A cover letter and resume are important submissions for the hiring team to get a sense of your experience. A cover letter is required to be considered for this position. In the cover letter, please let us know how this position will align with your career aspirations and skills. Submit both a cover letter and resume as one file (because of system limitations).

For questions about this role or accommodation requests, contact talent.acquisition@umich.edu

Please note: Due to the holiday season, we anticipate the interview process will begin in mid-January.

The Human Resources Director for the University of Michigan Center of Innovation (UMCI) leads all HR and employment functions for UMCI, a new Academic Affairs unit within the Office of the Provost. Reporting to our Director of Administration and Finance, you will help us grow by partnering with our leadership team to shape strategic initiatives and HR policies. You will guide our recruitment and onboarding of non-academic staff and work with us across divisions to coordinate hiring efforts. In addition, you will support our managers by advising on personnel matters and help us build a strong workplace culture through training on HR procedures and benefits.

In addition to a career filled with purpose and opportunity, The University of Michigan offers a comprehensive benefits package to help you stay well, protect yourself and your family and plan for a secure future. Benefits include:

• Generous time off
• A retirement plan that provides two-for-one matching contributions with immediate vesting
• Many choices for comprehensive health insurance
• Life insurance
• Long-term disability coverage
• Flexible spending accounts for healthcare and dependent care expenses

General HR Management

• Partner with UMCI leadership to direct and support staff operations, serving as the primary resource for HR strategy, policies, procedures, compliance, and employment matters (including performance, classification, compensation, and leave).
• Oversee and ensure the HR process aligns with University and Provost guidelines.
• Advise on and approve tuition, relocation, and leave requests; manage employee relations and sensitive matters in collaboration with the Provost Office HR.
• Lead internal control reviews, risk assessments, and procedural updates; maintain and update UMCI HR policies and procedures.
• Recommend HR procedural improvements and represent UMCI in university-wide HR groups (e.g., HRCG, Academic HR).
• Draft and oversee HR survey data requests, intranet content, and special HR projects.
• Foster community through new HR programs, communications, and support for professional development opportunities.
• Analyze HR data to support decisions, create reports for leadership, and make recommendations.
• Support staff and managers in workforce planning, workforce climate, coaching, and conflict resolution

Recruitment and Employment

• Lead and advise on recruitment and onboarding for staff; ensure full compliance with university policies.
• Collaborate with hiring managers to create job descriptions, determine classifications and salaries, and manage posting/offers.
• Serve as UMCI liaison for hiring approvals; ensure compliance with I-9, referral, and background check requirements.
• Manage onboarding/offboarding processes as the main HR contact for staff.
• Develop programs and communications to build community and provide professional development opportunities for all employees.

Office Support and Supervision

• Supervise and mentor HR Generalist; manage workload distribution.
• Lead HR training initiatives and ensure service continuity and cross-coverage.
• Align HR operations with UMCI's strategic goals in partnership with leadership.
• Analyze HR data to support decisions, create reports for leadership, and make recommendations.

• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related field (or equivalent combination of education and experience).
• Minimum 5+ years of progressively responsible HR experience, with at least 2 years in a leadership or management HR role within higher education
• Comprehensive knowledge of HR policies and practices, including recruitment, onboarding, compensation, classification, performance management, staff relations, and leave administration (e.g., FMLA)
• Demonstrated ability to independently resolve complex HR issues and make sound decisions
• Experience leading HR projects and managing process improvements

The position is designed as a hybrid role with a blend of remote and onsite responsibilities requiring the presence of individuals for on-site engagement and collaboration 3 days per week.

Location: Newlab Detroit - 2050 15th Street, Detroit, MI

Positions that are eligible for hybrid or mobile/remote work mode are at the discretion of the hiring department. Work agreements are reviewed annually at a minimum and are subject to change at any time, and for any reason, throughout the course of employment. Learn more about the work modes.

Job openings are posted for a minimum of seven calendar days. The review and selection process may begin as early as the eighth day after posting. This opening may be removed from posting boards and filled anytime after the minimum posting period has ended.

The University of Michigan is an equal employment opportunity employer.