Senior People Strategy and Business Partner at Rice University in Houston, Texas

Job Description:

Special Instructions to Applicants : All interested applicants should attach a resume in the Supporting Documents section of the application. A cover letter is optional but welcomed. We suggest the documents be in a PDF format to avoid formatting issues.

About Rice

Boasting a 300-acre tree-lined campus in Houston, Texas, Rice University is ranked among the nation's top 20 universities by U.S. News & World Report. Rice has a 6-to-1 undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio, and a residential college system, which supports students intellectually, emotionally and culturally through social events, intramural sports, student plays, lectures series, courses and student government. Developing close-knit, diverse college communities is a strong campus tradition, which is why Rice is highly ranked for best quality of life and best value among private universities.

Rice is also a wonderful place to work. Rice faculty, staff, and students share values that are essential to our success as a healthy community. Those values guide our decisions and behaviors and shape Rice's culture. They come through in how we treat each other and the welcome we extend to our visitors. These values can be recalled simply by our name - RICE - Responsibility, Integrity, Community and Excellence.

Position Summary

The Senior People Strategy and Business Partner for the Facilities & Capital Planning and the Rice Real Estate Company at Rice University provides strategic human resources consultation and support to multiple business units within the division. This position is a resource for HR policies, procedures, and practices. This role is instrumental in defining and executing HR strategies that align with the division's objectives and Rice University's strategic goals and culture. The position requires substantial independent judgment, high levels of initiative, and critical thinking, and operates with minimal supervision.

The ideal candidate should thoroughly understand HR management principles, including employment, compensation, classification, employee relations, benefits, and workers' compensation. This dynamic and influential position offers the opportunity to significantly enhance the success and efficiency of the Facilities & Capital Planning and Real Estate Company departments. We are looking for a proactive, strategic, and detail-oriented HR professional who excels in a complex, fast-paced environment and is dedicated to fostering an inclusive and productive workplace aligned with the university's mission and values.

This position is a hybrid role, combining both in-office and remote work to provide flexibility and support collaboration. Per Rice policy 440 , work arrangements may be subject to change.

This is a full-time, benefits-eligible position, and the salary is contingent on experience and qualifications. *Exempt (salaried) positions under FLSA are not eligible for overtime.

Minimum Requirements

• 
  Bachelor's degree
  
  
  • In lieu of the education requirement, additional related experience above and beyond what is required may be substituted on an equivalent year-for-year basis.
  
  
• 
  Four or more years of progressively responsible experience in human resources or related fields
  
  
  • In lieu of the experience requirement, additional related education, above and beyond what is required, may be substituted on an equivalent year-for-year basis
  
  
• 
  Skills:
  
  
  • Proficiency in oral and written communication, conducting interviews, utilizing HR software, handling multiple tasks, prioritizing, and problem-solving.
  • Ability to maintain confidentiality, develop and analyze HR processes, and establish effective working relationships with various stakeholders.
  • Strong critical thinking skills and the ability to manage multiple assignments effectively
  • High level of customer service and follow-through capabilities
  • Excellent interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to cultivate professional and business partnerships
  • Ability to engage and support a diverse workforce from different cultural and national backgrounds promoting inclusivity
  
  

Preferences

• Bachelor's degree or higher in Human Resources, Organizational Development, Business Administration, or a related field.
• Six or more years of progressively responsible experience in human resources
• SHRM-CP, SHRM-SCP, PHR, SPHR certification
• Experience in higher education HR practices

Essential Functions

• Provides advanced people consultation and advisory services to the Real Estate and Facilities & Capital Planning leadership in talent development, organizational strategy, and management HR strategy
• Guides the interpretation and application of university HR policies and procedures
• Partners with Real Estate and the Facilities & Capital Planning leaders and staff to resolve complex employee issues through feedback, coaching, conflict resolution, and disciplinary actions as necessary.
• Creates and implements plans to enhance workplace culture, focusing on team building, capacity-building, and group dynamics within departments and across the division
• Proactively develops and implements effective people strategies in partnership with organizational leaders to align with university objectives
• Oversees division HR transactions to ensure proper authorizations and policy compliance while securing necessary documentation
• Streamlines division HR processes and submission requirements to minimize administrative burdens and enhance operational efficiency
• Manages complex and sensitive people issues using analytical skills, creative problem-solving, and confidentiality while exercising sound judgment and discretion
• Advances organizational change and development, promotes ethical workplace practices and supports the continuous improvement of HR functions
• Serves as an internal consultant, assessing and analyzing HR issues and coaching to improve resolutions and employee relations
• Represents Real Estate and Facilities & Capital Planning in university-wide and division-level committees, projects, and initiatives
• Partners with central HR functions, fostering a high-performance culture emphasizing collaboration, development, and innovation
• Celebrates employees' contributions to the University through various recognition programs
• Provides coaching, mentorship, and professional development opportunities to direct reports, ensuring their growth and success in their roles
• Sets clear performance expectations, regularly evaluate progress, and offers constructive feedback to drive continuous improvement within the HR team
• Aligns team goals with broader institutional objectives, ensuring the teams are positioned to contribute effectively to the University's mission and strategic priorities
• Performs all other duties as assigned.

Workplace Conditions

• Must be willing and able to travel to various locations on the Rice University campus and the associated Real Estate properties located nearby the Rice campus.

Rice University HR | Benefits: https://knowledgecafe.rice.edu/benefits

Rice Mission and Values: Mission and Values | Rice University

Rice University is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to diversity at all levels and considers for employment qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, genetic information, disability, or protected veteran status.

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