Workplace Strategist-Faculty Relations

Recruitment Period: 05/14/2026 - Until Filled

Status:
Full-Time, 40 hours/week

Salary Information:
Annual Minimum Salary $88,800 – Annual Maximum Salary $142,100

Hiring Rate: $42.69–$55.53

This position is an elevated HR Strategic Partner Role.

Salary is commensurate with qualifications and experience. Pro-rated based on hours/week.

Pacific Northwest University of Health Sciences (PNWU) does not sponsor employment visas. Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States at the time of hire and for the duration of their employment with PNWU. Employment eligibility will be verified in accordance with federal law.

PNWU serves rural and medically underserved communities, and a capable, engaged workforce is what makes the institution run. The Workplace Experience Strategist, Faculty Relations serves as the primary HR partner for PNWU’s faculty workforce. The role oversees the full faculty employment lifecycle, including recruitment, onboarding, classification, performance, development, recognition, and offboarding, and works to ensure consistency, equity, and sound practice across programs.

Beyond the lifecycle work, this role is expected to grow into a strategic partnership with department leaders, the Faculty Senate, and the VP of HRWE. Over time, the Strategist will take on a stronger role in workforce planning, classification and compensation practice, supervisor development, and policy design, and will be supported in developing the diagnostic judgment and strategic HR fluency needed for that work.

At PNWU, leaders are accountable for leading their people. This role strengthens that ownership by clarifying expectations, designing effective systems, and coaching supervisors through complex situations.

• Coordinate and administer faculty appointment, reappointment, and promotion processes in alignment with policy, including routing, documentation, and equity review
• Manage the end-to-end faculty search and hiring process, including job description development, posting, search committee support, offer letter generation, and onboarding coordination; equip search committees with the tools they need to hire well
• Maintain accurate faculty personnel files, appointment records, and the Faculty Information System
• Support the Provost’s review and equitable signing of new faculty contracts; develop and maintain a contract equity tracking process across programs
• Track and maintain affiliate faculty, adjunct appointments, and startup fund utilization
• Support transitions into emeritus status and other end-of-appointment processes
• Support disability accommodations and protected leave processes in partnership with benefits and leadership, ensuring consistency and compliance
• Ensure compliance with federal, Washington State, and local employment laws (e.g., FMLA, ADA, WFLA, wage and hour), escalating complex matters appropriately

• Serves as the primary HR partner for approximately 100 employees/faculty across multiple departments and programs
• Serve as a trusted advisor to faculty, Deans, and program leadership on HR policies, employment questions, and the Faculty Handbook; explain the reasoning behind decisions whenever possible
• Partner with Deans and supervisors on faculty employee relations matters, grievances, and performance concerns; coach leaders to address issues early, directly, and with respect for the people involved
• Maintain a working relationship with the Faculty Senate, attend meetings as appropriate, and serve as the HR liaison to shared governance with professionalism, clarity, and respect
• Lead or support policy development and revision related to faculty affairs, including the Faculty Startup Funds Policy, Academic Leadership Standardization, and Faculty Search and Hiring Guidelines
• Apply policies and practices equitably across programs, roles, and levels; acknowledge mistakes and correct course transparently
• Exercise independent judgement in resolving routine and moderately complex employee relations matters

• Administer the faculty credentialing process for new…