Human resources - manager

Ensured Consideration Date: July 12, 2026

Michigan Technological University is an R1 technological research university founded in 1885 in Houghton. Our rural campus is situated just miles from Lake Superior in Michigan's scenic Upper Peninsula and is home to nearly 7,500 students from more than 60 countries around the world. Consistently ranked among the best universities in the country for return on investment, Michigan’s flagship technological university offers more than 185 undergraduate and graduate degree programs. Research focus areas include defense, health, energy, automotive, environment, and aerospace.

The area’s waters, forests, and snowfall support year-round recreation, including skiing, snowboarding, hiking, biking, and paddling. The University is an integral part of the region, supported by a friendly and welcoming community that takes pride in being a true college town. We embrace our size, climate, sense of adventure, and originality.

Summary

This position oversees daily human resources functions ensuring efficient processes, technology use is maximized, policy implementation within the department, and data and metrics reporting for the full employment cycle. This position bridges strategy with execution for a positive employee experience and shares oversight of the team with another HR Manager. This position is a member of the Human Resources Department leadership team. This position could be 100% remote or hybrid.

Responsibilities and Essential Duties

1. Design, implement, and monitor university human resources policies and processes ensuring adherence to labor laws and regulations.
2. Serve as a key consultant and advisor to University staff, managers, and the HR team on complex employment matters.
3. Optimize workflows in collaboration with stakeholders for all employment lifecycle activities, including recruitment, onboarding, offboarding, transfers, promotions, and separations. While maximizing the internal uses of HR systems/databases.
4. Provide oversight to the university’s position management program and review all personnel changes.
5. Co-manage and perform recruitment and staffing activities, including developing guidelines, ensuring compliance with laws and regulations, and aligning practices with University values and strategic goals.
6. Monitor and report on key performance indicators for HR service delivery and employee and customer satisfaction.
7. Recommend and implement HR transaction tracking tools and lead initiatives to boost efficiency and consistency.
8. Develop project timelines and track deliverables throughout the department.
9. Coordinate with IT on HR technology implementation and system integrations.
10. Serve as the system administrator for the Applicant Tracking System (ATS).
11. Develop and deliver effective, engaging regular and annual training to university stakeholders, and regularly review and update employment resources for managers.
12. Oversee departmental metrics and biannual reporting. Assist staff in finding areas to improve and implement solutions. Track impact of changes.
13. Foster the development of human resources staff.
14. Supervise assigned HR staff, set team goals, oversee daily activities, and foster staff development to ensure operational effectiveness and effective customer service.
15. Serve as a departmental leader providing guidance, direction, and oversight of processes to ensure adherence and assist with troubleshooting.
16. Commit to learning about continuous improvement strategies and applying them to everyday work. Actively engage in University continuous improvement initiatives.
17. Apply safety-related knowledge, skills, and practices to everyday work.

Required Education, Certifications, Licensures

• Bachelors degree in Human Resources, Business, Operations or other related field or an equivalent combination of education and experience from which comparable knowledge and abilities can be acquired.

Required Experience

• 3 yrs experience of Human Resources full life cycle employment experience.

Desirable Education and/or Experience

• Minimum of 5 yrs experience in Human Resources, with at least one year of supervision of HR staff
• Experience in leading a team effectively while remote working.
• SHRM or PHR certification preferred
• Lean Six Sigma training preferred
• Experience working in higher education Human Resources.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and/or Abilities

• Ability to lead projects and teams
• Strong understanding of process improvement.
• Excellent analytical, problem solving and communication skills
• Advanced understanding of HRIS systems and their interconnectedness.
• Strong understanding of human resources best practices.
• Strong interpersonal, relationship-building and oral/written communication skills (including electronic communications).
• Excellent time management skills.
• Demonstrated organizational skills, with particular attention to detail.
• Demonstrated ability to make administrative and procedural decisions and judgments on sensitive, confidential topics.
• Demonstrated ability to analyze complex information and to define and solve problems.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently under limited supervision.
• Demonstrated ability to work within a team.
• Demonstrated commitment to preserving documentation.
• Demonstrated commitment to contribute to a safe work environment.

Desirable Knowledge, Skills, and/or Abilities

• Demonstrated success in, or potential future contributions to, working with persons with a wide variety of backgrounds and viewpoints.

Work Environment and/or Physical Demands

WORK ENVIRONMENT: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The noise level in the work environment is usually low to moderate.

Required Training and Other Conditions of Employment

• Every employee at Michigan Technological University will receive the following training courses:
• Employee Safety Overview
• Annual Data Security Training
• Anti-Harassment, Discrimination, Retaliation Training
• Annual Title IX Training
• Additional training will be required by the department on a periodic basis.

Background Check:

Offers of employment are contingent upon and not considered finalized until the required background check has been performed and the results received and assessed.

Full-Time Equivalent (FTE) % (1=100%)

1

FLSA Status

Exempt

Appointment Term

12 months

Pay Rate/Salary

The minimum salary for this position is $70,000. The final salary will depend on experience and qualifications.

Title of Position Supervisor

Chief Human Resources Officer

Posting Type

Internal & External

Dependent on Funding

No

Additional Information

Full ensured consideration will be given to applicants who apply on or before July 12, 2026.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

If you require any auxiliary aids, services, or accommodations during Michigan Tech’s hiring process please notify the Human Resources office at 906-487-2280 or hr-help@mtu.edu.

Other Conditions of Employment:

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 the need of an employer sponsorship) on or before the effective date of your appointment, and maintain eligibility without sponsorship throughout your appointment.

Michigan Technological University is an Equal Opportunity Educational Institution/Equal Opportunity Employer that provides equal opportunity for all, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.

The Annual Security and Fire Safety Report contains current campus safety and disciplinary policies, crime statistics for the previous 3 calendar years, and on-campus student housing fire safety policies and fire statistics for the previous 3 calendar years. Michigan Tech will provide a paper copy upon request; please contact the Michigan Tech Public Safety.

In compliance with the federal Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act (DFSCA) and its implementing regulations (34 CFR Part 86), Michigan Tech is committed to maintaining a drugfree campus environment and actively promoting the health and safety of its community. Find our notice that outlines the University's policies, legal sanctions, health risks, and available support resources related to the unlawful possession, use, or distribution of illicit drugs and alcohol.