Director, Library Human Resource

Duke University:

Duke University was created in 1924 through an indenture of trust by James Buchanan Duke. Today, Duke is regarded as one of America’s leading research universities. Located in Durham, North Carolina, Duke is positioned in the heart of the Research Triangle, which is ranked annually as one of the best places in the country to work and live. Duke has more than 15,000 students who study and conduct research in its 10 undergraduate, graduate and professional schools. With about 40,000 employees, Duke is the third largest private employer in North Carolina, and it now has international programs in more than 150 countries.

Director, Library Human Resources

Position Summary

The Director of Library Human Resources (LHR) serves as a member of the Finance and Operations (F&O) leadership team and provides strategic planning and execution over Duke University Library’s (DUL) Human Resources department. This position works collaboratively at the organizational and departmental levels to ensure responsive and innovative human resources programs for all staff of the Duke University Libraries. It oversees and provides leadership for the delivery of key HR functions, including recruitment, employee relations, performance management, diversity, equity and inclusion, and staff development. The LHR Director reports to the Associate University Librarian and Director of Finance and Operations.

Responsibilities

Talent Management and Engagement

• Provide leadership and direction for recruitment activities at DUL, acting as a resource and advisor to search committees and hiring managers. Promote best practices and education to ensure equity and inclusion in the recruitment process.
• Collaborate with EG members to review, advise, and take action on organizational structure and position requests.
• Provide leadership and consultation to support supervisors, managers, and Executive Group members in handling complex employee relations issues. Conduct thorough and objective investigations and offer confidential consultation on employment issues to all library staff members. Serve as liaison with Staff and Labor Relations, Office of Institutional Equity, and Access and Accommodation Services as needed.

• Oversee the performance management process for DUL staff; recommend various personnel actions including, but not limited to, hiring, performance appraisal, disciplinary actions, and vacation schedules.
• Develop and contribute to programs that promote diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility in the library. Stay informed on emerging trends, research, and resources to identify innovative opportunities for enhancing diversity programming and projects to foster an inclusive environment.

Design and implement communication strategies for HR initiatives such as policy changes, wellness promotion, training and onboarding programs, and leadership development, ensuring they are well-received and understood by all employees.

Compensation Analysis and Planning

• Monitor compensation market trends and recommend adjustments to reflect current trends.
• Work closely with Total Rewards to ensure all library positions are correctly classified and market-reflective.
• Work with the AUL and Director of Finance and Operations to prepare annual salary settings and compensation reporting for DUL.
• Assist with salary budget planning and staffing requirements throughout the year.

Departmental Leadership

• Set vision/leadership/strategic leadership plan; oversee the operations of the DUL Human Resources Department, including hiring, supervising, and evaluating staff, as well as preparing and managing the departmental budget.
• Maintain and build close working relationships with Duke HR professionals, staff, and other relevant offices and departments to address human resources issues and actions.
• Actively contribute to strategic library-wide initiatives, participate in departmental and division-wide activities, and serve on library and University committees.
• Compile, monitor, and provide statistical information related to workforce demographics, trends, and other HR analytics. Prepare reports and analyses reflecting progress, benchmarks, adverse trends, and appropriate recommendations or conclusions.
• Engage in local, consortia, regional, and national meetings to stay abreast of HR developments and trends and represent Duke University Libraries.
• Prepare reports and analyses reflecting progress, adverse trends and appropriate recommendations or conclusions; ensure maintenance of appropriate personnel records.

Special Projects/Other Duties

• Perform other related duties incidental to the work described herein.

Supervisory Responsibilities

• Supervises Human Resources staff 2.0 FTE

Qualifications

It is the expectation that all Duke University Libraries staff members will demonstrate exceptional workplace behaviors in the execution of their specific position responsibilities. These behaviors are customer focus, collaboration, creative problem solving, continuous learning, and a commitment to creating a culture of inclusion that values and respects diversity of perspective, background, and experience.  In addition, managers and supervisors are expected to help develop a common vision by providing clear direction and priorities, clarifying roles and responsibilities, and promoting mutual understanding through effective communication.  They are also expected to take the time to effectively plan and evaluate performance, provide feedback, recognition and coaching, and develop employees to achieve their personal and organizational goals.  

Professional toolkit

Functional expertise:

• • At least five years of management and/or supervisory experience
  • Compensation budgeting and management
  • Advanced digital literacy, including expertise in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel & Outlook)
  • Proficiency in database management (e.g., Access)
  • Demonstrated ability to quickly adopt new software tools as required for job functions
  • Thorough knowledge of labor laws, regulations, and HR best practices
  • Demonstrated analytical and data-driven mindset to identify trends and make data-informed decisions

• Essential attributes:
  • Commitment to fostering a diverse, dynamic and inclusive work environment
  • Collaborative leadership and clear communication style
  • Excellent verbal and written communication skills, interpersonal skills involving the ability to establish trust, and understand social behavior and interactions
  • Demonstrated experience in conducting investigations and resolving employee issues effectively, while maintaining the highest level of confidentiality

Education

Required: Work requires a general business or personnel background generally equivalent to a bachelor's degree in a related field.

Preferred: Appropriate graduate degree; Relevant certifications in HR, employee relations or conflict resolution are a plus.  

Experience

Required:  Work requires five years of business and/or administrative experience, with substantial exposure to human resources activities, to acquire comprehensive knowledge and application of recruitment, compensation, training and development, performance management, and employee relations best practices.

Preferred: Prior experience in a higher education setting

• OR AN EQUIVALENT COMBINATION OF RELEVANT EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE

Working Conditions

• Eligible for optional hybrid work after satisfactory completion of onboarding period
• Normal office environment

Compensation:

• Range $100,00 - $125,000 - based on experience and aligned with internal equity.

These statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by the employee in this position. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of a person in this position. This description is subject to change at any time.

Application

An electronic resume, cover letter, and list of 3 references should be submitted at https://careers.duke.edu/ - Search for Requisition ID # 250351. Review of applications will begin immediately and will continue until the position is filled.

Applications which are missing any of the components listed above will not be reviewed.

Salary and Benefits

We are committed to transparency and fairness in our hiring practice. The hiring range for this position is firm at $100,000 - $125,000.  Offers will reflect the candidate’s years of experience and internal equity.

Duke offers a comprehensive benefit package which includes both traditional benefits such as health insurance, leave time and retirement, as well as wide ranging work/life and cultural benefits. Details can be found at: http://www.hr.duke.edu/benefits .

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.

Duke is an Affirmative Action/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, sexual orientation, or veteran 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 essentialjob functions that require specific physical and/or mental abilities. Additional information and provision for requests for reasonable accommodation will be provided by each hiring department.