Director of Human Resources

Lake Erie College, a small, co-educational, four-year, independent liberal arts college located in Painesville, OH, 30 miles east of Cleveland, invites applications for the full-time position of director of human resources. The director oversees all human resources and employee benefits functions. This is a hands-on position.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Supervises the HR staff; oversees the training and development of HR staff and provides assistance to HR staff with their individual responsibilities, when needed.

• Oversees and manages HR's role as a strategic partner on campus.

• Oversees the orientation process for all new employees.

• Serves as the plan administrator and principal contact person for all employee benefits programs, including the 403(b) retirement plan, medical, dental and vision insurance, critical care, accident, LTD, STD and Life, and assures compliance is maintained; works with the College attorney and third party administrators when required; updates plan documents for the retirement, health and welfare plans; works with TPA and provides reports for discrimination testing.

• Identifies and researches human resources best practices, providing recommendations to the cabinet that aligns with the mission, vision and strategic plan of the College.

• Prepares reporting requirements for compliance to external agencies such as: HR portion of IPEDS, CIC annual report, Tuition Exchange annual report, ODJFS annual report, annual retirement fee disclosure, BWC and others.

• Manages all materials for COBRA, unemployment and BWC claims, with corresponding carriers.

• Works in tandem with administration and the Faculty Senate and Staff Senate representatives to collaboratively update the Employee Handbook. Reviews current legislation and compliance requirements.

• Processes worker’s compensation claims with third party administrator; prepares and submits biannual payroll report to the bureau.

• Verifies and processes LEC tuition remission applications and sends copies to all applicable parties.

• Approves new students and provides all administration and reporting requirements of the Council of Independent Colleges and The Tuition Exchange tuition reciprocity programs.

• Acts as a mediator for conflict and other personnel issues; explains and interprets the employee handbook.

• Prepares studies, analyses and reports on employee benefits and compensation as required by the President and as needed by others within the organization.

• Prepares appointment letters for new hires and position changes.

• Maintains supervisor tools folder on shared drive for LEC supervisors.

• Administers the employee exit process:  prepares exit letters, meets with exiting employees; coordinates with area supervisor, security and IT during the exit process; documents employee exit interview information, retrieves and documents exiting employee College inventory and other, as needed.

• Oversees the monthly and annual employee recognition programs; coordinates the award process with appropriate cabinet members.

• Oversees the annual employee assessment process; works collaboratively with area department heads.

• Manages and promotes employee wellness initiatives.

• Administers the bi-annual Great Colleges to Work For survey and, with the assistance of the Compensation, Benefits and Employee Satisfaction committee, disseminates information to campus for institutional improvement initiatives.

• Monitors and strives to constantly improve LEC employee culture.

• Makes recommendations and monitors the HR departmental budget.

• Coordinates the process for the authorization of non-immigrant workers; works with the attorney to secure H1B visas and Green Cards for non-citizen new hires; prepares and provides all of the necessary paperwork.

• Works with Public Relations to update the employment application process, to include website application and updates on the search process.

• Works on virtual EE training modules.

• Serves as co-chair of the LEC Compensation, Benefits and Employee Satisfaction Committee.

• Serves as a member of the president’s expanded cabinet.

• Shares Title IX responsibilities with other designated institutional personnel.

• Performs other duties as assigned by the president of the College.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree required, MBA or HR certification preferred.

• The ideal candidate will have an appreciation for and experience in educational or non-profit administration, preferably at the college level.

• Five years of experience in human resources, with payroll experience, preferred.

• Knowledge of and experience in the full range of human resource functions: compliance; benefits, including retirement; talent recruitment and management; employee relations; compensation; information systems & payroll; organizational structure; unemployment; workers’ compensation; conflict management; handling difficult personnel issues.

• Strong computer skills required, as well as experience with an HRIS/payroll system, for both administrative and reporting needs.

• Excellent organizational, communication and people skills, as well as the ability to be a team player with all staff.

• Must have a demonstrated record of project management and completion and a willingness to perform both upper level and clerical responsibilities.

• Interest in all aspects of working in a higher education environment and dedication to empowering the College by empowering its employees.

• Knowledge of IPEDS and other HR reporting tools and requirements, including governmental compliance needs.

• The ability to develop and maintain good rapport across employee groups.

• Experience in and enthusiasm for developing and supporting wellness, professional development and other employee-centered initiatives.

• Sound administrative and supervisory skills with value placed on continual growth and learning.

• Characteristics of successful individuals who have served in this position: caring; patient; empathic; big picture and detail-oriented; advocacy-oriented; persistent; flexible; curious; sense of humor; strategic partner.

• Places a high priority on confidentiality.

APPLICATION PROCESS:     Qualified candidates should submit a letter of interest, resume and three professional references either (1) via email to humanresources@lec.eduhumanresources@lec.edu, (2) online at www.lec.edu/employment-at-lec/www.lec.edu/employment-at-lec/ or (3) to Director of Human Resources Search, Lake Erie College, 391 W. Washington St., LEC Box 358, Painesville, OH 44077. Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled. Subject to a criminal background check prior to employment. Learn more at https://www.lec.edu/employment-at-lec/https://www.lec.edu/employment-at-lec/. EOE