Senior Director of Strategic Human Resource Partners

Georgia Institute of Technology Research Institute seeks a leader and a highly accomplished human resource executive who will provides unit-wide strategic direction and execution of Human Resources (HR) functions that align with the strategic and operational plan supporting the Institute's mission and vision. The Senior Director Strategic Human Resource Partner reports to Troy Littles, Chief Operating Officer, Georgia Tech Research Institute (GTRI), with a dotted line to Kellye Terrell, Executive Director, Georgia Tech Human Resources (GTHR).

The Georgia Tech Research Institute (GTRI) is the nonprofit, applied research organization of the Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech).  Founded in 1934 as the Engineering Experiment Station, GTRI has grown to more than 2,900 employees supporting eight laboratories in over 20 locations around the country. In FY2023 GTRI had over $941M of problem-solving research awards for government and industry.

Georgia Tech is a top-ranked public research university situated in the heart of Atlanta, a diverse and vibrant city with numerous economic and cultural strengths. The Institute serves more than 45,000 students through top-ranked undergraduate, graduate, and executive programs in engineering, computing, science, business, design, and liberal arts. Georgia Tech's faculty attracted more than $1.4 billion in research awards this past year in fields ranging from biomedical technology to artificial intelligence, energy, sustainability, semiconductors, neuroscience, and national security. Georgia Tech ranks among the nation's top 20 universities for research and development spending and No. 1 among institutions without a medical school.

Over the next decade, Georgia Tech will become an example of inclusive innovation, a leading technological research university of unmatched scale, relentlessly committed to serving the public good; breaking new ground in addressing the biggest local, national, and global challenges and opportunities of our time; making technology broadly accessible; and developing exceptional, principled leaders from all backgrounds ready to produce novel ideas and create solutions with real human impact.

Georgia Tech prides itself on its technological resources, collaborations, high-quality student body, and its commitment to building an outstanding and diverse community of learning, discovery, and creation. We strongly encourage applicants whose values align with our institutional values, as outlined in our Strategic Plan. These values include academic excellence, diversity of thought and experience, inquiry and innovation, collaboration and community, and ethical behavior and stewardship. Georgia Tech has policies to promote a healthy work-life balance and is aware that attracting faculty may require meeting the needs of two careers.

The Senior Director Strategic Human Resource Partner (Senior Director) oversees, directs, and leads the unit's HR function to provide strategic human resources support that enables the unit to reach its strategic goals. In addition, the Senior Director will provide functional leadership for programs and technical initiatives implementing new tools in support of Institute-wide Human Resources mission, vision, and goals. This position collaborates with central units and relevant stakeholders on processes, systems, and files and is responsible for setting group and individual goals, assessing performance, providing feedback, and making pay recommendations. Within the GTRI HR department, the Senior Director will be responsible for hiring, training, and mentoring employees, and implementing a vision for HR that will ensure GTRI has comprehensive compensation and benefits plans that are competitive and cost-effective as well as best-in-class services in succession planning, recruitment, retention, talent management, change management, organizational and performance management, and training and development. In addition to improving efficiencies and service to the community, the Senior Director will manage risk and will oversee employee related policies and practices with a keen understanding of regulatory requirements in the human resources area and excellent analytical and communication skills.  The position will also require experience with labor relations including employee dispute resolution. The Senior Director will have oversight and responsibility for overseeing the human resources operations at the Institute and providing administrative support for over 2,900 employees – including 1,900 faculty, 540 staff, and 340 student employees.  

Success in this executive-level position requires a Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration or related field or equivalent combination of education and experience and ten or more years of job-related experience - with at least five years of managing activities directly related to HR Business Partners, Employee Relations, or Talent Management. In addition, the successful candidate will have Professional experience in Organizational Psychology, Industrial Relations, or Human Resources, advanced knowledge of Higher Education, Higher Education HR, and Title IX and of HR and Faculty Affairs related principles and methodologies and a working knowledge of HRIS such as PeopleSoft HRMS and Workday.  Knowledge of federal and state laws, University policy, and regulations related to Human Resources is a must.  A Master's Degree or first Professional Degree, Professional in Human Resources (PHR) certification and Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR) certification are preferred.  

For a full position description, please see here.

APPLICATION INFORMATION

Georgia Tech has engaged Opus Partners to support the recruitment of this position.  Katie Dean, Partner, and Marisea Rivera, Senior Associate, are leading the search. Confidential inquiries, applications, and nominations should be submitted by email to marisea.rivera@opuspartners.net. All possible discretion will be exercised to maintain the privacy of applicants through the search process.

The Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech) is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. The University is committed to maintaining a fair and respectful environment for all. To that end, and in accordance with federal and state law, Board of Regents policy, and University policy, Georgia Tech provides equal opportunity to all faculty, staff, students, and all other members of the Georgia Tech community, including applicants for admission and/or employment, contractors, volunteers, and participants in institutional programs, activities, or services. Georgia Tech complies with all applicable laws and regulations governing equal opportunity in the workplace and in educational activities.

Georgia Tech prohibits discrimination, including discriminatory harassment, on the basis of race, ethnicity, ancestry, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, age, disability, genetics, or veteran status in its programs, activities, employment, and admissions. This prohibition applies to faculty, staff, students, and all other members of the Georgia Tech community, including affiliates, invitees, and guests. Further, Georgia Tech prohibits citizenship status, immigration status, and national origin discrimination in hiring, firing, and recruitment, except where such restrictions are required in order to comply with law, regulation, executive order, or Attorney General directive, or where they are required by Federal, State, or local government contract.

All members of the USG community must adhere to the USG Statement of Core Values, which consists of Integrity, Excellence, Accountability, and Respect. These values shape and fundamentally support our University’s work. Additionally, all faculty, staff, and administrators must also be aware of and comply with the Board of Regents and Georgia Institute of Technology's policies on Freedom of Expression and Academic Freedom. More information on these policies can be found here: Board of Regents Policy Manual | University System of Georgia (usg.edu).