Director of Talent Engagement & Development
University of Tennessee, Knoxville
Knoxville, TN
Full-time
Human Resources
Posted on April 16, 2024
Director of Talent Engagement & Development
The University of Tennessee Foundation, Inc.
The University of Tennessee Foundation, Inc (UTFI) invites applications and nominations to fill the position of Director of Talent Engagement & Development. Reporting to the Executive Director of Talent Management, the Director of Talent Engagement & Development serves as the principal leader of workforce engagement, workplace culture and employee relations for the UT Foundation.
The purpose of this position is to serve as a strategic advisor to campus Vice Chancellors of Advancement and UT Foundation leadership, executing responsibilities related to personnel matters, models of positive discipline and organizational inclusion initiatives. The selected candidate will lead employee engagement initiatives that enhance employee satisfaction and foster a positive workplace culture aligned with the Foundation’s mission and values.
Additionally, the Director will chair the Foundation’s Access and Engagement committee, which is charged with enhancing and elevating the Foundation’s capacity to acquire and retain a talented workforce by centering the principles of accessibility, engagement, and equal opportunity.
Job responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
Employee Relations:
- Maintain an effective employee relations program, directing positive resolution for all employee performance/conflict situations; to include conducting investigations, mediating between parties, serving as an advocate, and consulting with management and labor counsel as needed.
- Develop and oversee positive discipline written warnings, employee performance improvement plans, severance documents and any other forms of supportive performance documents.
- Oversight of environmental health and workplace safety, including investigating workplace incidents/accidents, preparing reports, and providing accommodation support or environmental modifications to support overall risk management.
- Build and implement a data-driven organizational health framework, designed to understand, synthesize, and operationalize organizational health indicators and employee engagement survey results/feedback.
- Design and manage programs, tools, and measures aimed at fostering and maintaining a positive work environment, including employee recognition and engagement initiatives including rewards, service awards, and employee engagement surveys.
- Chair the UT Foundation Access and Engagement Committee and drive the charge annually to establish goals, priorities, agendas, and accountability.
- Serve as the main resource, advocate, and liaison for access and engagement efforts for each of the campuses supported by the Foundation.
- Research and implement access and engagement best-practices, with the goals of creating and retaining a culturally competent workforce and establishing the Foundation as an equal opportunity industry leader.
Qualifications :
Required Education and Experience
The candidate who fills the Director of Talent Engagement & Development position is required to have:
- Bachelor’s degree in human resources, business, or related field
- 5 or more years of experience in human resources, employee relations, HR compliance, inclusive programming, organizational development, or related field
- Understanding of HR and legal compliance requirements; understanding of HR programs and their support of business objectives required.
- Experience with designing and implementing employee relations systems, including documentation and reporting.
- Extensive experience conducting investigations and making recommendations.
- Strong interpersonal, writing, communication, organizational, project management and presentation skills.
In addition to meeting the required qualifications, the preferred candidate will have:
- Proven knowledge of core HR processes including performance management, leadership development, talent management, succession planning, training and organizational development.
NOTE – When determining minimum qualifications, only information entered into the candidate profile can be considered. Please ensure your candidate profile is completed in its entirety as it relates to qualifying education/work experience.
Questions about the search may be directed to hr@utfi.org.
Target Start Date: July 1, 2024
Benefits: Recognized as a Top Employer by Knoxville Top Workplaces in 2022 and 2023, the Foundation’s greatest asset is our team. Foundation employees are eligible for a comprehensive suite of benefits that includes:
- Generous paid leave, accruing up to 24 days of vacation and 12 days of sick leave annually, plus 14 paid holidays and administrative closing days
- Flexible work arrangements, offering a hybrid schedule to most team members
- Education benefits for employees and their dependents at UT System campuses
- Retirement and deferred compensation plans, including 401(k) and 403(b).
- Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance plan options
- Employee discounts to attractions, services, and goods
The Foundation: The University of Tennessee Foundation, Inc. is a not-for-profit 501(c)3 organization that serves as the preferred channel for private contributions benefiting students and faculty within the UT System. With a vision of being one of the top-performing advancement organizations in higher education, UTFI is committed to enhancing the educational landscape across the University of Tennessee campuses.
The UT System: The University of Tennessee System is comprised of campuses at Knoxville, Chattanooga, Pulaski, Martin and the Health Science Center at Memphis; the Institute of Agriculture; and the Institute for Public Service.
The University of Tennessee Foundation, Inc. is an EEO/AA/Title VI/Title IX/Section 504/ADA/ADEA employer. All qualified applicants will receive equal consideration for employment without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, pregnancy, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, physical or mental disability, genetic information, veteran status, and parental status, or any other characteristic protected by federal or state law.
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