Description

External Retirement Plan TRS or ORP Employment Type Employee Benefits Eligibility Benefits Eligible Full/Part time Full Time Work Schedule Additional Schedule Information
This is a full-time, on-site position based in Athens, Georgia. The work schedule is Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
Advertised Salary Commensurate with experience Posting Date 11/25/2025 Open until filled Yes Closing Date Proposed Starting Date 02/01/2026 Special Instructions to Applicants
Applicant screening will begin immediately. To be fully considered, the application packet should include 1. A cover letter detailing how the applicant's credentials and experience meet the needs, responsibilities, and qualifications stated in the posting; 2. A current resume and 3. A list of references and their contact information.

Please note that successful applicants are responsible for ensuring their eligibility to work in the United States (i.e. a citizen or national of the United States, a lawful permanent resident, a foreign national authorized to work in the United States without need of employer sponsorship) on or before the effective date of your appointment, and maintain eligibility without sponsorship throughout your appointment.
Location of Vacancy Athens Area EEO Policy Statement
The University of Georgia is an Equal Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, color, disability, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, or veteran status or other protected status. Persons needing accommodations or assistance with the accessibility of materials related to this search are encouraged to contact Central HR (hrweb@uga.edu).
USG Core Values Statement
The University System of Georgia is comprised of our 26 institutions of higher education and learning, as well as the System Office. Our USG Statement of Core Values are Integrity, Excellence, Accountability, and Respect. These values serve as the foundation for all that we do as an organization, and each USG community member is responsible for demonstrating and upholding these standards. More details on the USG Statement of Core Values and Code of Conduct are available in USG Board Policy 8.2.18.1.2 and can be found online at https://www.usg.edu/policymanual/section8/C224/#p8.2.18_personnel_conduct.

Additionally, USG supports Freedom of Expression as stated in Board Policy 6.5 Freedom of Expression and Academic Freedom found online at https://www.usg.edu/policymanual/section6/C2653.

Position Information

Classification Title University HR Director FLSA Exempt FTE 1.00 Minimum Qualifications
Bachelor's degree in a related field and 12 years of professional experience to include 3 years in a leadership role.
Preferred Qualifications

• Masters degree preferred
• 7+ years in higher education human resources.
• Progressive experience in the areas of talent management, recruitment, and workforce engagement
• 2 years or more of supervisory experience, with a demonstrated ability to lead multi-functional HR teams
• Previous experience in recruitment, hiring, and employee relations within a large, complex organization.
• HR certification such as (SHRM-CP, SHRM-SCP, HRCI PHR, HRCI SPHR)

Position Summary
The Senior Director of Talent and Workforce Engagement is a key contributor to the success of UGA's greatest resource: its people! Reporting to the Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer, this senior director will shape the university's talent acquisition strategy, leading efforts to attract, engage, and retain top talent across the employee lifecycle. As a University Human Resources Leadership Team member, they will engage with various internal and external constituents to ensure a positive candidate experience, develop a robust talent pipeline, and address complex and sensitive faculty and staff matters. They utilize qualitative and quantitative analytics to create, execute, and evaluate strategies to identify, attract, recruit, and retain top talent, as well as to oversee employee- and organization-focused activities.

This position provides strategic leadership and oversight for the university-wide employee relations and workforce engagement program, promoting a positive and productive work environment that supports the success of UGA's workforce. The Senior Director also leads the development and execution of comprehensive workforce planning and organizational design initiatives, ensuring the university's structures, roles, and talent strategies are aligned to meet current priorities and future institutional needs.

Central to this role is the responsibility for continuing to cultivate UGA's employer brand. This includes strengthening our reputation as an employer of choice, driving enterprise-wide engagement and retention strategies, and partnering with executive leaders to build a high-performing, future-ready workforce. With a bold, data-driven approach, the Senior Director ensures that all efforts are rooted in growth, recognition, shared values, and aligned with the university's mission to proactively create and maintain a positive work environment for all.
Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and/or Competencies

• Experienced in developing and implementing effective recruiting strategies to build a robust talent pipeline, while fostering a strong employer brand.
• Strong background in higher education recruiting with a proven ability to identify, attract, and hire top talent.
• Knowledge of employee relations and employment policy to include conducting investigations and related training.
• An elevated understanding of mediating differences, facilitating discussions, and coaching using exceptional creativity and judgment.
• Understanding and managing workforce analytics and the implications of data to determine workforce opportunities.
• Maintaining employee records and associated systems.
• Professional experience in an office setting.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills and the ability to deal effectively and professionally with a variety of people at all levels of management within and external to a university environment.
• Experienced in investigation techniques.
• Attention to detail and organizational skills.
• Proficiency in planning, organizing, prioritizing multiple tasks, and meeting deadlines.
• Excellent customer service, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
• Knowledge of functions throughout human resources to appreciate the intersection of recruiting and talent management with other functions.
• Oversight and development of employment policies and procedures.

Physical Demands

• Ability to work in a standard office environment and operate electronic equipment including, but not limited to, computers, laptops and all peripheral devices.
• Ability to work using electronic mail, telephone, face-to-face discussions, and paper form correspondence.

Is driving a responsibility of this position? No Is this a Position of Trust? Yes Does this position have operation, access, or control of financial resources? No Does this position require a P-Card? No Is having a P-Card an essential function of this position? No Does this position have direct interaction or care of children under the age of 18 or direct patient care? No Does this position have Security Access (e.g., public safety, IT security, personnel records, patient records, or access to chemicals and medications) Yes Credit and P-Card policy
Be advised a credit check will be required for all positions with financial responsibilities. For additional information about the credit check criteria, visit the UGA Credit Background Check website.
Background Investigation Policy
Offers of employment are contingent upon completion of a background investigation including, a criminal background check demonstrating your eligibility for employment with the University of Georgia; confirmation of the credentials and employment history reflected in your application materials (including reference checks) as they relate to the job-based requirements of the position applied for; and, if applicable, a satisfactory credit check. You may also be subject to a pre-employment drug test for positions with high-risk responsibilities, if applicable. Please visit the UGA Background Check website.

Duties/Responsibilities

Duties/Responsibilities
Strategic Recruitment & Talent Acquisition
Provide leadership and oversight of university-wide recruitment, overseeing strategy, processes, and systems.

• Oversee the design, implementation, and management of efficient recruiting processes.
• Plan, develop, and direct strategies to reach and recruit top candidates
• Direct departments with their search requirements.
• Utilize social media to promote university jobs.
• Assess and manage recruitment systems, including vendor engagement.
• Data analytics related to recruitment process efficiency, trend analysis, and improvement.
• Advise and consult with hiring managers to provide strategic recruitment support.
• Direct the Executive Search and Talent Management teams.

Percentage of time 30 Duties/Responsibilities
Workforce Planning and Organizational Design
Lead the development and implementation of strategic organizational design initiatives, policies, and programs

• Oversee and manage strategic HR initiatives.
• Develop, design, and implement HR policies, processes, and programs.
• Actively engage in efforts to achieve the UHR strategic plan.
• Represent UHR on campus committees and initiatives.
• Oversee the utilization of case data and other information as a sound practice for diagnosing trends and issues in the workplace.
• Direct the Workforce planning and organizational design team.

Percentage of time 25 Duties/Responsibilities
Employee Relations & Workforce Engagement
Provide leadership and oversight for the university-wide employee relations and workforce engagement program

• Act as an internal consultant for complex faculty and staff matters.
• Educate leaders on employee relations and policy interpretation.
• Lead investigations into employee conduct issues.
• Develop and implement corrective action plans.
• Develop, implement, and maintain a case management system that will build an analytics framework.
• Direct and facilitate the Workforce Engagement team.

Percentage of time 20 Duties/Responsibilities
Leadership & Strategic Planning
Provide strategic leadership as a member of the UHR leadership team

• Serve as a member of the UHR Leadership team.
• Provide performance management, coaching, and professional development for direct reports, including associated staff
• Develop and implement a service model for a decentralized human resources service model.
• Foster a positive workplace culture.

Percentage of time 15 Duties/Responsibilities
Process Improvement & Operational Efficiency
Drive operational excellence through data-driven process improvement and system optimization.

• Manage research and implement process improvement initiatives.
• Utilize data analytics to report results, analyze trends, and streamline hiring processes.
• Oversee the procurement and management of recruitment-related systems and engagement with vendors.
• Identify areas of opportunity for improvement.
• Other duties as defined by the VP Chief Human Resources Officer.

Percentage of time 10

Contact Information

Recruitment Contact

Contact Details
For questions concerning this position or recruitment progression, please refer to the Recruitment Contact listed below.
Recruitment Contact Name Recruitment Contact Email Recruitment Contact Phone

Posting Specific Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

Applicant Documents

Required Documents

1. Resume/CV
2. Cover Letter
3. List of References with Contact Information

Optional Documents