Organization Summary: 

The American Council on Education (ACE) is the major coordinating body for the nation's colleges and universities. ACE is a membership organization that mobilizes the higher education community to shape effective public policy and foster innovative, high-quality practices. With a diverse base of member institutions, ACE represents nearly 1,700 college and university presidents and executives, serving as the only major higher education association to represent all types of U.S. accredited, degree-granting institutions. ACE's mission includes serving 280 minority serving institutions, 25,000 higher education professionals, and 7.7 million students enrolled in colleges and universities. ACE membership extends to all 50 states, Washington DC, Puerto Rico, Guam, and 21 other countries.

Position Summary: 

The People Team at ACE is currently seeking a dynamic and professional Senior Director to join their ranks. This role will encompass various aspects of human resources, with a primary focus on talent management and the full employee life cycle, including selection and recruiting, learning and development, policy and compliance, employee engagement and retention, performance management, and organizational development. The position will report to the Chief People and Culture Officer with at least one direct report.

Essential Job Duties or Tasks:

The Senior Director, People Team will oversee and coordinate the human resources function within ACE, encompassing the entire employee life cycle, including talent management, policy development and implementation, transformational change management, organizational capability building, business partnering, and leadership responsibilities.

Talent Management

• Ensure appropriate sourcing, selection and recruiting practices for all ACE positions.
• Uphold engagement and retention efforts through learning and organizational development.

Policy Development & Risk Management Implementation

• Develop functional or operational policies and frameworks for the assigned area, including procedures, and ensure their successful implementation.
• Ensure compliance with all applicable labor laws, regulations, and internal policies, and mitigate HR-related risks.
• Help manage employee relations issues, including performance improvement plans and separations.

Transformational Change Management

• Manage projects or significant workstreams as part of a transformational change program, ensuring integration with related projects.
• Utilize structured change management methodologies to foster acceptance of change and instill desired culture and behaviors.

Organizational Capability Building

• Leverage ACE's formal development framework to identify individual development needs within the team.
• Plan and execute actions to enhance professional capabilities, including participation in programs such as the Manager to Leader Success Program, Performance Management, Skillsoft/Percipio Training, and Leadership Excellence Program.

Business Partnering and Leadership Responsibilities

• Collaborate closely with department leaders and stakeholders to understand their needs, address concerns, and provide guidance on people-related matters.
• Demonstrate leadership vertically and laterally, collaborating with the executives and employees.
• Work closely with the Chief People and Culture Officer and supervise assigned staff.

Data Analytics

• Utilize HR data and analytics to assess trends, identify areas for improvement, and make data-driven recommendations for optimizing people related programs and processes.

HR Operations

• Oversee all HR operations, including recruitment, talent management, performance evaluation, compensation, benefits administration, employee relations, and compliance with relevant labor laws and regulations.

Education/Experience/Specialized Knowledge and Competency Requirements:

Required Qualifications:

Education:

• Bachelor's degree.

Experience:

• General Experience: 10 to 15 years of extensive experience demonstrating expert HR competence.
• Managerial Experience: Experience managing projects, programs, and people.
• Technical Experience: Expertise with HRIS, ATS, survey software, SharePoint, MS Forms, Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Teams, and OneDrive.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master's degree.
• Experience in a higher education or association environment.
• PHR/SPHR or SHRM-CP/SHRM-SCP.
• Certified Diversity Recruiter preferred.
• Technical Experience: Expertise in in Skillsoft/Percipio, UKGPro, AdobeSign and Qualtrics.

Working Conditions/Physical Effort:
This position is open to a hybrid or in-person work schedule.

**Please submit a resume and cover letter for consideration.**

We require the selected candidate to live within a 100-mile radius of our building, located at One Dupont Circle NW, Washington, DC 20036.

The American Council on Education is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, marital status, personal appearance, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, family responsibilities, political affiliation, disability, matriculation, familial status, genetic information, source of income, place of residence or business, status as a victim of an intra-family offense, credit information, protected veteran status, status as a victim or family member of a victim of domestic violence, a sexual offense, or stalking.

Job Summary