Human Resources - Director for Faculty Affairs
5151 Park Ave, Fairfield, CT 06825, USA
Job Description
Posted Thursday, August 28, 2025 at 4:00 AM
As the second-largest Catholic university in New England, and one of the fastest-growing private doctoral institutions in the U.S., Sacred Heart University is a national leader in shaping higher education for the 21st century. SHU offers more than 100 undergraduate, graduate and doctoral programs on its Fairfield, Conn., campus. Sacred Heart also has a campus in Dingle, Ireland, and offers online programs. More than 10,000 students attend the University’s eight colleges and schools: College of Arts & Sciences; School of Communication, Media & the Arts; School of Social Work; School of Computer Science & Engineering; College of Health Professions; the Isabelle Farrington College of Education & Human Development; the Jack Welch College of Business & Technology and the Dr. Susan L. Davis, R.N., & Richard J. Henley College of Nursing. Sacred Heart, a Laudato Si’ campus, stands out from other Catholic institutions as it was established and led by laity. The contemporary Catholic university is rooted in the rich Catholic intellectual tradition and the liberal arts, and at the same time cultivates students to be forward thinkers who enact change—in their own lives, professions and in their communities. The Princeton Review includes SHU in itsBest 390 Colleges: 2025 Edition, andBest Business Schools: 2024 Edition. Sacred Heart is home to the award-winning, NPR-affiliate station, WSHU Public Radio, a Division I athletics program, and an impressive performing arts program that includes choir, band, dance, and theatre. www.sacredheart.edu
Only applications submitted through the official Careers at SHU site will be accepted for employment consideration. If you are viewing this job advertisement through a different site, please visit Careers at SHU to submit a formal application.
Qualified candidates are invited to submit a complete application and resume via our online application system. A cover letter or statement of interest is also preferred for all staff positions.
Sacred Heart University complies with all federal and state employment laws and regulations. Applicants must be lawfully authorized to work for any employer in the United States. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment Visa for this position.
Position Summary
The Human Resources Director for Faculty Affairs has a strong background in human resources and plays a crucial role in supporting the academic mission of Sacred Heart University. The incumbent is a member of the Academic Affairs Leadership Council (AALC) and is responsible for overseeing all aspects of faculty affairs, ensuring the recruitment and retention of a highly qualified and diverse faculty body. The Human Resources Director for Faculty Affairs collaborates with various stakeholders, including academic departments, faculty committees, and university administration, to foster a positive and inclusive academic environment that promotes teaching excellence, research productivity, and faculty growth.
Leadership, Management, and Strategic Planning
* Provides counsel to the Provost and members of the AALC on all faculty-related personnel matters.
* Collaborates with University leadership to align faculty affairs initiatives with the institution’s strategic goals and priorities.
* Provides leadership in identifying emerging trends and best practices in faculty recruitment and retention.
* Supervises the Faculty Affairs Coordinator, who is responsible for operational activities including onboarding all new faculty, maintaining the HRIS database for faculty, supporting faculty recruitment processes, managing the adjunct and overload payroll process, and coordinating with payroll to ensure all faculty are paid properly.
* As ex officio member of the Faculty Handbook and Governance Committee, lead the ongoing review, revision, and implementation of changes to the Faculty Handbook and the shared governance structure.
* Works closely with the shared governance (currently University Academic Assembly (UAA)) officers and committees to maintain productive, positive relationships and open lines of communication.
* Collaborates with the Office for Inclusive Excellence to continually strive to create an inclusive environment for faculty via policies, procedures, and processes related to faculty, to reflect SHU’s commitment to inclusivity.
* Collaborates with Academic Affairs senior leaders, deans, associate deans, and stakeholders in matters related to faculty personnel, interpreting provisions of the Faculty Handbook, SHU Human Resources Policies as they apply to faculty, and other related areas crucial to achieving University goals and objectives.
Faculty Recruitment and Hiring
* Provide HR support to Academic Affairs leadership searches conducted through retained search firms and as assigned.
* Collaborate with academic departments to identify faculty needs and job ads, ensuring compliance with university policies and relevant regulations throughout the search process.
* Provide search committee training and support
Faculty Policies, Procedures, and Compliance
* Oversees the implementation of all faculty personnel processes, policies, and procedures. Provides leadership to revise or develop new faculty personnel processes, policies, and procedures consistent with the mission and strategic goals of Human Resources, the Academic Affairs division, the University, and maintains compliance with Federal and State employment laws.
* Partners with appropriate Human Resources partners to provide oversight over all personnel processes related to faculty, academic affairs administrators, and staff within the Academic Affairs Division, including, but not limited to, recruitment, appointment/reappointment, tenure and/or promotion, faculty benefit and compensation plan implementation, faculty performance evaluation processes (annual, mid-tenure review, etc.), paid and unpaid leaves, retirement programs, and termination processes.
* Participates in Title VII and IX complaints/investigations as they relate to faculty.
* Oversees employee relations matters related to faculty, including performance improvement, corrective action, grievances, termination, and/or layoffs.
* Coordinates with the university appointed immigration attorney to submit applications for working visas and permanent residence for faculty who require work authorization.
* Implements smooth termination processes for resignations and negotiated terminations of faculty members. Collaborate with Human Resources partners to ensure all separating faculty are appropriately compensated, benefits are terminated or transitioned, and SHU property is returned.
* Provide guidance to faculty and academic departments on matters such as leaves of absence, sabbaticals, workload assignments, and faculty grievances.
* Maintain an up-to-date understanding of relevant laws, regulations, and policies related to faculty employment and academic affairs.
* Plan and conduct workshops for faculty, department chairs/program directors, and deans on all faculty-related personnel processes and development as appropriate.
Faculty Relations and Engagement
* Serve as a resource for faculty concerns, grievances, and conflict resolution.
* Promote faculty engagement in shared governance, encouraging participation in faculty committees and university-wide initiatives.
* Foster positive faculty relations and facilitate open lines of communication.
Faculty Data Management
* Acts in the capacity of System Administrator of Watermark for the Faculty Success and Workflow modules. Updates administrative data, creates and launches workflows, and makes training available for faculty and deans.
* Generate reports and analyze faculty data to inform decision-making and strategic planning processes.
* Oversee the maintenance of accurate and up-to-date faculty records.
* Other duties as assigned
Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, & Other Attributes
* A bachelor’s or master’s degree in human resources, business administration, or a related field, or equivalent experience.
* Extensive knowledge (10+ years) and experience in human resources management, preferably in a higher education or academic setting.
* Strong leadership and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work effectively with diverse stakeholders.
* Excellent organizational and project management skills, including the ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines in a timely manner.
* Effective communication skills, both written and verbal, with the ability to articulate complex ideas clearly and concisely.
* Commitment to promoting and supporting the mission of the University and the Office of Inclusive Excellence.
* Knowledge of employment laws and practices, including but not limited to Title VI, VII, Title IX, ERISA, EEO, FMLA, and ADA.
* Strong computer skills with a focus on Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint) in a Windows-based environment. Experience with Dayforce and Watermark’s Faculty Success and Workflow modules is ideal.
* Evidence of the practice of high levels of confidentiality and discretion.
Unusual Working Conditions
Extra work hours may be necessary as required by special projects, workload, or deadlines.
This job posting provides an overview of the role's general nature and expected tasks. It is not meant to be a comprehensive list of all duties performed. The university reserves the right to modify or reassign job responsibilities at any time. This posting description does not constitute an employment contract, either explicit or implied.
Sacred Heart University is a space that respects and embraces differences, recognizes the unique contributions that individuals can make, and creates a community that maximizes the potential of all faculty and staff. As an equal opportunity employer, we encourage applications from qualified candidates who reflect the wider world in which we live.
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