Director, HR Systems & Operations

Davidson College seeks a Director, HR Systems & Operations

Click here to view position profile: https://summitsearchsolutions.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Davidson_Dir_HRSO_Profile.pdf

Location: Davidson, North Carolina

The Position

The Director of Human Resources Systems & Operations (HRSO) will lead the evolution, stabilization, and strategic optimization of the College’s HR technology ecosystem, centered on Oracle Fusion HCM. This opportunity is ideal for a leader who is passionate about improving modern frameworks and transforming them into sleek, user-friendly digital experiences. While reporting to the Chief Human Resources Officer, the Director will serve as the technical bridge between end users and systems, ensuring technology solutions are effective, accessible, and aligned with institutional needs while driving continuous improvement across the HR technology landscape. Supervising a Business Analyst and leading across institutional functions, the Director will have the opportunity to actively coach, motivate, and elevate team members and system users.

Key Responsibilities:

• Be the Strategic Catalyst & Change Agent. Drive transformation by championing ongoing user utilization and robust change management strategies. Minimize user friction, maximize adoption, and foster a campus-wide culture of continuous innovation.
• Orchestrate System Excellence. Lead daily operations, configurations, integrations, and extensions for Oracle Fusion HCM. Partner with tech and finance stakeholders to coordinate flawless application upgrades, migrations, and patches, keeping the tech stack operating like a finely tuned machine.
• Architect the AI Future. Partner with the CHRO to evaluate, prioritize, and deploy AI-driven HR technologies, including generative AI efficiencies, intelligent chatbots for inquiries, and predictive analytics for smart talent planning.
• Guard Data Integrity & Security. Serve as the custodian of HR data governance and integrity. Coordinate traditional and modern integration solutions, validate system configurations, and ensure top-tier information security compliance for sensitive personally identifiable information.
• Bridge & Collaborate. Connect and participate actively in critical campus working groups, including the Campus IT Partners program, Technical Operations Team, and external networks.
• Champion Adoption & Training. Team up with HR, Learning & Development to deliver modern documentation and engaging training, ensuring the entire community transitions effortlessly through updates of system features.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, Information Systems, Human Resources, or a closely related field.
• Progressive leadership experience working with ERP/HCM systems in a human resources environment, including implementation, integration, cloud service delivery, and training.
• Strong problem-solving and analytical skills, with the ability to diagnose issues, identify root causes, recommend practical solutions, and improve workflows for both technical and non-technical users.
• Supervisory experience with a track record of hiring, mentoring, and developing talent, along with the ability to lead through influence.
• Demonstrated ability to serve as a translator between HR, IT, and end users, with the capacity to understand operational needs, define clear technical requirements, and communicate system capabilities and constraints in accessible language.
• Working knowledge of human resources operations, employment and labor law requirements, compliance structures, and mandatory reporting obligations including areas such as ACA/Form 1095C, ERISA, COBRA, FLSA, FMLA, and IPEDS.
• Proficiency navigating and consuming REST API endpoints, managing data feeds, and working with tools like SQL, SSRS, Microsoft Access, and Data Warehouses.
• Expertise in native systems reporting tools and data visualization platforms (like Power BI) to extract and interpret data for executive decision-making.
• PMP or HR certifications preferred.
• Experience with Oracle Fusion HCM or SaaS cloud preferred.

Core Competencies:

• A bridge builder. Must be flexible in nature, have a passion for customer service, is adaptable, has a growth mindset and open to change.
• Proven track record and desire to continue to innovate and modernize current technology systems, methods, processes and user experiences.
• Exceptional verbal and written communication skills to articulate technical workflows to non-technical users.
• A culture champion. A positive attitude, balanced temperament, open and collaborative style, and a great sense of humor to match a cohesive, mission-driven team.
• Demonstrable attention to accuracy, quality assurance, and a protective mindset toward confidential data.

Why Consider the Opportunity?

• An impactful role. This is a true HRSO leadership role; not a maintenance position. Davidson is seeking a strategic, technically fluent leader to stabilize, optimize, and advance its HR technology ecosystem, with Oracle Fusion HCM at the center of the work.
• A visible and influential Director. The Director sits at the intersection of human resources, finance, and information technology giving them a meaningful platform to shape systems, workflows, data practices, reporting, and user experience across the college. The Director will have an opportunity to make real change.
• A strong institution. Davidson College combines prestige, stability, mission, and resources in a way that few institutions can.
• A healthy workplace culture. The Davidson College community is known for being close-knit with strong collegial relationships and a culture that is collaborative rather than highly bureaucratic.
• A compelling location. The town of Davidson offers a walkable college-town atmosphere with proximity to Charlotte and its many amenities.

Application Information

A confidential review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position has been filled. For full consideration, individuals are encouraged to apply by August 3, 2026. Please submit a PDF version of your letter of application outlining your interest/suitability for this position and your CV/Resume. Refer to our blog on strengthening application materials and letters of interest here.

Please note that Davidson College offers a competitive benefits package to support the long-term health, financial security, and ongoing well-being of faculty and staff.

For more information or to make recommendations or nominations:

Andrea Martinez, MEd

Senior Consultant

Summit Search Solutions, Inc.

919.357.8766

amartinez@summitsearchsolutions.com

Davidson College expressly prohibits any form of discrimination or harassment based on race, color, national or ethnic origin (including shared ancestry or ethnic characteristics; or citizenship or residency in a country with a dominant religion or distinct religious identity), ethnicity, religion, age, sex (which includes pregnancy and related medical conditions), gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, genetic information, veteran status, military status, or any other status protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.