Director of Human Resources, Safety and Risk, Title IX Coordinator

Lake Superior State University invites applicants and nominations for the Director of Human Resources, Safety and Risk, Title IX Coordinator position.

Reporting directly to the President, the HR Director serves on the Senior Management Team, and will plan, develop, implement, direct, and administer all aspects of the University’s personnel, payroll functions, safety and risk management, and act as the University’s Affirmative Action/Equal Employment Opportunity Officer.

We seek an enthusiastic, entrepreneurial individual to embrace this tremendous opportunity to work within an innovative team to help lead the University as it carries out the institution’s strategic plan.  In particular, we seek someone professionally poised and accomplished in the following areas:

• Coordinate employment activities to include: posting job openings, preparing formal advertisements and announcements, disseminating recruiting material, processing applications, supervising orientation of new employees, and processing probationary reviews, employee evaluations, and terminations.
• Direct the administration of staff benefit programs to include: process monthly billings, serve as resource person on staff benefits, coordinate activities between the University and insurance carriers, and assist employees with claims problems.
• Direct claims administration and maintain records for unemployment and worker's compensation; assist in unemployment and worker's compensation appeals and hearings.
• Write, update, and issue procedures, and maintain the University's Procedures Manual; review and update personnel procedures in the manual and assist supervisors in maintaining consistent interpretation and administration of personnel policies; counsel employees on policies and rules relating to employment policies and programs, and on University rules and regulations.
• Advise on Education Support Professionals (ESP) union and Faculty Association union contracts administration issues.  Maintain records of union activities as required by contracts; assist supervisors in maintaining consistent interpretation and administration of the contract; provide reports required by the contracts and information required for negotiations.  Serve as liaison for ESP bargaining union, leading special conferences and grievance hearings as required.
• Supervise the development and maintenance of a system to: collect, classify, analyze, and disseminate employment information as needed by the University, or for external reporting needs; prepare and process employment and personnel reports and surveys; audit and maintain personnel files on all staff and faculty.
• Supervise the operation of the Safety and Risk Office, including Public Safety, to assure compliance with state and federal standards and regulations, to reduce risk to the University, and to assure overall campus safety.
• Act as the University’s Title IX Coordinator; ensure compliance with all federal and state regulations; manage and administer Title IX policies and procedures; determine and administer educational events and programming related to Title IX.
• Manage and administer policies and programs to promote employee physical, mental, and/or financial health. 

Lake Superior State University is located in Sault Sainte Marie, Michigan, bordering Canada and surrounded by three Great Lakes.  With four seasons, it’s a prime location for any outdoor enthusiast.  The HR Director will join an innovative and dynamic senior management team headed by President Rodney Hanley, who is leading the University through a strategy that builds on strong enrollments across colleges and programs, a regional and global footprint, and a solid financial position.  The HR Director will be joining the university at a time of solid financial position and exciting programmatic growth, in line with our strategic plan.

The HR Director oversees a dedicated staff for five distinct units.  The HR Director provides leadership in a wide variety of University activities.  The best candidates for this position will bring strategic, critical, and creative thinking to the University.  They will be skilled at diplomacy, collaboration, and consultation, bringing a proven background in leadership and managements skills.  The best candidates will be motivated by the opportunity to have a meaningful impact on the lives of students and the entire University community.

Minimum qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree and three to five years of experience in personnel, safety compliance, and risk management or related work.
• Knowledge of management principles, practices, methods, and techniques.
• Knowledge of civil rights and employment laws; skill in dealing with others in person-to-person relationships.
• Demonstrated ability to maintain confidentiality and make decisions.
• Demonstrated proven growth with increasing experience in higher education leadership.
• Demonstrated ability to interact and communicate effectively and appropriately with diverse populations, the University community, and the public.
• Demonstrated ability to develop both short-term and long-term plans for the areas under direct supervision to successfully complete University goals and objectives, in alignment with the strategic plan.
• Demonstrated excellence in problem-solving, management skills, and leadership. This includes coordinating technical activities, establishing priorities, meeting deadlines on a regular basis, and delegating to subordinates.
• Demonstrated ability to develop and interpret policies.
• Demonstrated ability to write and to orally communicate with clarity and effectiveness.
• Demonstrated ability to organize and direct a staff of professional and administrative personnel.
• Demonstrated success of working on teams.
• Demonstrated commitment to diversity and inclusiveness.

Desired qualifications:

• Master’s Degree in Human Resources, Safety and Risk, Public Safety, or related field.
• Knowledge and experience with faculty and staff unions.
• Ten or more years of leadership experience in public higher education.
• Experience and understanding of the academic operations and culture of public higher education.