DIR, SOM HR Service Center

Work Arrangement: Hybrid (On-Site and Remote mix)

Requisition Number: 274860

Regular or Temporary: Regular

Location:

Durham, NC, US, 27710

Personnel Area: MEDICAL CENTER

Date: Sep 15, 2026

School of Medicine Established in 1930, Duke University School of Medicine is the youngest of the nation's top medical schools. Ranked sixth among medical schools in the nation, the School takes pride in being an inclusive community of outstanding learners, investigators, clinicians, and staff where interdisciplinary collaboration is embraced and great ideas accelerate translation of fundamental scientific discoveries to improve human health locally and around the globe. Composed of more than 2,600 faculty physicians and researchers, nearly 2,000 students, and more than 6,200 staff, the Duke University School of Medicine along with the Duke University School of Nursing, and Duke University Health System comprise Duke Health, a world-class academic medical center. The Health System encompasses Duke University Hospital, Duke Regional Hospital, Duke Raleigh Hospital, Duke Health Integrated Practice, Duke Primary Care, Duke Home Care and Hospice, Duke Health and Wellness, and multiple affiliations.

Be You.

Duke University’s School of Medicine is looking for a Director, HR Service Center to lead a high-performing team that delivers payroll, leave administration, immigration support, onboarding, and other HR transactional services across more than 40 departments, centers, institutes, and administrative units.

In this role, you'll shape the future of shared HR services by leading a team of HR professionals focused on providing consistent, efficient, and customer-centered support. You'll partner with leaders across the School of Medicine and Duke University to streamline operations, improve service delivery, ensure compliance, and develop scalable processes that support a complex and growing organization.

If you enjoy building strong teams, solving operational challenges, driving continuous improvement, and creating exceptional customer experiences, this is an opportunity to make a significant impact across the School of Medicine.

Minimum Requirements

Work requires a general business or personnel background generally equivalent to a bachelor's degree in a related field.
Work requires five years of business and/or administrative experience, with exposure to human resources activities, to acquire knowledge of human resources policies and procedures necessary to manage the personnel activities of a major department or division.
OR AN EQUIVALENT COMBINATION OF RELEVANT EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE.

Preferred Qualifications

Progressive experience leading HR operations, shared services, payroll, employee services, or related functions.
Minimum 2 years’ experience managing and developing professional staff, including supervisors/managers.
Strong knowledge of HR policies, procedures, compliance requirements, and employee lifecycle processes.
Experience in higher education, academic medicine, healthcare, or a similarly complex organization.
Demonstrated ability to lead process improvement initiatives and implement operational efficiencies.
Excellent communication, problem-solving, and relationship management skills.
Ability to manage multiple priorities and navigate complex organizational environments.
Experience leveraging data and metrics to measure performance and drive improvements.
Demonstrated success building partnerships across diverse stakeholder groups.
Experience developing service standards, training programs, and operational procedures.

Other Requirements

Hybrid eligible - The position is partially remote, and the employee must reside in a Duke University-approved state, and be willing and able to be on-site in Durham, NC as needed to support operational needs.

Must maintain confidentiality and adhere to Duke’s record retention policies

Be Bold.

Key Responsibilities

Lead the School of Medicine HR Service Center, providing strategic direction, operational oversight, and coaching for a team of HR professionals supporting payroll, leave administration, immigration services, onboarding, and other transactional HR functions.

Develop and optimize scalable, compliant, and data-driven HR processes that improve efficiency, standardization, service quality, and the overall customer experience across the School of Medicine.

Partner with departmental HR teams, Payroll, Benefits, Finance, Information Technology, Staff & Labor Relations, Visa Services, and Health System HR to address complex employee transactions, resolve escalated issues, and implement operational improvements.

Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, continuous improvement, and customer service by developing team members, managing performance, monitoring service delivery, and strengthening relationships with internal stakeholders.

Choose Duke.

Join us in building a best-in-class HR service experience for one of the nation's leading academic medical centers. Your leadership will help shape how HR services are delivered across the School of Medicine while supporting the people who advance Duke's mission every day. In the School of Medicine HR Service Center, you’ll join a community built on collaboration, innovation, and belonging. Our teams are committed to supporting staff growth, fostering an inclusive environment, and ensuring that every employee feels valued and heard. You’ll have access to professional development resources, strong HR partnerships, and opportunities to contribute to the success of multiple organizations throughout the SOM.

Job Code: 00001656 DIR, SOM HR SERVICE CENTER
Job Level: 16

Anticipated Pay Range: Duke University provides an annual base salary range for this position as USD $79,724.00 to USD $159,445.00 Duke University considers factors such as (but not limited to) scope and responsibilities of the position; candidate's work experience, education/training, and key skills; internal peer equity; as well as market and organizational considerations when extending an offer.

Your total compensation goes beyond the dollars on your paycheck. Duke provides comprehensive and competitive medical and dental care programs, generous retirement benefits, and a wide array of family-friendly and cultural programs to eligible team members. Learn more at: https://hr.duke.edu/benefits/

Equal Opportunity Employer: Duke is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to providing employment opportunity without regard to an individual's age, color, disability, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy and pregnancy- related conditions), sexual orientation, or military status.

Duke aspires to create a community built on collaboration, innovation, creativity, and belonging. Our collective success depends on the robust exchange of ideas—an exchange that is best when the rich diversity of our perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences flourishes. To achieve this exchange, it is essential that all members of the community feel secure and welcome, that the contributions of all individuals are respected, and that all voices are heard. All members of our community have a responsibility to uphold these values.

Essential Physical Job Functions:

Certain jobs at Duke University and Duke University Health System may include essential job functions that require specific physical and/or mental abilities. Additional information and reasonable accommodation(s) can be requested with Duke Access and Accommodations Services (email: DAAS@duke.edu; phone: 919-668-1267).