The Human Resources Director serves as a strategic leader responsible for shaping and advancing the human capital strategy of the American University of Kurdistan (AUK). This role ensures that HR policies, programs, and practices are fully aligned with the university’s mission, values, and long-term goals. The Director provides executive-level oversight of talent management, organizational development, employee engagement, and workforce planning. Through strategic leadership and evidence-based decision-making, the HR Director drives a culture of excellence, accountability, and continuous improvement across the institution.

Strategic Leadership & Planning

Develop and execute a comprehensive HR strategy that supports AUK’s institutional vision, culture, and strategic priorities.
Serve as a senior advisor to executive leadership on workforce planning, succession management, and organizational structure.
Lead initiatives that strengthen employee engagement, institutional culture, and organizational performance.
Champion diversity, equity, and inclusion across all HR practices and institutional initiatives.
Ensure HR’s contribution to institutional program review, assessment processes, and KPI development is aligned with accreditation expectations and university-wide performance goals.
long-term organizational development initiatives, including workforce optimization, competency modeling, and leadership pipeline development.
Contribute to university-wide strategic planning efforts, including multi-year staffing projections and resource planning aligned with academic program growth.

Recruitment & Staffing

Oversee strategic recruitment and retention initiatives to attract and sustain top talent.
Promote leadership development, career progression, and professional growth opportunities for faculty and staff.

Compensation & Benefits Administration

Provide strategic oversight of compensation structures and benefits programs to ensure competitiveness and internal equity.
Lead the optimization and governance of HR Information Systems (ZenHR, Menaitech, ERP).
Ensure HR technology effectively supports payroll, performance evaluation, and workforce analytics.

HR Information Systems (HRIS) Management

Maintain and update employee data using HRIS platforms such as Menaitech, ZenHR, and ERP HR systems.
Generate HR analytics and reports to support data-driven decision-making.
Ensure data integrity, confidentiality, and compliance with privacy standards.

Employee Relations & Compliance

Foster a culture of transparency, collaboration, and accountability consistent with AUK’s values.
Ensure full compliance with labor laws, institutional policies, and accreditation standards.
Serve as a trusted advisor on employee relations, conflict resolution, and policy interpretation.

Training, Development & Performance Management

Design and lead institution-wide training, capacity-building, and professional development programs.
Oversee the performance evaluation process and ensure alignment with institutional objectives.
Drive initiatives that enhance leadership capability and institutional effectiveness.

HR Operations & Reporting

Develop HR dashboards, reports, and analytics to inform strategic decisions by senior leadership.
Ensure data accuracy, confidentiality, and the ethical use of workforce information.
Lead internal HR projects and policy reviews to promote continuous improvement and innovation.

Skills

Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources Management, Business Administration, or a related field (Master’s preferred or SPHRi certification).
8–12 years of progressive HR leadership experience, preferably in higher education or a comparable sector.
Demonstrated expertise in HR strategy, organizational development, and change management.
Proven success in leveraging HRIS platforms (ZenHR, Menaitech, ERP, or similar) for institutional impact.
Deep knowledge of labor law, compensation frameworks, and best practices in employee engagement.
Exceptional communication, interpersonal, and leadership skills.
High standards of integrity, confidentiality, and professional ethics.

The American University of Kurdistan

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Director Of Human Resources