarding transactional services and knowledge content provided for continuous improvement.
• Maintain regular touchpoints with centers of expertise to ensure HR Partners are equipped with relevant and current data, analytics, policy, and industry knowledge to effectively serve their clients.
• Provide innovative guidance and recommendations to unit leaders based on HR leading practices and data.
• Continuously upgrade knowledge, skills, and abilities needed to keep abreast of regulation/policy changes.
• Oversee a team of designated HR Partners and provide strategic direction and leadership.
• Partner with HR customers, unit leaders, and HR Partners to define learning, career mobility opportunities, and develop succession plans.
• Employ high ethical and equitable management standards, create a high-performing and engaged team, and continue to develop objectivity and critical-thinking skills to make sound judgments.
• Integrate USC’s unifying values including integrity and accountability throughout all organizational and HR practices.
• Develop credible relationships from demonstrated ethical judgment, behavior, and practiced confidentiality.
• Promote an environment that fosters community and opportunities for contributions through ideas, words, and actions that uphold principles of the USC culture and values including Code of Ethics.
• Disseminate unit, university, and HR strategies to the unit HR team and discuss key elements and individual responsibilities to deliver on the strategies.
• Establish near and long-term HR strategies and goals within the HR community and related units to achieve desired outcomes.
• Analyze current and anticipated conditions and limitations that may affect ability to achieve strategic outcomes.
• Work with colleagues within Client Services to define standards and operating procedures that improve organizational efficiencies and partnerships.
• Rassigne staff responsibility as needed to avoid challenges or roadblocks to success.
• Enable the university to fulfill its academic and people missions through enhanced HR service.
• Perform other related responsibilities as requested and when necessary.

  Minimum Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in business administration, organizational design and development, psychology, human resources, industrial relations, or another related field.
  • Ten or more years of experience in one or more of the following fields: human resources, human capital management, HR employee and labor relations or talent management.
  • Four or more years of experience leading teams in a management or leadership role.
  • Strong knowledge of a broad range of HR functions including total rewards (including compensation, recruitment, employee and labor relations), talent management (including performance management, learning and development), continuous process improvement, change management, training, community and belonging strategies, workforce planning, and organizational development.
  • Ability to consult with business/organizational units about strategically managing talent including workforce planning, talent assessments, and performance management.
  • Experience guiding a team with demonstrated values and leadership skills.
  • Demonstrated relationship building skills to work effectively with individuals at all levels of an organization.
  • Strong presentation, communication, teaming capabilities and demonstrated high level writing ability.
  • Demonstrated planning and organizational skills, effective time management abilities and a growth mindset.
  • Demonstrated knowledge of labor and employment laws and compliance.
  • Knowledge of current federal and state labor and benefits laws and regulations including ADA, ADEA, COBRA, EEOC, ERISA, FLSA, FMLA, Health Care Reform Act, HIPPA, OSHA, Pension Protection Act, Title 7, USERRA.
  • Ability to exercise discretion with confidential information.
  • Strong oral and written communication skills with the ability to tailor delivery to various audiences.
  • Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint).

  Preferred Qualifications

  • Advanced degree in business administration, organizational design and development, psychology, human resources, industrial relations or related field.
  • Twelve or more years of experience in one or more of the following fields: human resources, human capital management, HR employee and labor relations or talent management.
  • Experience in higher education and/or serving in a consultative role directly advising business leaders.
  • Six or more years of experience leading teams in a management or leadership role.
  • Knowledge of industry trends and leading practices in HR client service methodologies including serving as a data-driven problem solver, influencing at all levels, and serving as a trusted coach and independent voice.
  • Proven experience creating business and action plans transforming the HR Partner role from a tactical to strategic HR service provider.
  • Ability to interface with all levels of the organization, influence decision makers and set and manage expectations.
  • Developed client-relationship management skills, along with demonstrated experience in developing consultative relationships with leaders.
  • Ability to successfully work in a consensus decision-making environment.
  • Developed team-based management style with the ability to drive change while maintaining an ethical, equitable, consistent and team-focused work environment.
  • Ability to mentor and develop staff by outlining goals, objectives, implementing support (e.g., teaching) and performance measures and encouraging continuous learning, realignment and training.
  • Ability to enhance and apply strategic initiatives in daily operations, providing guidance and support as necessary.
  • Experience in a unionized environment.
  • Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD), Certified Professional in Learning and Performance (CPLP), Organization Development Certified Professional Program (ODCP), Society for Human Resource Management Certified Professional/Senior Certified Professional (SHRM-CP/SHRM-SCP), Professional in Human Resources/Senior Professional in Human Resources (PHR/SPHR) or other similar certifications.