Senior HR Specialist (Hybrid) - Human Resources

About the role

• Location
• ST. LOUIS, MO 63130
• Scheduled Hours
• 37.5

Position Summary

Serves as collaborative partner between the assigned Department and Human Resources (HR) to provide guidance and direction regarding University HR policies, values, benefits, compensation and applicable employment laws/regulations. Works on a consultative basis with unit leadership to improve upon HR practices to set unit up for success.

Collaborates with hiring managers and advises based on current HR best practices, partnering with the Employee Relations team on more complex or escalated matters as needed. Serves as the unit's primary liaison to the Office for International Students and Scholars (OISS) on visa and international employment matters, and manages first-level review, approval, auditing, and reporting of HR transactions for the assigned unit.

Primary Duties & Responsibilities

HR Operations, Transactions & Reporting

• Serves as the department's primary liaison to the Office for International Students and Scholars (OISS), coordinating and tracking visa-related documentation and requests for international faculty, staff, and scholars.
• Monitors HR service tickets/cases for the unit through to resolution, ensuring timely follow-up and completion.
• Serves as a first-level approver for HR transactions in Workday, reviewing for accuracy, completeness, and policy compliance before routing for further approval.
• Audits HR transactions and personnel data on a regular basis to ensure accuracy and compliance with university policy.
• Runs and distributes recurring HR reports for unit and department leadership.
• Monitors HR dashboards and metrics for the unit, flagging trends or issues for follow-up.

Collaboration with the HR Centers of Expertise (COE)

• Works in close collaboration with HR COEs' to effectively and efficiently utilize the capabilities of the central HR organization.
• Proactively partners with unit leadership to provide guidance and direction to the department managers regarding HR policies, values, benefits, compensation and applicable employment laws/regulations and policies.
• Facilitates key HR initiatives that support departmental organizational vision.

Support of the Assigned Unit

• Elevates complex Employee Relations matters to the Senior HRBP so they can partner with Employee Relations, providing unit-level context and coordination to support timely resolution. May be asked to assist with departmental investigations on a limited basis.
• Shares existing manager training resources and communicates management best practice guidance to unit leadership as needed.
• Supports the performance improvement process, including guidance on documentation and process.
• Defines and implements quality performance management process and attains successful outcomes demonstrated by a high performing workforce.
• Assists with the development and implementation of succession planning across the Department.
• Partners with department and Compensation to provide equity and market evaluations. Updates and evaluates job descriptions. Helps perform job evaluations and maintain overall department organizational structure. Works with Compensation in determining the potential need for creating new job descriptions when existing job descriptions do not meet the department needs.
• Provides the department with advice and reporting on leaves and leave management and return to work best practices as necessary.

Staffing and Sourcing

• Partners with Talent Acquisition to develop and execute sourcing strategies for exempt and non-exempt hiring.
• Assists with applicant screening and sourcing as necessary.
• Oversees the on-boarding and off-boarding experience for staff, students, contingent workers, postdoctoral associates/scholars, and contract labor within the unit.
• Assists with the pre-boarding process for faculty, adjuncts, students and temporary staff.

Job Location/Working Conditions

• Normal office environment.

Physical Effort

• Typically sitting at desk or table.
• Repetitive wrist, hand or finger movement.
• Ability to move to on and off-campus locations.

Equipment

• Office equipment.

Additional information

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all job duties performed by the personnel so classified. Management reserves the right to revise or amend duties at any time.

Required Qualifications

Education

Bachelor's degree or combination of education and/or experience may substitute for minimum education.

Certifications /Professional Licenses

• No specific certification/professional license is required for this position.
• Work Experience: Human Resources (5 Years)

Skills: Not Applicable

Driver's License: A driver's license is not required for this position.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's Degree in Business Administration, Labor Relations, or Human Resources Management.
• Relevant industry-based HR experience.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in HR, business, or a related field or equivalent years of professional experience.

Preferred Qualifications

Education: Master's degree

Certifications /Professional Licenses

• Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR) - Society for Human Resource Management
• Work Experience: Human Resources, Recruitment, Or Related (10 Years)

Skills

Client Counseling, Collaborative Project Management, Communication, Confidential Data Handling, Confidentiality, Effective Written Communication, Ensure Compliance, Executive Communications, Federal Labor Law, Group Problem Solving, Human Resource Management, Human Resources Best Practices, Human Resources Policies, Human Resources Processes, Key Performance Indicators (KPI), Labor and Employment Law, Leadership, Learning Quickly, Management Trainings, Oral Communications, Organizational Planning, Policy Compliance, Recruitment Support, Talent Management

• Grade
• G13

Salary Range $65,900.00 - $112,700.00 / Annually

The salary range reflects base salaries paid for positions in a given job grade across the University. Individual rates within the range will be determined by factors including one's qualifications and performance, equity with others in the department, market rates for positions within the same grade and department budget.

Questions

For frequently asked questions about the application process, please refer to our External Applicant FAQ.

Accommodation

If you are unable to use our online application system and would like an accommodation, please email or call the dedicated accommodation inquiry number at and leave a voicemail with the nature of your request.

Pre-Employment Screening

All external candidates receiving an offer for employment will be required to submit to pre-employment screening for this position. The screenings will include criminal background check and, as applicable for the position, other background checks, drug screen, an employment and education or licensure/certification verification, physical examination, certain vaccinations and/or governmental registry checks. All offers are contingent upon successful completion of required screening.

Benefits Statement

Personal

• Up to 22 days of vacation, 10 recognized holidays, and sick time.
• Competitive health insurance packages with priority appointments and lower copays/coinsurance.
• Take advantage of our free Metro transit U-Pass for eligible employees.
• WashU provides eligible employees with a defined contribution (403(b)) Retirement Savings Plan, which combines employee contributions and university contributions starting at 7%.

Wellness

• Wellness challenges, annual health screenings, mental health resources, mindfulness programs and courses, employee assistance program (EAP), financial resources, access to dietitians, and more!

Family

• We offer 4 weeks of caregiver leave to bond with your new child. Family care resources are also available for your continued childcare needs. Need adult care? We've got you covered.
• WashU covers the cost of tuition for you and your family, including dependent undergraduate-level college tuition up to 100% at WashU and 40% elsewhere after seven years with us.