Leading with Excellence: The Director of Human Resources at the University of Florida College of Pharmacy

The University of Florida (UF) College of Pharmacy is seeking a dynamic and experienced leader to serve as its Director of Human Resources. This pivotal role offers an exceptional opportunity to shape the college's workforce strategy, champion employee engagement, and contribute to the continued success of a nationally recognized institution. As a member of the college's executive leadership team, the Director of Human Resources will report directly to the Dean and play a crucial role in fostering a thriving and inclusive work environment.

Strategic HR Leadership

The Director of Human Resources will provide comprehensive oversight of all HR-related activities within the College of Pharmacy, ensuring alignment with the college's broader academic and institutional goals. A key responsibility involves leading the development and execution of college initiatives designed to enhance employee engagement, retention, and organizational culture. By collaborating with senior leadership, the director will provide valuable insights and recommendations on strategic workforce planning and talent management, contributing to the college's overall success. Staying abreast of industry trends and best practices is crucial to ensure the college remains competitive and adaptive in its HR policies and practices.

HR Administration

Overseeing HR operations is a core function of this role, encompassing recruitment, onboarding, classification and compensation, benefits administration, immigration processes, and employee development programs. Ensuring compliance with university policies, state and federal labor laws, and accreditation requirements is paramount. The Director of Human Resources will serve as the primary HR liaison between the College of Pharmacy and central UF HR offices, facilitating effective communication and collaboration. Educating faculty and staff on HR policies and best practices through training and clear communication is essential to reduce misunderstandings and ensure consistent application across the college.

Performance Management and Employee Engagement

The Director of Human Resources will implement strategies to improve the retention of high-performing faculty and staff, including offering mentoring, training, and clear career progression pathways. Leading initiatives that foster a culture of continuous improvement, professional growth, and engagement through regular feedback, recognition programs, and employee development support is a key objective. Partnering with leadership to ensure alignment of individual performance goals with the college's strategic objectives is essential. The director will also oversee evaluation processes for staff, faculty, and post-doctoral researchers across the College of Pharmacy.

Employee Relations

Conducting sensitive employee relations conversations with professionalism and empathy is a critical aspect of this role, addressing workplace concerns, conflicts, or performance issues to support a respectful and productive work environment. The Director of Human Resources will provide guidance and support in managing employee relations issues, ensuring a fair and equitable approach to conflict resolution, grievances, and disciplinary actions. Serving as a trusted advisor to faculty and staff, providing support on sensitive HR matters and facilitating positive working relationships across the college is essential. The director will also liaise with the HSC Employee relations office on all ER matters for the College of Pharmacy and proactively identify potential employee relations issues early, working with leadership to resolve conflicts and promote a healthy work environment.

Team Management

Providing mentorship, coaching, and constructive feedback to a team of HR professionals is a key responsibility, fostering professional growth, enhancing skill sets, and ensuring alignment with organizational goals and HR best practices. The Director of Human Resources will oversee the distribution of tasks and responsibilities among the HR team, ensuring efficient handling of inquiries, recruitment, employee relations, and other HR functions, while maintaining high service standards. Fostering open communication and collaboration within the HR department, ensuring the team works effectively to resolve challenges and deliver excellent HR services to the College is essential. Conducting regular meetings with HR team members to align priorities, monitor progress, and foster collaboration is also crucial. The director will empower and develop the HR team by facilitating cross-training in key leadership areas, building versatility, deepening expertise, and preparing team members for expanded roles and responsibilities.

The University of Florida: A Premier Institution

The University of Florida, the flagship institution of the State of Florida and a member of the Association of American Universities (AAU), is a top-tier research university with a distinguished history of educating outstanding undergraduate, graduate, and professional students. Ranked among the nation's best universities by U.S. News & World Report, UF is committed to excellence in education, research, and service.

UF's academic health center is the only one in the country with six health-related colleges located on a single, contiguous campus. These colleges, along with major research centers and institutes, and clinical enterprises, focus on building collaborative, specialized clinical services centered on quality and innovation.

The University of Florida College of Pharmacy is recognized as the No. 1 pharmacy college in Florida and the No. 4 pharmacy college nationally by U.S. News & World Report. For nearly a century, the college has been dedicated to developing future leaders in pharmacy practice and science. With campuses in Gainesville, Jacksonville, and Orlando, the college's award-winning faculty are committed to improving the health of Floridians and people worldwide through pharmacy education, high-impact research, and clinical innovation.

As one of the top three National Institutes of Health-funded pharmacy colleges nationally, the UF College of Pharmacy boasts preeminent researchers who are leading major medical breakthroughs in areas such as drug discovery and development, pharmacometrics and systems pharmacology, and precision medicine. The college's online programs are among the largest and most successful in the world, having received multiple national awards for excellence in distance education.

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Gainesville: A Vibrant Community

Gainesville, home to Florida's largest and oldest university, is a vibrant hub of education, healthcare, culture, and sports in the state. The University of Florida and UF Health Shands Hospital are major employers, providing jobs for many residents of surrounding counties. The Greater Gainesville area serves as the cultural, educational, and commercial heart of the north central Florida region.

Gainesville offers a full range of municipal services, including cultural and administrative support. Renowned for its preservation of historic landmarks and natural beauty, the city boasts numerous parks, museums, and lakes that attract thousands of visitors. With its lush urban forest and Tree City USA® designation, Gainesville stands out as one of Florida's most picturesque cities. Its central location provides convenient access to both the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic Ocean, offering easy exploration of Florida's famed beaches, springs, and nature reserves.

Compensation and Benefits

The expected salary for this position is commensurate with education and experience. The University of Florida offers a comprehensive benefits package, including:

Health Insurance: UF participates in state- and university-sponsored benefits programs for individuals, families, and domestic partners, and offers voluntary insurance that includes vision, dental, long-term disability, and more.
Retirement Options: Attractive options include the Florida Retirement System Pension Plan, State University System Optional Retirement Program, Florida Retirement System Investment Plan, and Voluntary Retirement Savings Plan.
Leave: UF Faculty and Staff enjoy a generous paid leave plan as well as access to a sick-leave pool, maternity/paternity leave, and leave payouts.

For more information on benefits, visit hr.ufl.edu/benefits.

Qualifications

Minimum Requirements:

Master's degree in an appropriate area of specialization and six years of appropriate experience; or a bachelor's degree in an appropriate area of specialization and eight years of experience.

Preferred Qualifications:

Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related field.
At least 8 years of progressive HR experience, with at least 3 years in leadership roles.
Strong knowledge of HR best practices, employment laws, and compliance requirements.
HR Certificates: SHRM and/or PHR.
Experience in higher education or a research-intensive environment is preferred.
Experience in navigating complex employee relations situations and conversations.
Demonstrated ability to manage complex HR issues, promote conflict resolution, and foster a positive workplace culture.
Excellent communication, interpersonal, and leadership skills, with the ability to influence and build strong working relationships across all levels of the organization.
Proven ability to work in a fast-paced, dynamic environment, managing multiple priorities with discretion and professionalism.

Application Instructions

Interested candidates are invited to apply and contribute to UF's mission of excellence in education, research, and student life. For full consideration, applications must be submitted by February 27, 2026, and include the following required documents:

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Cover Letter summarizing experience leading HR in an academic or complex organizational setting and how you would contribute to the continued success of the College of Pharmacy at UF.

The position posting will remain open and accept applications until a competitive pool of applicants is established.

The University of Florida is a public institution and is subject to all requirements under Florida Sunshine and Public Record laws.

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