Director of Human Resources

The ADA Forsyth Institute was founded in 1910 as the Forsyth Dental Infirmary for Children to provide dental care to disadvantaged children in Boston. Today, it is the world’s leader in oral health research, dedicated to improving oral and overall health through cutting-edge research, translational science, clinical technologies, and global public health outreach. The Institute joined with the American Dental Association in 2023 to form the ADA Forsyth Institute, a 501(c)(3) entity. The ADA ForsythKids mobile dental program continues to serve children in need.

About the Role

The ADA Forsyth Institute (AFI) is seeking an experienced, collaborative, and hands-on Director of Human Resources to lead the Institute’s Human Resources function and support research, clinical, educational, and administrative operations. This role is ideal for an HR leader who enjoys being both strategic and hands-on, serving as a trusted advisor to senior leadership, faculty, managers, and employees while overseeing day-to-day HR programs and services. The successful candidate will balance advising on complex employee matters with managing operational details to ensure effective HR function.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the primary HR resource for AFI employees, faculty, and managers and provide leadership for the day-to-day HR function.
• Partner with executive leadership and department leaders on workforce needs, organizational priorities, and HR strategies.
• Advise and coach faculty and managers on employee relations, performance management, corrective action, organizational changes, staffing, compensation, and other employment matters.
• Manage sensitive employee relations matters and conduct or coordinate workplace investigations in partnership with leadership and Legal, as appropriate.
• Lead the annual performance management process and support managers in providing effective feedback, coaching, and employee development.
• Manage the full recruitment lifecycle for research, clinical, and administrative positions, including job development, compensation, recruitment strategy, candidate selection, and offers.
• Support workforce planning, organizational changes, promotions, transfers, succession planning, onboarding, and offboarding.
• Provide guidance on compensation decisions and coordinate annual merit and compensation processes in partnership with leadership and Finance.
• Support the administration of employee benefits and retirement programs in partnership with ADA and external vendors.
• Provide oversight and support for payroll-related HR processes and ensure employment changes are accurately and timely processed.
• Oversee HRIS administration and utilization, including employee records, onboarding, performance management, learning, and reporting.
• Develop, review, implement, and communicate HR policies, procedures, and practices.
• Ensure compliance with applicable federal and Massachusetts employment laws and regulations.
• Manage employee leaves and workplace accommodations, including FMLA, Massachusetts Paid Family and Medical Leave, and ADA accommodations.
• Coordinate employment-related immigration matters with employees, managers, and appropriate immigration resources.
• Develop and support employee engagement, recognition, communication, and organizational culture initiatives.
• Identify training and development needs and support leadership and manager development.
• Partner with Finance, Legal, IT, Research Administration, and other functions on cross-functional initiatives and employment matters.
• Use HR data and reporting to identify trends and support organizational decision-making.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Organizational Development, or a related field; an equivalent combination of education and relevant experience will be considered.
• Minimum of 7 years of progressively responsible Human Resources experience, including significant experience independently managing a broad range of HR functions.
• Demonstrated ability to operate effectively in a hands-on HR leadership role while balancing strategic priorities with day-to-day HR operations.
• Demonstrated experience advising managers and senior leaders on employee relations, performance management, organizational matters, and other employment-related issues.
• Strong working knowledge of federal and Massachusetts employment laws and HR compliance requirements.
• Broad HR experience encompassing talent acquisition, compensation, benefits, performance management, HR operations, and employee relations.
• Experience managing sensitive employee relations matters and workplace investigations.
• Strong interpersonal and relationship-building skills with the ability to work effectively with employees and leaders at all levels of an organization.
• Sound judgment and demonstrated ability to independently assess complex or sensitive situations and develop practical solutions.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong organizational and project management skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities in a hands-on, fast-paced environment.
• High degree of professionalism, discretion, integrity, and commitment to confidentiality.
• Proficiency with HR information systems and Microsoft Office applications.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Organizational Development, or a related field.
• SHRM-CP, SHRM-SCP, PHR, or SPHR certification.
• Experience in a nonprofit, healthcare, academic, scientific research, higher education, or similarly complex environment.
• Experience supporting scientific, clinical, faculty, or highly specialized professional populations.
• Experience with Paylocity or a comparable HRIS/payroll platform.
• Experience with immigration and employment authorization matters.
• Experience leading HR initiatives within a small HR team or serving as the senior HR leader or primary HR representative for an organization or business unit.

Pay

$110,000-$140,000