HR Generalist Senior

How to Apply

A cover letter is required for consideration for this position and should be attached as the first page of your resume. The cover letter should address your specific interest in the position and outline skills and experience that directly relate to this position.

Job Summary

Facilities & Operations is seeking an experienced Human Resource Generalist Senior to provide HR generalist support in the areas of employee relations, performance management, compliance, HR analysis, succession planning, organizational development, and collective bargaining agreement administration within assigned units.  The successful candidate will also assist in executing overall HR strategy and goals throughout F&O. This position collaborates with the F&O HR team and various management teams to support and improve organizational effectiveness, drive business results and ensure processes are consistently communicated and implemented.

Who We Are

Facilities & Operations has primary responsibility for the stewardship of the university's physical properties, including 37 million square feet of building space. We are responsible for sophisticated and complex academic, research and clinical facilities, as well as associated environmental stewardship and regulatory compliance.

F&O Human Resources supports F&O departments in the areas of HR policy and strategy, employment services, performance management, contract administration, and compensation planning.  We provide HR support for approximately 1,100 bargained for employees in three unions, and approximately 600 non-bargained for staff members.  
 

Why Work at Michigan?

In addition to a career filled with purpose and opportunity, the University of Michigan offers a comprehensive benefits package to help you stay well, protect yourself and your family and plan for a secure future.  

Benefits include:

• Generous time off, including vacation time, sick time, holiday and season days
• A retirement plan that provides immediate vesting and two-for-one matching contributions after 12 months
• Many choices for comprehensive health insurance
• Life insurance
• Long-term disability coverage
• Flexible spending accounts for healthcare and dependent care expenses
• Strong commitment to work/life balance
• Hybrid work model - minimum 2 days onsite per week with a possibility for up to 3 days remote.  All flexible work arrangements are based upon campus partner and operational support  needs and may vary from week to week. All work schedules must be approved by direct supervision.  
   

Responsibilities*

As a member of the F&O HR team:

• Provide support to the unit in the areas of employee relations, performance management, retention, and staffing to achieve organizational effectiveness.
• Ensure open and frequent communication on HR matters within the organization.
• Proactively act as subject matter expert for F&O HR group in recruitment and selection, employment law, organizational development, employee or labor relations.
• Participate in the development of HR programs to support the growth and capability within the units.
• Stay abreast of current trends and issues within HR.
• Investigate and resolve complex employee issues and concerns such as discrimination or harassment complaints, and any violation of University Policy.
• Identify compensation issues and recommend appropriate action.
• Administer appropriate collective bargaining agreements and support unit management with the agreements relevant in their unit. 
• Collaborate with F&O HR colleagues and assist with unit coverage as needed
• Participate as a project member on university-wide HR initiatives as needed.

As an HR Generalist to F&O Operations:

• Provide strategic and tactical management and HR consulting to F&O groups during a period of constant change and growth. Proactively update groups within F&O on HR related activities and initiatives.
• Partner with functional managers and HR Director to assess client business needs. Use data points to identify the health of the client group. Define the key problem areas and associated strategies and action plans to solve problems / leverage opportunities.
• Facilitate collaborative problem solving strategies to resolve employee relations issues through effective communication with all levels of employees.
• Recommend and implement recruiting and on-boarding, selection, and retention processes.
• Perform management and employee training for HR policies and processes.
• Work closely with multiple union officials and bargained for employees, develop creative ideas for improvement, and assist employees with University services.
   

Required Qualifications*

• 4-year Bachelor's degree in HR, business or related area; Master's degree preferred.
• 4 plus years of progressive HR generalist experience.
• 4 plus years of progressive Labor Relations experience
• Must have a proven track record of relationship building with both internal and external customers.
• Ability to work independently and with a team.
• Ability to quickly handle employee conflicts and differences by interpreting verbal/ non-verbal behavior, detecting perceptions and needs of employees, understanding and valuing employee differences.
• Demonstrated business acumen and the ability to understand business strategy and goals.
• Demonstrated HR knowledge and experience in a manufacturing, operations, or engineering environment strongly preferred.
• Ability to move about campus and FO buildings including local travel.
• Experience with Union environment is strongly preferred.
• Must be flexible to support a 24/7 operation as needed.

Skills/Abilities:

• Ability to thrive in a fast paced, demanding environment.
• Proficiency with Excel Data organization and reporting, as well as other MS Office products and HRIS.  Peoplesoft experience preferred.
• Strong interpersonal skills and communication skills to interact with all levels of a diverse organization.
• Ability to analyze and resolve a wide variety of complex issues or problems.
• Demonstrate good judgment in selecting methods and techniques for obtaining solutions.
• Ability to handle confidential information.
• Strong organizational and multitasking capabilities.
• Strong analytical skills when working with HR data to recognize trends, issues, and opportunities.
• Successful candidates will be expected to demonstrate in this role the following organizational competencies, but not limited to:
• Creative Problem Solving:  The ability to define problems, analyze causes, identify and select solutions, and develop and facilitate action plans.  Generate new ideas and go beyond the status quo.  
• Flexibility/Adaptability to Change:  The ability to understand and accept the need for change, cooperating in implementation, and constructively voicing concerns and proposing alternatives.  The ability to plan, implement, and communicate effective change approaches within established and changing deadlines.
• Building Relationships/ Interpersonal Skills:  The ability to value organizational diversity; treat others with respect; promote cooperation; and effectively manage relationships
• Leadership/Achievement Orientation: The ability to influence others to accomplish the mission in ways consistent with the values of the organization; the ability to hold self (and others) accountable to meet goals and objectives; accomplish desired outcomes; and set an example of integrity and ethics through demonstrated performance
• Communication:  The ability to communicate clearly, correctly, knowledgeably, and effectively both verbally and in writing to individuals and groups, varying style to fit the audience, actively communicating with those with differing opinions and differing levels of understanding.
   

Desired Qualifications*

• Master's degree preferred.
• At least 5 years of Union experience strongly preferred
• PHR, SPHR, SHRM-CP, and/or SHRM-SCP certification preferred.
• PeopleSoft or other HRIS experience preferred.
• Project management skills preferred.
   

Modes of Work

Positions that are eligible for hybrid or mobile/remote work mode are at the discretion of the hiring department. Work agreements are reviewed annually at a minimum and are subject to change at any time, and for any reason, throughout the course of employment. Learn more about the work modes.

Underfill Statement

This position may be underfilled at a lower classification depending on the qualifications of the selected candidate.

Additional Information

Facilities and Operations seeks to recruit and retain a diverse workforce as a reflection of our commitment to serve the diverse people of Michigan, to sustain the excellence of the university, and to offer our students richly varied disciplines, perspectives and ways of knowing and learning.

F&O is a positive organization dedicated to the principles of being respectful, collaborative, solutions-based, and proactive.
 

Background Screening

The University of Michigan conducts background checks on all job candidates upon acceptance of a contingent offer and may use a third party administrator to conduct background checks.  Background checks are performed in compliance with the Fair Credit Reporting Act.

Application Deadline

Job openings are posted for a minimum of seven calendar days.  The review and selection process may begin as early as the eighth day after posting. This opening may be removed from posting boards and filled anytime after the minimum posting period has ended.

U-M EEO/AA Statement

The University of Michigan is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer.