Senior Human Resources Business Partner - Human Resources Specialist

Position: Senior Human Resources Business Partner - Human Resources Specialist 2
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**** All Job Postings will close at 12:01 a.m. CT on the specified Closing Date (if designated).
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* Working Title:

** Senior Human Resources Business Partner - Human Resources Specialist 2
** Institution:
** Minnesota State University, Moorhead
** Classification

Title:

** Human Resources Specialist 2
** Bargaining Unit / Union:
** 217:
Commissioner's Plan - Confidential
** City:
** Moorhead
* * FLSA:
** Job Exempt
** Full Time / Part Time:
** Full time
** Employment Condition:
** Classified - Unlimited
** Salary Range:**$27.84 - $40.82
** Position Purpose
** The Senior HR Business Partner provides strategic human resources support across key functional areas including classification, compensation, recruitment, staffing, and employee relations. Operating with significant autonomy, the incumbent advises university leadership, manages complex HR issues, and ensures compliance with institutional policies and state and federal regulations. This role leads initiatives that align workforce strategies with organizational goals, supports inclusive hiring practices, and maintains critical compensation data.

As a liaison to internal and external stakeholders, the position contributes to long-term organizational design, talent development, and the advancement of a high-performing, equitable university workforce.
** Responsibilities
* * Classification and Compensation:

This position provides strategic leadership in classification and compensation, working closely with the Director of HR to align workforce strategies with institutional goals. The position advises managers on complex classification issues, including job design, supervisory designations, bargaining unit assignments, and confidential status. The incumbent leads classification audits and studies at the university level, evaluates new and existing positions, and represents MSUM in campus and system-level evaluation committees.

The Senior HRBP will be expected to hold appropriate delegated authority for compensation and classification at the campus  partnership with the Director of HR, the Senior HRBP develops and implements compensation strategies that ensure internal equity and market competitiveness. This includes salary placement recommendations, market-based pay analysis, and support for collective bargaining through salary equity reviews and cost projections. The role also advises on merit, progression, and out-of-class pay increases, and manages tenure and promotion salary reviews, honorarium payments, and additional compensation processes.

The Senior HRBP maintains a university-wide compensation database, ensuring consistent salary step placements, and leads key HR initiatives such as fiscal year roll processes and contract implementations. Acting as a liaison with the Minn State System Office, the role resolves classification and compensation issues and contributes to system-wide improvements in job evaluation practices, supporting data-driven decision-making at the highest levels.

Employee & Labor Relations:

Provides employee and labor relations counsel and expertise for employees, supervisors, and Administration to ensure understanding of and compliance with employment laws and regulations, University and Minnesota State system policies, and bargaining agreements and plans. Coaches and trains supervisors on their responsibilities related to talent management & performance management such as drafting letters of expectation or performance improvement plans. Conducts employment investigations into allegations of misconduct to ensure timely and fair resolution of complaints and compliance with state and federal statutes, collective bargaining agreements, and Minnesota State Board of Trustees policies and procedures.

Makes recommendations to Administration for appropriate action in all incidents that lead to disciplinary action, termination, or performance management and coaching. Research and prepare documentation on grievances as applicable. Provide expert guidance on layoff processes in alignment with applicable union contract provisions, including interpreting contract language, outlining compliant procedural options, and advising departments on the…