Senior Human Resources Generalist

• Job Type: Officer of Administration
• Regular/Temporary: Regular
• Hours Per Week: 35
• Building: Studebaker Building
• Salary Range: $115,000 - $125,000

Position Summary

Columbia University's Mortimer B. Zuckerman Mind Brain Behavior Institute brings together world-class scientists across academic disciplines conducting pioneering research to transform our understanding of how the brain works – and gives rise to mind and behavior. The Institute fosters a collaborative and inclusive environment across 50+ labs, advancing insights into human health by exploring how the brain develops, performs, endures and recovers.

At the Zuckerman Institute, we are committed to becoming a more inclusive, equitable and diverse place of scientific discovery and support a culture of respect. Promoting diversity in science will help drive the transformative science that can change the world.

Situated in the Jerome L. Greene Science Center on Columbia’s Manhattanville campus, the state-of-the-art building offers an environment where the highest level of scholarly scientific research takes place on a daily basis, with the benefit of being located in the heart of New York, one of the world’s most vibrant and culturally rich cities.

Reporting to the Executive Director, this position assumes a leadership role supporting a portfolio of labs and will be dedicated to providing strategy and support to new and/or junior faculty PIs. The Senior HR Generalist will be responsible for providing comprehensive Human Resources services needed by these labs in the areas of academic affairs, appointments, reappointments, talent management and assisting the Executive Director in the delivery of all Human Resources functions with these stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Responsible for overseeing strategic HR activities within a portfolio of labs providing timely delivery of Human Resources activities and support for new and junior faculty. Collaborate with ZI HR academic affairs colleagues in the areas of appointments, reappointments, and tech hiring. Support the Exec Dir in employee relations matters as needed. Work with coordinator and generalist within ZI HR for Peoplesoft transaction implementation and payroll activities.
• Ensure job descriptions, compensation planning, reclassifications, and recruiting meet the needs of a portfolio of assigned labs. Oversee PAC functions including payroll analysis and timely hiring, onboarding, and appointment processing. Liaison as needed with Central HR and the Provost Office.
• Manage Leave of Absence process for the assigned portfolio of labs; assume the lead in this process for all of ZI as needed; liaison with the university leave management office. Provide a supportive role to employees while ensuring accurate information is communicated clearly in writing and in meetings.
• Manage compensation activities within these labs, advise, interpret, and communicate HR policies and best practices in support of the stakeholders’ goals.
• Provide similar leadership and senior generalist guidance to all labs as needed; cross-train in the areas of postdoctoral researcher new appointments and reappointments across all labs, including visa and appointment complex analysis.
• Support the Executive Director with officer of research compensation reviews for provost exception submissions; assist with additional compensation processing; ensure compliance with university policies and procedures. Participate in year-end eComp and fiscal year turnover processes. Support interdisciplinary faculty appointments.
• Provide collaborative training and communications with lab managers supporting their needs as frontline lab staff; regularly meet with stakeholders providing high-touch customer services; provide technical guidance, consulting, and problem resolution for HR-related matters.
• Support enterprise operations direction within ZI HR capturing processes; use Salesforce and Asana technology tools.
• Other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree required. General ability to work in Microsoft Office Suite with keen and proven attention to detail, especially working with salary/compensation/numbers.
• Must have at least 5 – 7 years of experience in a related area; must be able to work independently; demonstrated strong analytical and problem-solving skills required. Must have the judgment, temperament, and desire to provide high-touch customer service and be able to collaborate effectively with all levels of stakeholders.
• Collaborative work style, high EQ, and a friendly, kind teamwork spirit is necessary to succeed in this role.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s Degree highly preferred.
• Familiarity with higher education, academic affairs, and faculty appointments is highly desirable. Experience with Salesforce and Asana is a plus.

Equal Opportunity Employer / Disability / Veteran

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