Director of Human Resources, Department of Athletics, Physical Education and Recreation
Stanford’s Department of Athletics, Physical Education and Recreation (“DAPER”) is the premier intercollegiate athletics and recreation program in the country. With an unparalleled record of 138 NCAA team championships, we are the proud Home of Champions. Our success isn’t just measured in trophies; it’s reflected in the passion of our nearly 900 student-athletes competing across 36 intercollegiate varsity teams. It resonates in our unwavering support for the university’s physical education, recreation, and wellness initiatives. At Stanford, we don’t just embrace excellence; we define it. We don’t just nurture champions; we create them. Our actions are guided by the core tenets of DAPER culture, “The DAPER Way,” which are: Embrace Scholar Athleticism, Pursue and Revere Excellence, Lead with Courage, and Work Cohesively.
Job summary:
DAPER is seeking a dynamic Director of Human Resources to fulfill the scope of HR Business Partner services to assigned senior staff leaders and client groups. In this role, reporting to the Chief Human Resources Officer, you will have the opportunity to gain in-depth knowledge and engage with the operations behind a premier intercollegiate athletic organization, providing your HR expertise to influence and evolve workplace culture. The Director will serve as a deputy leader, bridging the gap between strategy and execution. This role will operationalize our performance management rollout, compensation redesign, and HRIS implementation while ensuring alignment with university initiatives. Further, this role provides essential leadership depth and specialized HR expertise across compensation, organizational development, talent management, and training. Additionally, the Director will manage our local HR staff, ensuring quality, consistency, and accountability while freeing the CHRO to focus on, advise, and deliver on executive-level priorities. This structure is aligned with peer departments/ units across Stanford, ensuring we are consistent with best practices in span of control, accountability, operational alignment, and effectiveness.
We require an organized, dedicated, and collaborative individual who excels in managing the full scope of the employee life cycle. Those who excel here bring high levels of independent, critical thinking with an excess capacity to humbly collaborate in a highly matrixed environment. Do you have proven credibility in the HR domain and the courage to reimagine your place in it? Are you ready to inspire champions? If yes, we encourage you to apply by including a cover letter and resume with your application.
This position is on-site and based at the Stanford Campus, Stanford, CA.
Essential job functions:
- Change Management: Support senior HR leadership with local and university-wide change management efforts (stakeholder analysis, measures of success, risk assessment, implementation, monitoring). Collaborate with subject matter experts as needed. Participate in developing, drafting, and implementing communications strategy.
- Compensation: Consult with managers on moderately complex and complex compensation-related matters (salary actions, bonuses, and supplemental pay, assignment of employees to job titles, including senior levels), liaising with University Human Resources (UHR) Compensation as needed. Perform a significant role in managing the area's salary planning program, partnering with managers to meet university guidelines. Assist with the development of incentive plans.
- ELR: Consult with managers and provide guidance to direct reports on moderately complex and complex employee labor relations matters (corrective action, investigations, workplace accommodations, wage/hour, layoffs, terminations). Inform more senior HR team members and work with subject matter experts on highly complex issues as needed. Educate and train managers to meet university guidelines.
- Performance Management: Perform a significant role in overseeing the annual performance appraisal process for the entire school/unit, ensuring appropriate processes are followed. Consult with managers and senior leaders on moderately complex and complex performance management matters (setting expectations and goals, regular check-ins, developing positive performance/behaviors, conducting annual reviews), consulting with subject matter experts on highly complex issues as needed. Educate and train managers and direct reports on best practices to foster strong performance and meet university guidelines.
- Talent Acquisition: Consult with managers and senior leaders on talent acquisition matters (creating job postings, determining job-specific competencies, interviewing tools & techniques, candidate selection, and onboarding), consulting with subject matter experts as needed. Educate and train managers and direct reports to foster a positive candidate experience and meet university guidelines. May participate in the development of new talent acquisition programming or revision of existing programming, providing recommendations that align with the overall organizational strategy.
- Talent Management/Workforce Planning: Support senior leadership with generating and analyzing relevant reports for insights on talent metrics within the respective school/unit.
- Talent Development: Consult with managers and senior leaders on talent development matters (aligning business goals with personal motivation & talents, promoting professional development opportunities, coaching/mentoring/networking), consulting with subject matter experts as needed. Educate and train direct reports to foster a positive professional development experience for employees seeking growth. Contribute to the development of new, local professional development initiatives for managers and employees.
- Employee Engagement: Contribute to or may lead the development of surveys and initiatives to assess and support a positive work environment for employees and managers. Lead the analysis of the resulting survey data and provide recommendations to senior leaders. Consult with more senior HR team members or subject matter experts on complex matters as needed. Educate and train managers and direct reports on creating and sustaining a positive work environment for their teams.
- HRIS/People Analytics: Provide guidance and support for complex data entry, functions, and record retention processes. Analyze and interpret reports (turnover, movement, accrual usage, etc.) to senior leaders regarding their teams and the broader organization, utilizing human resources expertise to provide analysis and recommendations. Develop custom reports upon request and consult with more senior HR team members or subject matter experts on complex matters as needed. Educate and train managers and direct reports on understanding, interpreting, and applying available reports.
- Disability and Leaves / Worker's Comp: Consult with managers and provide guidance to direct reports on moderately complex and complex disability/leave and workers’ compensation matters (eligibility, process, accommodations), consulting with subject matter experts as needed. Educate and train managers to meet the university's guidelines. Develop interim staffing plans with managers to mitigate operational concerns resulting from team member absences.
- Transactions: Oversee the accuracy of entries and approve submissions from direct reports. Process complex transactions as needed on a case-by-case basis.
- Maintain consistency with and support UHR and Stanford policies, procedures, and requirements, and applicable laws.
- Facilitate initiatives to foster an inclusive workplace culture where all employees feel valued, respected, and empowered.
To be successful in this role, you will bring:
- Bachelor’s Degree and 8 years of relevant human resources experience or a combination of education and relevant experience. Additionally, 3 years of people management experience are required.
- Demonstrated experience providing management support and consultation in human resources areas, including employee relations, employment and labor law, compensation, staffing and employment, equity and inclusion, training and development, performance and management coaching, and organizational development.
- Demonstrated interpersonal skills, understanding of group dynamics, and successful track record of establishing credibility and trust with a diverse client group.
- Demonstrated proficiency with business applications and human resource information systems. This includes acting as a change agent within the HR function, leading by example in adopting technology to organize work, executing projects, performing data analysis, and streamlining processes.
- Strong analytical, critical thinking, problem-solving, judgment, negotiating, influencing, and decision-making skills. Ability to maintain confidentiality, tact, and diplomacy.
- Excellent facilitation and oral and written communication skills; ability to prepare clear and concise reports and deliver formal presentations or training to employees and managers.
- Strong management skills exhibited by leading teams or business-wide projects.
- A track record of passion for HR, success in helping people and organizations excel, and the ability to create delight in service to others.
Pay Range:
The expected pay range for this position is $155,556 to $197,648 per annum.
Stanford University provides pay ranges representing its good faith estimate of what the university reasonably expects to pay for a position. The pay offered to a selected candidate will be determined based on factors such as (but not limited to) the scope and responsibilities of the position, the qualifications of the selected candidate, departmental budget availability, internal equity, geographic location, and external market pay for comparable jobs.
At Stanford University, base pay represents only one aspect of the comprehensive rewards package. The Cardinal at Work website (https://cardinalatwork.stanford.edu/benefits-rewards) provides detailed information on Stanford’s extensive range of benefits and rewards offered to employees. Specifics about the rewards package for this position may be discussed during the hiring process.
DAPER’s Integrity:
This position, along with all DAPER coaches and staff, is responsible for the integrity of Stanford’s intercollegiate athletics program and for the reputation of Stanford University. This position is responsible for ensuring that his/her/their involvement with Athletics Department activities maintains the integrity of the University’s reputation and does not negatively impact the relationship between the University and its faculty, staff, students, and alumni. Additionally, this position must comply with University policies and procedures, and ACC rules and regulations.
Work Standards:
- Interpersonal Skills: Demonstrates the ability to work well with Stanford colleagues and clients and with external organizations.
- Promote Culture of Safety: Demonstrates commitment to personal responsibility and value for safety; communicates safety concerns; uses and promotes safe behaviors based on training and lessons learned.
- Subject to and expected to comply with all applicable University policies and procedures, including but not limited to the personnel policies and other policies found in the University's Administrative Guide, http://adminguide.stanford.edu
Why Stanford is for you:
Imagine a world without search engines or social platforms. Consider lives saved through first-ever organ transplants and research to cure illnesses. Stanford University has revolutionized the way we live and enrich the world. Supporting this mission is our diverse and dedicated 17,000 staff. We seek talent driven to impact the future of our legacy. Our
culture and
unique perks empower you with:
- Freedom to grow. We offer career development programs, tuition reimbursement, or audit a course. Join a TedTalk, film screening, or listen to a renowned author or global leader speak.
- A caring culture. We provide superb retirement plans, generous time-off, and family care resources.
- A healthier you. Climb our rock wall, or choose from hundreds of health or fitness classes at our world-class exercise facilities. We also provide excellent health care benefits.
- Discovery and fun. Stroll through historic sculptures, trails, and museums.
- Enviable resources. Enjoy free commuter programs, ridesharing incentives, discounts and more!
How to Apply:
We invite you to apply for this position by clicking on the “Apply for Job” button. To be considered, please submit a cover letter and résumé along with your online application. The cover letter should briefly describe why you believe you are a good fit for this position.
Note: Visa sponsorship is not available for this position. All candidates must be eligible to work and live in the U.S.
The job duties listed are typical examples of work performed by positions in this job classification and are not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, tasks, and responsibilities. Specific duties and responsibilities may vary depending on department or program needs without changing the general nature and scope of the job or level of responsibility. Employees may also perform other duties as assigned.
Consistent with its obligations under the law, the University will provide reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with disabilities. Applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process should contact Stanford University Human Resources by submitting a contact form.
Stanford is an equal employment opportunity and affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.
