Associate Director of Human Resources

About the role

Carnegie Mellon University Africa (CMU-Africa) is seeking an experienced, collaborative and service-oriented Associate Director of Human Resources to lead its HR operations in Kigali, Rwanda. Reporting to the Chief Operations Officer, the Associate Director serves as the senior local HR partner, responsible for HR services across the employee lifecycle, organizational culture and employee experience, and HR governance and compliance. The role leads the CMU-Africa HR team and works closely with the College of Engineering HR Business Partner and University HR colleagues.

Key responsibilities

• Lead HR operations and the employee lifecycle, including recruitment, onboarding, employment administration, employee support, benefits, relocation and mobility, transitions and offboarding, within University HR policies and processes.
• Act as senior HR advisor to the Chief Operations Officer, CMU-Africa Director, leadership team and supervisors, and escalate higher-risk matters through University channels.
• Partner with the COO, College Chief Business Officer and HR Business Partner on employee relations and performance management, supporting supervisors with performance, conduct, grievances and workplace concerns.
• Build and strengthen organizational culture, collaboration, inclusion, accountability, communication and engagement.
• Improve recruitment, onboarding, orientation, relocation, settling-in and offboarding processes using employee and manager feedback.
• Maintain HR governance, compliance and risk standards aligned with University requirements and Rwandan employment law.
• Coordinate benefits, employee support, learning and development and related services with University specialist teams and external providers.
• Lead continuous improvement of HR operations and employee experience, using data, feedback and operational insights.
• Lead and develop the CMU-Africa HR team, and maintain effective collaboration with the College and University HR teams across the distributed HR model.

Required profile

• Master's degree in Human Resources, Organizational Development, Business Administration or a related discipline preferred; equivalent education and experience may be considered.
• A recognized professional HR qualification such as SHRM, CIPD, HRCI, CHRP or equivalent preferred.
• Significant progressively responsible HR experience at management or senior professional level, including recruitment, onboarding, employee relations, performance management and HR administration.
• Experience advising supervisors and senior leaders, and leading and developing HR professionals.
• Experience in a matrixed, centralized or shared-services HR model; cross-country experience is highly desirable.

Required skills

• Broad HR knowledge, especially HR operations, employee lifecycle management, employee relations, performance management and employee experience.
• HR partnering and advisory skills, with good judgment on when to involve University specialists.
• Strong understanding of HR governance, confidentiality, documentation, compliance and risk management.
• Coaching, influencing and relationship-management skills, with discretion on sensitive matters.
• Organizational and project-management skills, attention to detail and a service-oriented approach.

What we offer

• Medical, prescription, dental and vision insurance, and a retirement savings program with employer contributions.
• Tuition benefits, paid time off and observed holidays, and life and accidental death and disability insurance.
• Pittsburgh regional transit bus pass, family concierge support and fitness center access.