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The University of Washington Tacoma is an anchor institution that is deeply invested in its local communities and in student success. UW Tacoma is dedicated to interdisciplinary and innovative teaching and scholarship and engaging our community in mutually beneficial partnerships. UW Tacoma’s commitment to access and diversity is central to an environment where students, staff, faculty and South Sound residents find abundant opportunities for intellectual, personal and professional growth. More information about UW Tacoma and its strategic plan can be found here..
The University of Washington Tacoma stands on the traditional homelands of the Puyallup Tribe. The Puyallup people have lived on and stewarded these lands since time immemorial and continue to do so today. Members of our communities live, work, and study on the lands of the Coast Salish people. We recognize that this land acknowledgement is one small step toward true allyship, and we commit to uplifting the voices, experiences, and histories of the Indigenous people of this land and beyond.
UW Tacoma is looking for a leader with a background in Faculty engagement and retention, academic focused DEI work and Human Resource management.
Are you interested in being a part of our mission to retain, source and promote diverse and inspirational faculty to give our students the best possible experience to continue shaping our future;
Are you passionate about Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion work on a large academic scale;
Do you have a people centered and humanistic approach to Human Resources? Then Join Us
The Director of Academic Human Resources provides professional expertise in the areas of academic human resources administration including academic personnel policies, processes, and personnel management and works closely with UW Tacoma leadership to advance strategic priorities.
This position reports directly to the Executive Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs and manages the strategic and daily operations of the Academic Human Resources unit including supervision of two full-time employees.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
Administration and Leadership
The Director of Academic Human Resources provides professional expertise in the areas of academic human resources administration including academic personnel policies, processes, and personnel management and works closely with UW Tacoma leadership to advance strategic priorities.
• Respond to mid-/high-level inquiries requiring analysis of the Faculty Code, administrative policy statements, executive orders, and other policy documents governing academic human resources.
• Represent Academic Human Resources on various committees, task forces, and working groups as appropriate, with specific representation on issues related to Workday and data; diversity, equity, and inclusion; faculty recruitment and retention; and shared governance.
• Manage the search and hiring request process, the hiring report process, and the hiring plan submission process to the Provost’s Office.
• Coordinate and manage campus level leadership searches, including working with search firms and directing processes.
• Collaborate with and advise the Executive Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs on strategic planning and creative problem solving for academic human resources.
Policy and Procedure Development
• Create guidelines and policy for academic HR processes for the UW Tacoma campus.
• Explore and disseminate information related to current issues and best practices as concerns the profession; attend relevant conferences and training as appropriate.
• Develop expertise in Faculty Code interpretation and guide Deans on implementation of Faculty Code requirements, in collaboration with the UW Office of Academic Human Resources and/or the UW Secretary of the Faculty.
• Oversee the tenure and promotion process, setting timelines and ensuring compliance with the UW Handbook, UW Tacoma Faculty Handbook, and other policies and procedures. Manage the file preparation process for transmittal to the Provost.
• Oversee and direct academic staff, faculty, and Deans in the recruitment and search process, faculty hiring, faculty reappointments, salary negotiations, leaves and other personnel processes.
• Work closely and collaboratively with Faculty Assembly Chair and Vice-Chair on shared governance policies and procedures.
• Advise and support the Appointment, Promotion and Tenure Committee of Faculty Assembly in their reviews of appointments, promotion, and tenure matters and related processes.
• Provide consultation to staff and administrators within Academic Affairs on academic HR issues to ensure compliance with federal and state law and UW policy including FMLA, ADA, etc.
Operations
• Organize working groups of Deans, faculty, staff, and campus leaders to address academic human resource needs.
• Support stakeholder data requests to accurately validate, analyze, report, and collaborate on academic personnel data.
• Serve as the contact for Public Records Requests for Academic Affairs and advise individuals on the process.
Employee Relations
• Advise and make recommendations on faculty personnel issues (including potential misconduct) to faculty, deans, and the Executive Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, based on research, knowledge, and experience with the UW Policy Directory including Executive Orders, the Faculty Code, Federal and State law, and University policies and procedures.
• Write communications regarding misconduct allegations for faculty and administration.
• Work closely with the UW Office of Academic Human Resources, the UW Attorney General’s Office, the UW Office of the Ombud, and the University Complaint Investigation and Resolution Office (UCIRO), as well as UWT Staff HR.
Faculty Development
• Design and lead New Faculty Orientation, trainings and other workshops for faculty professional development related to tenure and promotion, faculty searches, and other faculty-related topics.
• Collaborate with the UW Tacoma Office of Equity and Inclusion and the UW Office for Faculty Advancement to improve the capacity of UW Tacoma to recruit and retain diverse faculty.
• Coordinate with UW Academic Human Resources to support deans and faculty learning related to employee relations, HR policies, visas, and other HR matters.
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:
• Bachelor’s Degree in HR, Business Administration, Communication, Behavioral Sciences, Social Sciences or a related field.
• At least seven years of Higher Education leadership experience within Academic Affairs or an Academic Unit, to include supervisory experience.
Equivalent education/experience will substitute for all minimum qualifications except when there are legal requirements, such as a license/certification/registration.
ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:
• Solid understanding of both federal and Washington state law related to human resources.
• Thorough understanding of Academic HR operations, to include faculty hiring, promotion and tenure processes.
• Experience managing faculty and staff leave, accommodations, grievance, and other issues that may arise.
• Ability to work effectively with various levels of leaders, faculty and staff to provide executive and actionable advice.
• Experience working with highly confidential information, taking appropriate action to maintain confidentiality.
• Ability to work independently with exceptional organizational, planning, time management skills and initiative, with a successful history and ability to work on large, complex projects in a deadline driven environment; demonstrated ability to realize/achieve stated goals without instruction.
• Proven ability to work as a member of a team and to lead teams to successful outcomes.
DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS:
• Master’s Degree in HR, Business Administration, Communication, Behavioral Sciences, Social Sciences or a related field.
• Proven and demonstrated expertise at managing academic and staff human resources.
• Knowledge of and familiarity with UW HR systems and processes.
Application Process:
The application process for UW positions may include completion of a variety of online assessments to obtain additional information that will be used in the evaluation process. These assessments may include Work Authorization, Cover Letter and/or others. Any assessments that you need to complete will appear on your screen as soon as you select “Apply to this position”. Once you begin an assessment, it must be completed at that time; if you do not complete the assessment you will be prompted to do so the next time you access your “My Jobs” page. If you select to take it later, it will appear on your "My Jobs" page to take when you are ready. Please note that your application will not be reviewed, and you will not be considered for this position until all required assessments have been completed. | 
