Senior Human Resources and Workplace Experience Strategist

Senior Human Resources and Workplace Experience Strategist provides senior-level HR guidance across employee relations, payroll administration support, and HRIS operations for the full PNWU workforce.

Responsibilities

• Serve as a trusted HR advisor to supervisors, program leaders, and Deans on employee relations matters for both staff and faculty.
• Advise on and support performance concerns, coaching conversations, corrective action, and workplace conduct issues.
• Support workplace investigations, grievances, and complaint resolution under HRWE leadership direction.
• Coach leaders to address performance and conduct issues early, directly, and with respect for the people involved.
• Partner with supervisors to document performance improvement plans and support consistent, equitable application of expectations.
• Advise on separations, involuntary transitions, and related employee relations matters; use independent judgment for routine and moderately complex matters.
• Escalate complex, high-risk, or novel employee relations matters to the VP of HRWE as appropriate.
• Administer bi-weekly payroll change processes including new hires, terminations, compensation changes, and status changes.
• Act as the HR–Payroll bridge to align HRIS and payroll data and ensure consistent handling of personnel actions.
• Support accurate and compliant payroll processing in partnership with Payroll and Finance.
• Support payroll compliance with federal and Washington State wage and hour law, tax withholding, and deduction requirements.
• Support year-end payroll processes including W-2 preparation and ACA reporting.
• Reconcile payroll data with HRIS records; investigate and resolve discrepancies with attention to detail and follow-through.
• Support internal and external payroll audits through data accuracy, documentation, and timely responses.
• Serve as HRIS subject matter expert and system administrator for Human Resources and Workplace Experience.
• Maintain accuracy, security, and integrity of employee data and personnel records within the HRIS.
• Configure and maintain HRIS workflows, security roles, and reporting infrastructure to support HR operations.
• Build and deliver workforce reports supporting decision-making, compliance, and audit response.
• Support HRIS integrations with payroll, benefits, and other institutional systems.
• Serve as a resource for staff and supervisors on HRIS use, self-service, and data access.
• Coordinate and administer hiring, onboarding, and offboarding processes for staff and faculty.
• Support search committees and hiring managers through job description development, posting, and offer letter generation.
• Manage administration and lifecycle of employment contracts, appointments, and personnel action documentation.
• Coordinate internal movements including transfers, promotions, and reclassifications with attention to equity and consistency.
• Ensure timely and compliant responses to employment verifications and reference requests.
• Serve as a point of contact for the [email protected] inbox, routing inquiries appropriately and responding with clarity and respect.
• Administer faculty credentialing for new hires and periodic review on the appropriate reappointment cycle.
• Maintain credentialing documentation required for program accreditation; plan ahead for accreditation cycles rather than responding at the last minute.
• Support routing, documentation, and administrative execution of faculty appointment, reappointment, and promotion processes.
• Support transitions into emeritus status and other end-of-appointment processes.
• Track affiliate faculty, adjunct appointments, and startup fund utilization.
• Ensure compliance with federal, Washington State, and local employment law including FMLA, ADA, WFLA, wage and hour, EPOA salary disclosure, and EEO requirements.
• Support disability accommodations and protected leave processes in partnership with benefits and leadership to ensure consistency and compliance.
• Provide expert guidance on university policies, the Staff Handbook, the Faculty Handbook, and related HR practices, including explaining reasoning behind decisions whenever possible.
• Support policy development and revision with the VP of HRWE; apply policies and practices equitably across roles, departments, and levels.
• Acknowledge mistakes and correct course transparently; escalate complex compliance matters appropriately.
• Bring initiative, ownership, and follow-through; treat small commitments with care equal to high-visibility work.
• Actively seek and apply feedback; adjust when intent and impact do not align.
• Contribute to the credibility and steadiness of the HRWE team; hold self and peers accountable with professionalism, candor, and care.
• Engage in continuous learning and professional development to sustain expertise in employee relations, payroll, HRIS, and employment law.
• Perform other related duties as assigned based on departmental need.
• Perform job duties in accordance with safety, legal, and regulatory requirements, University policy and procedures, and accepted business practices.
• Act with the highest level of professional ethical standards in all aspects of job performance in accordance with PNWU mission and values.
• Understand and adhere to accreditation standards and expectations specific to the department.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Organizational Development, or a related field.
• 4–7 years of progressively responsible HR generalist experience, with demonstrated depth in employee relations, HRIS administration, and payroll partnership or administration.
• Demonstrated experience advising and coaching supervisors on employee relations matters.
• Working knowledge of federal and Washington State employment law including FMLA, ADA, wage and hour, and EEO requirements.
• SHRM-CP or PHR required or within one year of hire; SHRM-SCP or SPHR strongly encouraged as part of continued professional development.

Preferred

• Master’s Degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related field; SHRM-SCP or SPHR.
• Experience in higher education, healthcare, or another mission-driven environment.
• Experience supporting workplace investigations, grievance processes, or progressive discipline.
• Experience with faculty affairs operations, credentialing, or accreditation documentation.
• Experience partnering across HR and Payroll functions in an integrated or shared services model.

Benefits

• Health Benefits: Medical, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance
• Paid Time Off
• 403b with Roth Option
• Paid Holidays

Salary & Status

• Location: Yakima, WA (onsite)
• Status: Full-Time, 40 hours/week
• Salary: USD 77,200 - 123,500 per year
• Hiring rate: $37.12 - $48.27
• Salary commensurate with qualifications and experience; pro-rated based on hours/week

Recruitment Period

• 08/12/2026 - Until Filled

Work Authorization

• 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 employment.
• Employment eligibility will be verified in accordance with federal law.

To Ensure Full Consideration, Submit

• A letter of introduction outlining background and qualifications for the position
• Detailed resume
• Contact information for three professional references

Additional Information

• Comprehensive benefits package for eligible employees first of the month following date of hire and competitive salary.
• Benefit eligible is at least .5 FTE.
• PNWU is a drug-free workplace and an equal opportunity employer and educational institution.
• To request this publication in an alternative format, or to apply in an alternative format, call Human Resources at 509.452.5100.