Human Resources Manager

• Job Type: Officer of Administration
• Regular/Temporary: Regular
• End Date if Temporary:
• Hours Per Week: 35
• Salary Range: $80,000 - $85,000

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Position Summary

Reporting to the Director of Human Resources, the Human Resources Manager is responsible for the day-to-day management and administration of faculty and staff appointments, payroll updates, leave requests, and employee lifecycle processes for faculty, staff, student workers, and short-term casual employees in the School of the Arts (SOA). The HR Manager provides guidance on University HR, payroll, and compliance policies, ensures accurate and timely processing of appointments and payroll, and acts as a key operational partner to academic and administrative leadership. The HR Manager serves as deputy for HR and payroll matters in the absence of the Director and supervises the Payroll Coordinator.

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Responsibilities

Faculty Appointments & Academic Personnel Administration

• Administer faculty appointment, reappointment, and employment processes for approximately 85 full-time faculty and over 300 adjunct faculty annually.
• Prepare and issue faculty appointment and employment letters in coordination with the HR Director, SOA Deans, and the Office of EVP Arts & Sciences.
• Coordinate faculty HR onboarding to ensure timely processing of appointment documentation; provide primary guidance on University HR, payroll, and benefits policies and procedures.
• Partner with SOA Office of Communications to compile faculty status updates and bios for website publication.

Compliance & Policy Administration

• Ensure compliance with University, state, and federal employment requirements, including I-9 processing, visa timelines, and required trainings.
• In consultation with the Director, coordinate faculty visa application processes and liaise with the International Students and Scholars Office (ISSO).
• Interpret and apply HR and payroll policies and respond to complex employee inquiries.
• Ensure continuity of HR and payroll operations in the absence of the Director.

General Payroll & Compensation Administration

• Manage payroll paperwork processing for faculty and staff in collaboration with the Payroll Coordinator.
• Serve as Deputy Time Administrator (DTA) in the Time & Labor Absence Management (TLAM) system; ensure accurate staff timekeeping and leave accrual tracking, advise on absence submissions, and review or update system delegations as needed.
• Resolve payroll discrepancies and conduct quarterly payroll reconciliations; submit inquiries and requests in ServiceNow.
• Assist with annual compensation processes, including e-Comp submissions and salary letter preparation and distribution.
• Prepare payroll reports to support planning and leadership decision-making.

Leave Request Administration

• In partnership with Director, maintain accurate faculty and staff leave records and submit faculty leave requests to the Office of the EVP Arts & Sciences; submit leave confirmation paperwork to update payroll system.
• Partner with Director and Leave Management Office to monitor staff leave approvals and documentation; prepare and issue FMLA forms along with timely leave request correspondence.
• Communicate with insurance contacts as needed to support claims processing.
• Advise employees on leave and workplace accommodation policies and procedures in consultation with the Director.

Student & Short-Term Casual Payroll Administration

• Manage the payroll onboarding process for approximately 400 MFA and MA students hired annually as student casual employees.
• Act as first-level approver for student worker and short-term casual hiring and payroll transactions in PeopleSoft (PAC).
• With support from Payroll Coordinator, monitor high-volume bi-weekly timesheet processing and payroll submissions in TLAM; in DTA capacity, provide ongoing review for timesheet entries and follow-up with managers as needed.
• Coordinate with senior program staff across departments to manage student job postings, hiring workflows, and service position allocations.
• Support the centralization of student job postings and application processes within the SoA Business Office; work closely with Financial Aid Office regarding allocation reviews and updates.
• Serve as escalation point of contact for complex student payroll issues.

Administrative Staff Recruitment & Employee Lifecycle Management

• Manage recruitment, appointment, status change, and termination processes for officers of administration and support staff.
• Submit job descriptions and requisitions for Central HR approval in TalentLink; post positions on internal and external job boards.
• Participate in recruitment activities as needed, including resume review, candidate pre-screening, and coordination with hiring managers.
• Initiate background checks and monitor pre-employment requirements to ensure a smooth onboarding experience.
• Support probationary period reviews and employee lifecycle processes, including communicating and tracking offboarding procedures for departing staff.
• Assist the Director with the administration and tracking of annual performance evaluations.

HR Systems, Data & Reporting

• Administer HR system operations using University systems (PeopleSoft, ARC, DIA, TalentLink) and related platforms to ensure accuracy and data integrity.
• Produce routine and ad hoc HR and payroll reports for compliance and planning purposes.
• Act as a primary point of contact for employee and supervisor inquiries regarding HR and payroll policies, procedures, and systems.
• Maintain and update organizational charts and HR documentation.
• Manage SOA all-staff and all-faculty listservs to ensure accuracy and support effective HR communications.
• Partner with Central HR, EVP Arts & Sciences, Finance, and other stakeholders to ensure consistent and compliant HR operations.

Performs related duties & responsibilities as assigned/required.

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Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent in Human Resources or a related field.

• Minimum of 3-5 years of progressively responsible experience in human resources, payroll, or academic administration.

• Ability to handle confidential information with exceptional judgment and discretion.

• Excellent interpersonal and communications skills with a strong customer service orientation required, including the ability to provide guidance to diverse populations of faculty, staff and students.

• Demonstrated ability to set priorities, handle multiple (often ad hoc) assignments and work with diplomacy and efficiency in a fast-paced and changing environment.

• Experience interpreting and applying HR policies and compliance regulations.

• Demonstrated ability as a self-starter able to work independently with minimal supervision and as a member of a team-based office.

• Strong proficiency in Excel, Microsoft Office Suite, and database systems.

• Must have, or be able to acquire quickly, a detailed knowledge of University policies, procedures, and systems.

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Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with the ARC Peoplesoft system highly desirable.

• Familiarity with HRIS and payroll systems preferred.

• Experience in higher education or a complex organizational environment a plus.

• Previous supervisory experience preferred.

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Other Requirements

All applicants must attach a cover letter and resume. Applications without these two documents will not be considered.

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Equal Opportunity Employer / Disability / Veteran

Columbia University is committed to the hiring of qualified local residents.