The Head of Human Resources Management

  • Full-time
  • Department: Department of Human Capital Development
  • Job Type: Administrative staff

Company Description

Nazarbayev University (NU) is a young and rapidly developing high education institution with a strong focus on research and teaching excellence. Located in Nur-Sultan, the capital city of Kazakhstan in the heart of Eurasia, NU strives to become a world-class research university highly committed to students, staff, and community. NU has finished its start-up phase and is entering its second decade. Driven by heightened competition and increasing disruption, we recognize the significance of the accelerating pace of strategic change. Global trends alter us to review and redesign our structures and processes to enhance our performance. To successfully overcome the 21st century challenges for universities, the President of NU has recently launched an ambitious organizational transformation initiative grounded on several pillars: (1) Embracing talent throughout the campus and beyond; (2) Educating and embracing creativity, entrepreneurship, risk-taking, adaptability, and accountability; (3) Building an outcome-oriented and client-centric approach to enhance teaching, research, service, and practice; (4) Increasing emphasis on life-long learning or learning-for-life; and (5) Moving from mere admin and academic functions to partnership.

We acknowledge and appreciate the critical role of HR leadership in pursuing our ambitious goals. We are looking for a highly motivated and aspired HR professional who can lead through our transformation initiative. The Head of HR Management will support the University’s strategy, attract, develop, and retain the best talent and inspire the culture of excellence and life-long learning. We expect the person to serve as a strategic advisor to the senior management team on all HR matters and oversee all strategic and operational aspects of the HR function.  

We are looking for an energetic and multitasking person with outstanding leadership and interpersonal skills, the experience of working at a leadership position in an international and academic environment. Please apply, and we look forward to welcoming you to our young international university family!

Job Description

The Head of Human Resources Management (HHR) reports directly to the Executive Management of Nazarbayev University (NU) and is a key member of NU senior management team. The HHR serves as a strategic advisor to the senior management team on all HR matters and oversees all strategic and operational aspects of the human resources function for the University’s employees, including talent acquisition and retention; compensation and benefits; training and capability building; employee and labor relations; performance management; and policy development and review. The HHR also works closely with other senior leaders and administrators in the schools, administrative departments and NU organizations.

  • Provides strategic direction to align human resource programs in support of the University's strategic initiatives and mission;
  • Independently provides strategic human resources support in the areas of complex employee relations matters, organizational design and development, change management, recruitment, retention, compensation, training and development strategies, diversity initiatives, and efforts related to improving the work environment; is a broker of these services as needed and appropriate;
  • Develops, implements, and evaluates HR related policies;
  • Develops HR department’s goals, objectives, operations and systems;
  • Directs, manages and develops HR Department staff - responsible for all aspects of managing staff including the performance management process and staff training needs;
  • Facilitates problem solving and maintains a high level of customer satisfaction;
  • Actively partners with Deans, Heads of Departments and other stakeholders to address a variety of workplace issues in a strategic way;
  • Oversees and manages the University’s annual review, preparation and administration of employee compensation;
  • Serves as advisor/consultant to the Executive Management, Deans, Executive Directors, and Heads of Departments;
  • Manages specific projects as determined in the annual HR operational plan (staff engagement survey, transformation initiatives, benchmarking exercises, compensation services etc.) and participate in all functional and cross-functional initiatives;
  • Ensures compliance with relevant laws and regulations and provides risk management oversight and mitigation strategies for HR related functions and matters;
  • Participate in annual budget planning and medium-term resource planning exercises of the University and its organizations with focus on HR related issues and organizational development;
  • other functions in accordance with the decisions of the Executive Management.

Qualifications

Education

  • Advance professional degree preferably from the higher education institutions with English language of instruction.
  • Priority specializations:
  • human resources management and development;
  • labor relations;
  • general management.

Required professional experience 

Working experience should correspond to one of the following requirements:

1) with PhD/PhD in business administration degree - at least 5 years of working experience, including 2-3 years at managerial position, or in the areas corresponding to functional areas of a specific position in academia, public service or in international and/or national companies/organizations; or

2) with Master`s degree - at least 7 years of working experience, including 5 years at managerial position, or in the areas corresponding to functional areas of specific position in academia, public service or in international and/or national companies/organizations; or

3) with Bachelor’s degree - at least 10 years of working experience, including 5-7 years at managerial position, or in the areas corresponding to functional areas of specific position in academia, public service or in international and/or national companies/organizations.

For 1) and 2) CIPD, SHRM and other professional certificates would be an asset; for 3) CIPD, SHRM and other professional certificates is a must.

Additional Information

Professional and personal competencies and skills

·      Outstanding leadership, management, and interpersonal skills;

·      Experience of working at a leadership position in an international environment;

·      Experience of working in a University or academic environment;

·      Strong business acumen;

·      Ability to make tough/timely decisions and to be firm when appropriate and necessary;

·      Impeccable judgment and high personal and professional integrity;

·      Experience as crisis manager and communicator who can deal with a wide range of people issues;

·      A team player who works well with stakeholders at all levels of the organization and external parties.

Proficiency in languages

Fluency and high proficiency in written and spoken English language. Fluency in Kazakh and Russian languages would be an asset.

Computer Skills

Knowledge of well-established operating and ERP systems.