The University of Pennsylvania, the largest private employer in Philadelphia, is a world-renowned leader in education, research, and innovation. This historic, Ivy League school consistently ranks among the top 10 universities in the annual U.S. News & World Report survey. Penn has 12 highly-regarded schools that provide opportunities for undergraduate, graduate and continuing education, all influenced by Penn's distinctive interdisciplinary approach to scholarship and learning. As an employer Penn has been ranked nationally on many occasions with the most recent award from Forbes who named Penn one of America's Best Large Employers in 2023.
Penn offers a unique working environment within the city of Philadelphia. The University is situated on a beautiful urban campus, with easy access to a range of educational, cultural, and recreational activities. With its historical significance and landmarks, lively cultural offerings, and wide variety of atmospheres, Philadelphia is the perfect place to call home for work and play.
The University offers a competitive benefits package that includes excellent healthcare and tuition benefits for employees and their families, generous retirement benefits, a wide variety of professional development opportunities, supportive work and family benefits, a wealth of health and wellness programs and resources, and much more.
Posted Job Title
Associate Director, BSD Human Resources
Job Profile Title
Associate Director C, Human Resources, School/ Center
Job Description Summary
The Division of Business Services (BSD) is looking for an Associate Director of Human Resources with deep experience influencing and impacting diverse and dynamic portfolios through effective management (both proactive and reactive) of a wide range of labor and employee relations issues. This person will be accountable for working with employees across multiple departments, building trusted relationships quickly, and leading with empathy, compassion, and creativity as a business partner to the service lines while ensuring a fair and just workplace culture is maintained within the division.
The Associate Director of Human Resources is a well-rounded professional who oversees and supports the division's human resources responsibilities and activities in close collaboration with the Executive Director of Business Services. This role serves as the Senior Human Resources Business Partner for the division and is required to understand the nuances of the division such that the Business Partner can effectively demonstrate and articulate the linkage of all HR initiatives and interventions with the achievement of desired organizational outcomes (both strategically and operationally). The Associate Director serves as a key strategic partner in coaching & counseling organizational leaders on complex employee & labor relations issues while ensuring compliance with University policy & labor and employment laws/regulations. The Associate Director will provide coordination of the talent acquisition life-cycle process for assigned client areas, as necessary. This position actively promotes initiatives and programs that increase employee visibility, connectedness, recognition, and active participation with a focus on fostering positive relationships and open communication with all members of the BSD community. The Associate Director of Human Resources is never compromising on service delivery standards and constantly serves as a steward for the function through every interaction, every day.
In their absence, this role serves as the backup for the Executive Director at a Divisional level and may be delegated as a functional representative to attend meetings and as a representative in larger-scale university initiatives.
Job Description
What You'll Do:
Serve as the primary contact for HR inquiries, offering expert guidance and escalation support.
Lead employee and labor relations efforts, providing advanced policy interpretation and problem-solving for management and staff.
Play a key role in labor relations strategy, maintaining strong relationships with three labor unions, and managing quarterly Labor Management forums.
Provide coaching to managers on performance management, evaluations, goal setting, employee engagement, reorganizations, corrective actions, and terminations.
Stay current with Penn and BSD HR policies, applying them proactively to offer insightful advice and creative solutions.
Ensure the completion of all staff's annual BSD compliance training.
Mediate first-step grievances, ensuring compliance with collective bargaining agreements (CBA) and Penn policies while facilitating fair and productive outcomes.
Offer coaching to operational leaders on labor matters, restructures, and terminations.
Conduct thorough investigations and manage complex employee relations cases, ensuring appropriate follow-up and resolution.
Collaborate with managers on talent acquisition strategies that align with Penn's values, ensuring compliance with employment law and partnering with Central Talent Acquisition. Participate in local career fairs and hiring events to expand the talent pipeline.
Champion a seamless and engaging onboarding process, guiding new employees through their introductory periods.
Oversee Penn Dining's HR vendor team, ensuring their processes align with Penn policies and labor strategies.
Assist with compensation processes, including salary adjustments, reclassifications, and the merit planning process.
Ensure accuracy in compliance reporting and lead efforts to meet legal and regulatory standards.
Serve as BSD's Compliance Officer representative, collaborating with the Office of Affirmative Action as necessary.
Partner with leadership to redesign and deliver innovative employee programs focused on engagement, development, and retention.
Assist with BSD HR-led workshops and special projects as needed.
Who You Are:
A labor relations expert with deep experience managing union partnerships and interpreting and enforcing collective bargaining agreements.
A skilled HR Business Partner who understands how HR policies drive organizational success.
A strategic and forward-thinking HR professional who excels at addressing complex challenges while fostering a positive and inclusive workplace.
A proficient mediator capable of navigating labor disputes impartially, adhering to policies while maintaining strong relationships with union representatives.
An innovative collaborator who partners with leaders, employees, and community organizations to develop a strong talent pipeline and workforce.
Detail-oriented with a deep understanding of employment law, compliance, and best practices in talent acquisition.
Thrives in a fast-paced environment, managing competing priorities with ease.
Empathetic and emotionally intelligent, with a genuine passion for supporting people's growth and success.
A collaborative team player, able to build trust and maintain strong relationships.
Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion:
Diversity, inclusion, and respect are at the core of everything we do in Business Services. We believe that fostering an inclusive culture strengthens our team, enriches the employee experience, and drives innovation by ensuring all voices are heard.
Requirements:
Education & Experience: A Bachelor's Degree and 3 to 5 years of related human resources experience as a Business Partner or an equivalent combination of education and experience. A minimum of 3 years of hands-on experience in Labor Relations within a bargaining unit setting, including direct experience interpreting Collective Bargaining Agreements. Experience in collective bargaining negotiations is preferred.
Skills & Expertise:
Strong initiative, sound judgment, and organizational savvy, with the ability to handle highly confidential matters with discretion.
Ability to interpret and analyze data effectively, with experience leading projects.
Proven interpersonal, conflict resolution, and coaching skills, with excellent verbal and written communication abilities. Tact and diplomacy are essential.
Demonstrated ability to collaborate with executive staff, line managers, and external providers/contractors.
Excellent facilitation/presentation skills.
Experience in developing and implementing HR programs and policies independently and with others.
Core HR Competencies:
Extensive experience in HR functions, including labor and employee relations, classification and compensation, job analysis, recruitment and retention, affirmative action, organizational/talent development, employee engagement, communications, and investigations.
Proficiency with HR systems is required, with a strong preference for those with deep Workday experience.
Preferred Qualifications:
Applicable HR certification(s), experience in an academic setting, and prior managerial experience are a plus.
Team Environment:
Only team players committed to fostering a positive and inclusive work environment will be considered.
About the Division of Business Services
The Business Service Division (BSD) supports the individual and collective needs of the Penn community by promoting a hospitable, customer-friendly campus environment and providing mission-critical services and essential operations. BSD's mission is to provide high-quality service in a fiscally responsible manner. Currently, the Division is focused on three major initiatives:
Revenue growth/retention through improved marketing efforts, extended services, and the development of new distribution channels.
Driving productivity for the Division and its customers through the better use of technology.
Enhancing service offerings through upgrades and expansions of facilities.
$51,824.00 - $100,000.00 Annual Rate Salary offers are made based on the candidate's qualifications, experience, skills, and education as they directly relate to the requirements of the position, as well as internal and market factors and grade profile.
Affirmative Action Statement
Penn adheres to a policy that prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, creed, national or ethnic origin, citizenship status, age, disability, veteran status, or any other legally protected class.
Special Requirements
Background check required after a conditional job offer is made. Consideration of the background check will be tailored to the requirements of the job.
University Benefits
Health, Life, and Flexible Spending Accounts: Penn offers comprehensive medical, prescription, behavioral health, dental, vision, and life insurance benefits to protect you and your family's health and welfare. You can also use flexible spending accounts to pay for eligible health care and dependent care expenses with pre-tax dollars.
Tuition: Take advantage of Penn's exceptional tuition benefits. You, your spouse, and your dependent children can get tuition assistance here at Penn. Your dependent children are also eligible for tuition assistance at other institutions.
Retirement: Penn offers generous retirement plans to help you save for your future. Penn's Basic, Matching, and Supplemental retirement plans allow you to save for retirement on a pre-tax or Roth basis. Choose from a wide variety of investment options through TIAA and Vanguard.
Time Away from Work: Penn provides you with a substantial amount of time away from work during the course of the year. This allows you to relax, take vacations, attend to personal affairs, recover from illness or injury, spend time with family—whatever your personal needs may be.
Long-Term Care Insurance: In partnership with Genworth Financial, Penn offers faculty and staff (and your eligible family members) long-term care insurance to help you cover some of the costs of long-term care services received at home, in the community or in a nursing facility. If you apply when you're newly hired, you won't have to provide proof of good health or be subject to underwriting requirements. Eligible family members must always provide proof of good health and are subject to underwriting.
Wellness and Work-life Resources: Penn is committed to supporting our faculty and staff as they balance the competing demands of work and personal life. That's why we offer a wide variety of programs and resources to help you care for your health, your family, and your work-life balance.
Professional and Personal Development: Penn provides an array of resources to help you advance yourself personally and professionally.
University Resources: As a member of the Penn community, you have access to a wide range of University resources as well as cultural and recreational activities. Take advantage of the University's libraries and athletic facilities, or visit our arboretum and art galleries. There's always something going on at Penn, whether it's a new exhibit at the Penn Museum, the latest music or theater presentation at the Annenberg Center, or the Penn Relays at Franklin Field to name just a few examples. As a member of the Penn community, you're right in the middle of the excitement—and you and your family can enjoy many of these activities for free.
Discounts and Special Services: From arts and entertainment to transportation and mortgages, you'll find great deals for University faculty and staff. Not only do Penn arts and cultural centers and museums offer free and discounted admission and memberships to faculty and staff. You can also enjoy substantial savings on other goods and services such as new cars from Ford and General Motors, cellular phone service plans, movie tickets, and admission to theme parks.
Flexible Work Hours: Flexible work options offer creative approaches for completing work while promoting balance between work and personal commitments. These approaches involve use of non-traditional work hours, locations, and/or job structures.
Penn Home Ownership Services: Penn offers a forgivable loan for eligible employees interested in buying a home or currently residing in West Philadelphia, which can be used for closing costs or home improvements.
Adoption Assistance: Penn will reimburse eligible employees on qualified expenses in connection with the legal adoption of an eligible child, such as travel or court fees, for up to two adoptions in your household.
