Associate Director - Human Resources

Division of Research, Innovation & Impact

The University of Missouri's Division of Research, Innovation & Impact (RII) is seeking an accomplished HR professional to serve as Associate Director of Human Resources, a senior HR leadership role supporting one of the University's most dynamic and complex enterprises.

RII brings together research centers, institutes, programs, and administrative functions supporting the University's research and innovation mission. The Associate Director will serve as a strategic HR partner to RII leadership while leading the embedded HR team responsible for delivering responsive, consistent, and forward-looking HR services across the division.

What You'll Do

In this role, you will have the opportunity to shape HR strategy and service delivery across a diverse research organization. You will:

• Serve as a trusted HR advisor to RII's senior leaders, managers, and supervisors.
• Lead and develop the HR professionals supporting the division.
• Guide leaders through complex employee relations, performance management, organizational change, and workforce matters.
• Develop workforce strategies involving organizational design, recruitment, retention, talent development, and succession planning.
• Strengthen HR practices and service delivery across research centers, institutes, administrative units, and programs.
• Lead division-wide HR initiatives and process improvements.
• Partner with University HR and other institutional offices to navigate complex workforce and organizational issues.
• Help RII attract, develop, and retain the talent needed to advance the University's research mission.

What We're Looking For

The successful candidate will be an experienced HR professional who combines strong technical HR knowledge with sound judgment, relationship-building skills, and a strategic perspective.

Why This Role

This is an opportunity to operate well beyond transactional HR. The Associate Director will have meaningful influence over how RII approaches workforce strategy, employee relations, organizational design, talent, and HR service delivery.

The role regularly works with senior leadership and institutional partners and requires a high degree of independent judgment in resolving complicated workforce and organizational issues.

For an HR leader who enjoys solving complex problems, building effective teams, improving systems, and partnering directly with leadership, this position offers the opportunity to make a division-wide impact while supporting the University of Missouri's research and innovation mission.

Monday - Friday, 8 am to 5 pm

A bachelor's degree or an equivalent combination of education and experience and at least 6 years of experience from which comparable knowledge and skills can be acquired is necessary

Candidates should bring:

A bachelor's degree or an equivalent combination of education and relevant experience.
At least five years of relevant professional experience.
Experience advising leaders on complex HR and workforce matters.
Strong knowledge of employee relations, performance management, talent acquisition, workforce planning, and organizational effectiveness.
The ability to interpret policy and apply professional judgment in situations where the answer is not always prescribed.
Demonstrated ability to build trusted relationships with leaders and stakeholders across organizational boundaries.
Experience leading people, projects, or HR service delivery in a complex organization.

Preferred: Professional HR certification such as PHR, SPHR, SHRM-CP, or SHRM-SCP and experience supporting higher education, research, academic, health care, government, or another complex professional environment.

Salary: $69,097.60 - $100,000 annually
Grade GGS - 12
University Title : ASOC DIR HUMAN RESOURCES
To review the University of Missouri's Staff Compensation Structure you can view the Job Code detail page. Internal applicants can determine their university title by accessing the Talent Profile tile in myHR.

Cover letter and resume are required.

Employment visa sponsorship is not available for this position.

Columbia offers small-town friendliness with big city features and a high quality of life for people of all ages and interests. Founded on education and known as an ideal college town, its location also makes it an attractive spot for businesses and travelers. Located on Interstate 70 and U.S. Highway 63, Columbia is right in the middle of the state and the nation. Just a couple hours' drive from St. Louis and Kansas City, Columbia is Boone County's largest population center offering big-city culture, activities, and resources with a low cost of living. Columbia is home to a variety of restaurants and entertainment venues and hosts more than a dozen festivals each year. If you want to grow your career, continue your education, raise a family, and retire, Columbia is a good place to be!

This position is eligible for University benefits. As part of your total compensation, the University offers a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental and vision plans, retirement, paid time off, short- and long-term disability, paid parental leave, paid caregiver leave, and educational fee discounts for all four UM System campuses. For additional information on University benefits, please visit the Faculty & Staff Benefits website at https://www.umsystem.edu/departments-staff/human-resources/benefits-retirement

Equal Employment Opportunity

The University of Missouri is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

To request ADA accommodations, please call the Director of Accessibility and ADA at 573-884-7278.