Director of Human Resources

About the Role

The Director of Human Resources provides strategic and operational leadership to Human Resources and Payroll personnel, supporting and meeting strategic HR and campus-wide goals in alignment with the SUNY Adirondack mission, goals, and strategic plan.

Responsibilities

• Manages human resources activities to support institutional objectives, including recruitment, staffing, talent acquisition, performance management, labor and employee relations, training, development, and employee recognition.
• Provides HR support and internal consulting to all employee groups, aligning HR processes and technology with business strategy.
• Serves as a key member of the President’s executive staff, contributing to strategic decision-making, policy formulation, and organizational planning.
• Advises senior leadership, faculty, and staff on HR matters, including interpretation of collective bargaining agreements, immigration, labor law, and labor relations.
• Makes recommendations on personnel matters based on industry standards, best practices, and compliance with federal/state laws.
• Manages the Human Resources team, evaluating progress toward institutional goals and objectives.
• Oversees annual benefit enrollments, retiree programs, retirement plans, and communications with insurance brokers.
• Establishes and maintains credibility with management, faculty, and staff through effective communication and guidance on personnel matters.
• Develops, administers, and communicates HR policies, procedures, and handbooks, staying current with HR trends and legal requirements.
• Supports professional development, employee engagement, and performance improvement initiatives, including counseling, PIPs, and separations.
• Develops and improves onboarding and new employee orientation strategies.
• Ensures timely processing of payrolls, tax reporting (941s), retirement contributions, and W-2 distribution; acts as backup for the Payroll Coordinator.
• Adheres to Civil Service Rules and Regulations for support staff recruitment and employment.
• Develops and updates job descriptions in collaboration with department managers and union representatives.
• Manages performance management systems, aligning training with evaluations and job competencies.
• Facilitates professional development at all organizational levels and implements HR initiatives (e.g., training programs, communication processes).
• Represents the College and HR on internal and external committees.
• Provides reports and metrics for HR function analysis and resource utilization.
• Participates in networking, benchmarking, and collaborative educational efforts.
• Conducts special projects as directed by the President.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s degree preferred.
• Minimum of 6–8 years of experience in human resource administration, preferably in a collective bargaining environment.

Skills

• Demonstrated success in consulting, communication, judgment, and influencing skills across all levels of management and employee classes.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office with excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Strong supervisory and management skills.
• Experience with Ellucian Banner Computing System preferred.

Direct Reports

• Human Resources Administrator
• Senior Human Resources Administrator (2)
• Payroll Coordinator

Pay

Salary range: $91,989 – $102,588. The selected candidate’s salary will be determined based on budget, internal equity, and qualifications.

Working Conditions

• Office worksite with travel between buildings and candidate tours.
• Occasional lifting of 5–10 lbs.