Assistant/Associate Director of Human Resources

(posted 11/6/26)

Hollins University, a private, liberal arts university in Roanoke, Virginia that is recognized as one of the oldest institutions of higher education for women in the United States, invites applications from qualified candidates for the position of Assistant/Associate Director of Human Resources.

About the Role

Reporting to the Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO), the Assistant/Associate Director of Human Resources serves as the office’s primary resource for payroll and benefits and supports the CHRO in maintaining HR compliance.

The Assistant/Associate Director owns HR payroll administration for the biweekly, monthly, and student payrolls in partnership with the Business Office; manages the full lifecycle of employee benefit programs including communications, enrollments, changes, terminations, premium submission and reconciliation, and vendor relations; and manages compliance and reporting for HR payroll and benefit requirements including multi-state remote employees.

This position also serves as the office’s system administrator for payroll and benefits technology, provides data analysis to support the CHRO on related strategies, and acts on behalf of the CHRO in their absence.

The primary work location is on campus. However, a hybrid schedule may be considered based on operational needs and after an initial on-campus period.

Specific responsibilities include the following

Payroll Administration

• Manage HR processing of the biweekly, monthly, and student payrolls including data entry, pre-processing audits, and final review prior to Business Office approval and funding
• Reconcile salaries, deductions, and federal and state tax withholdings each pay cycle
• Administer and audit personal, sick, and vacation leave accruals for all employees
• Assist with calendar year-end payroll processing including W-2 data reconciliation and adjustments and production and distribution of Affordable Care Act Forms 1094-C and 1095-C
• Coordinate payroll processes and salary changes with Academic Affairs, Athletics, and Financial Aid
• Work with the Business Office to develop and maintain documented payroll procedures, calendars, and internal controls including segregation of duties between Human Resources (data entry) and the Business Office (approval and funding)
• Serve as back-up support to complete employment verifications

Benefit Administration

• Process benefit enrollments, changes, and terminations (medical, dental, and vision insurance; flexible spending accounts; health savings accounts; life insurance; short and long-term disability; ancillary insurance; and retirement plan)
• Manage open enrollment process including communications and vendor presentations
• Complete, track, and process Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) and other leave requests
• Assist CHRO with Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) accommodation requests
• Oversee life, disability, and ancillary insurance claims
• Manage tuition waiver and tuition exchange benefits and reporting
• Oversee specific state and local benefits for remote employees
• Serve as primary liaison with plan vendors
• Analyze utilization data and recommend plan design and cost-containment options to the CHRO

Benefit Premium Billing, Reconciliation, and Submission

• Reconcile and submit health, life, disability, and ancillary insurance premiums
• Reconcile and submit retiree health insurance premiums
• Submit health savings account employee (each payroll) and employer (quarterly) contributions
• Submit retirement premiums each payroll

Compliance, Reporting, and Audits

• Produce, distribute, and post required notices for remote workers
• Produce, distribute, and post required notices for health, life, disability, and ancillary insurance coverages and retirement plan
• Manage Affordable Care Act data tracking and reporting
• Review data for life, disability, and ancillary insurance Form 5500s
• Provide data and reports as needed for health plan and retirement plan audits
• Conduct flexible spending account plan testing
• Serve as HR system administrator for ADP Workforce Now, Empyrean, and Employee Navigator
• Maintain HRIS data integrity and produce workforce, compensation, and benefits reports for university leadership, IPEDS reports, and CUPA-HR and other salary surveys
• Interpret and apply federal, state, and local regulations and recommend policy updates to the CHRO

Leadership

• Lead process improvement and technology projects, including automating processes and expanding employee self-service
• Support the Human Resources Campus Partner as needed
• Act on behalf of the CHRO in their absence as needed

Position Qualifications

Successful applicants must have the following qualifications and experience:

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience in human resources, business administration, or a related field
• Minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in human resources, including at least two years of direct payroll and benefits administration
• Knowledge of and experience researching, interpreting, and applying federal, state, and local employment laws and organization policies
• Excellent communication, interpersonal, customer service, detail, accuracy, organizational, multitasking, project management, decision-making, problem-solving, investigative/research, and critical thinking skills
• Proven abilities to meet deadlines, make sound judgments, manage confidential and sensitive matters, work effectively with internal and external constituents, develop collaborative relationships, and work in a highly interruptive environment with fluctuating priorities
• Understanding of and commitment to working in and fostering an environment of belonging and pluralism
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office (including advanced Excel skills) and HRIS/payroll/benefit systems
• Ability and willingness to work evenings and weekends as needed

Preferred candidates will have the following:

• Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) SHRM-CP/SHRM-SCP and/or Human Resources Certification Institute (HRCI) PHR/SPHR certification(s)
• Certified Payroll Professional (CPP) or Fundamental Payroll Certification (FPC) and/or Certified Employee Benefit Specialist (CEBS) certification(s)
• Experience transitioning payroll and benefit processes to electronic and self-service formats
• Work experience at a higher education institution
• Experience with ADP Workforce Now, Empyrean, and/or Employee Navigator

Application Process

Qualified candidates should submit a cover letter and resume to [email protected]. Candidates are encouraged to comment in their cover letter on how their contributions will further the university’s efforts to ensure the success and inclusion of all members of its community. Review of applications will begin immediately and will continue until the position is filled.

Semi-final candidates will be asked to submit contact information for three references. The salary range for this position is $65,200-$81,500/year, and the pay offered will be based on the selected candidate’s experience and qualifications. Once the selected candidate accepts a contingent employment offer, criminal history and credit history background checks will be conducted.

About Hollins

Hollins University is dedicated to academic excellence, creativity, belonging, and preparing students for lives of purpose. Hollins provides an outstanding and academically rigorous undergraduate liberal arts education for women and entrepreneurial and innovative graduate programs for all in a gender-inclusive environment.

The university promotes opportunities for research, education abroad, and leadership training, and offers real-world experience through global internships supported by an extensive alumnae/i network.

Hollins University is committed to providing equal opportunity in employment.

No employee or applicant shall be discriminated against on the basis of sex; sexual orientation; race; color; national or ethnic origin; disability; genetic information; military or veteran status; marital status; age; political beliefs; religion; and/or pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions; or any other category protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws.

Visit www.hollins.edu for more information.