New

Human Resources Business Partner - Academic Affairs

Trinity University
United States, Texas, San Antonio
1 Trinity Place (Show on map)
May 09, 2025
Job Family Group: Staff Department/Office: Human Resources (Denise Covert) Time Type: Full time Compensation: Please note, starting salaries are based on factors including internal equity, relevant experience, and education. Exemption Status: United States of America (Exempt) Job Description: Provides value-added, professional and proactive human resources (HR) support to University leadership and stakeholders in assigned units. Leads and drives HR initiatives including: change management, workforce strategy, strategic staffing, organizational design, training and development, employee engagement and employee relations. Serves as a resource on University HR policies, procedures and practices. Identifies unit-specific HR implications of both strategic and operational plans being proposed by the University. Partners with specialized HR experts (benefits, compensation, recruiting, etc.) to deliver HR services that reflect the values, strategies and objectives of the University. Routinely consults and partners with leaders in Academic Affairs to understand and develop critical business strategies and drivers and identifies corresponding HR capabilities required to achieve operational and strategic priorities. Works closely with management and employees to improve working relationships, build morale and increase productivity and retention. Ensures that human resources issues are a key part of department plans, to include providing guidance and input on restructures, emerging employee skills requirements, workforce and succession planning. Assists Academic Affairs in the accurate and timely processing of faculty and staff personnel actions to include Period Activity Pay, One-Time Payments and faculty Letter of Appointments. Assist with providing requested reports and guidance on reporting to Academic Affairs. Builds and leverages relationships to drive change and support leaders in achieving their goals. Coaches and advises supervisors on employee and organizational issues and provides guidance and policy interpretation when appropriate. Manages and resolves complex employee relations issues. Conducts effective, thorough and objective investigations. Interprets and coaches on effective problem resolution using constructive strategies such as coaching, mediation, progressive discipline or complaint processes that support positive work relationships. Supports supervisors and staff on the performance management process including goal setting and expectations, managing staff, delivering performance feedback and identifying behavioral indicators. Assists supervisors with creating staff development plans or opportunities. Participates in strategic planning with respective departments working with central HR units to help the business meet present and future goals. Analyzes trends and metrics in partnership with HR to develop solutions, programs and policies. Plays a key role in the management and implementation of HR related projects and initiatives. Ensures ongoing departmental initiatives are within existing University policy and coordinated with other key stakeholders internal and external to HR. Analyzes trends and metrics in partnership with HR to develop solutions, programs and policies. Plays a key role in the management and implementation of HR related projects and initiatives. Ensures ongoing departmental initiatives are within existing University policy and coordinated with other key stakeholders internal and external to HR. ADDITIONAL DUTIES Cooperates and collaborates with other employees in the spirit of teamwork and collegiality and interacts with confidence, patience and integrity to provide professional leadership during emergencies. Complies with all Trinity University policies and guidelines. Performs other duties as required. EDUCATION Required: Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution. Preferred: Master's degree from an accredited institution. EXPERIENCE Required: 4 years of professional (exempt level) HR experience in at least two of the following HR disciplines: Employee Relations, Talent Acquisition, Employment, Compensation, Organizational Development and/or Workforce Analytics. Experience in resolving workplace issues and supporting performance management, conducting effective, thorough and objective investigations and assessments. Experience developing and maintaining professional relationships to drive change at all levels of leadership from employees to supervisors to executives. Experience in Higher Education supporting faculty. Preferred: Experience in Higher Education supporting Academic Affairs providing strategic HR support to senior leaders at a private, liberal arts University or College. KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES Required: Proficiency with Digital Tools and Data Analytics Ability to understand and use technology and applications to help develop and communicate HR strategy, manage individuals and teams, and track spending. Ability to Leverage Data for Decision Support Use data analysis to help evaluate job candidates, assess staffing needs, monitor productivity and other job performance metrics. Inclusive Excellence/Cross-Cultural Competence A keen sense of cultural awareness, empathy and a passion for creating a sense of belonging for a diverse campus community. Project and People Management Skills Comfort with taking on projects such as developing a project scope statement, managing resources and stakeholders, and communicating in large and small groups. Effective in Addressing Change and Transformation An advocate for the change required to help the organization achieve its desired strategy. Able to identify these large-scale changes well in advance and develop strategic plans for managing changes with the least disruptive impact. Ability to Identify and Develop Leaders Develop leaders within an organization and, when necessary, identify external candidates for leadership roles. Evaluate leaders based on how their expertise and performance align with overall business objectives. Exceptional Networking and Relationship-Building Acumen Comfortable speaking with senior leaders and key decision-makers, to understand the needs of their business units and to build rapport with key decision-makers over time. Maintain Confidentiality Maintain confidentiality of sensitive or "insider" information about operations or financial performance. Build confidence in business leaders who are sharing sensitive information for strategic planning purposes and employees who may share personal and protected information. Effective Communication Skills among Diverse Audiences Adept at communicating in many situations to diverse and inter-cultural audiences, ranging from executive presentations to negotiations to the occasional conflict or crisis scenario. Willing and able to say "No" to executives when necessary, and to present well-thought alternative proposals when advocating for change. Preferred: Proficiency navigating and using: Workday, Monday.com, Microsoft Office Applications, Google Suite, Tableau and applications for business intelligence, decision support, data visualization and online communities that facilitate information sharing. Knowledge of Higher Education A background in the principles of HR management in a campus setting. Understanding the unique needs of the academy, successfully navigating shared governance and earning the respect and confidence of academic and operational leaders.