HR Associate

About the Job

The HR Associate provides professional HR operations, compliance, and systems support across the employee lifecycle. Working under general supervision, this position serves as a first-line resource for staff HR inquiries, independently leads day-one employee onboarding for Civil Service and Labor Represented staff, audits payroll and HR records, and provides key operational support to the Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO) and HR leadership.

This role applies HR knowledge and established policies to resolve routine issues, support talent processes, and contribute to continuous process improvements and an exceptional employee experience.

HR Operations & Administration (60%)

• Serve as the first point of contact for employee HR inquiries; evaluate incoming questions independently to interpret standard UMF and University policies, resolve routine matters directly, or elevate complex issues to HR Business Partners, UMF HR leadership, or central OHR.
• Process bi-weekly payroll and HRMS transactions, ensuring accuracy, timeliness, and compliance with University policies and employment regulations.
• Audit payroll, personnel, and leave data, utilizing knowledge of HR policies to independently investigate and resolve discrepancies.
• Administer pre-employment activities, including reference and background checks, and partner with HR leadership to evaluate and address results as appropriate.
• Independently lead day-one onboarding and orientation activities for Civil Service and Labor Represented staff, including I-9 employment eligibility verification.
• Serve as the main face of UMF HR for new hires to guide them through policies, culture, and initial setup. Assist HR leadership as needed with periodic larger orientation sessions.
• Process student employment transactions, including hires, job changes, and separations, ensuring compliance with University policies and procedures.
• Maintain confidential employee records and HR documentation in accordance with legal requirements, University policies, and established records management practices.
• Manage electronic and physical HR records through Perceptive Content, including record retention, archiving, and disposition in accordance with the University of Minnesota's records retention schedule.
• Analyze routine HR operational processes and workflows to identify inefficiencies, proposing standard operating procedure enhancements to improve compliance and service delivery.

Executive & Departmental Support (30%)

• Provide professional administrative and operational support to the Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO) and HR leadership, including calendar management, coordinating complex schedules, presentation preparation, and drafting departmental communications.
• Coordinate day-to-day administrative operations to support the effective functioning of the Human Resources department.
• Support departmental priorities, schedules, and administrative activities to ensure timely execution of key initiatives.
• Serve as a primary operational contact for departmental inquiries providing responsive, customer-focused support, and applying judgment to direct workflow and coordinate logistics for meetings, training sessions, and HR projects.
• Monitor departmental operating and travel expenses, process expense reimbursements, and ensure compliance with University and Foundation financial policies.

Talent Management System Administration (10%)

• Partner with the Director of Organizational Development and Talent Management to support annual performance management cycles, serving as a primary point of contact to guide managers and employees through the goal setting and review process.
• Support administration of the Talent Management System (Talent Connects) by maintaining system data, coordinating vendor support, and partnering with IT on system enhancements.
• Coordinate annual talent management processes, including goal setting, performance reviews, succession planning, and conflict of interest disclosures.
• Maintain learning content, system resources, and supporting documentation in collaboration with Organizational Development and Talent Management.
• Ensure records are securely stored…