Director, Employee Engagement

Title: Director, Employee Engagement

Department: Human Resources

Number of Positions: 1

Position Summary: The overall purpose of this job to design, lead, and implement the college's employee engagement and recruitment strategy in alignment with the College's mission, vision, values, and strategic plan, with an emphasis on building a culture of recognition, fostering professional growth, and strengthening talent pipelines through student employment, internships, and alumni engagement. The director develops programs and partnerships that promote PSCC's vision of becoming a career immersion college while ensuring initiatives have measurable outcomes that enhance the employee experience and organizational performance.

Essential Functions:

55% Recruitment, Advancement, and Achievement

• Provide strategic oversight of the College's recruitment and selection processes by supervising the Employment Specialists, leading efforts to automate and streamline hiring workflows, ensuring consistency and efficiency in applicant screening, onboarding coordination, and hiring practices.
• Expand recruitment pipelines for student employment and internships by engaging managers across campuses, developing best practice guidelines, and increasing alumni hires. Represent the college internally and at recruitment fairs, networking events, and employer partnerships to build talent pipelines for entry-level roles and strengthen community relationships.
• Lead college-wide recognition programs and events that celebrate employee excellence, service, and contributions. Partner with the Foundation to integrate giving opportunities with recognition efforts, ensuring alignment with alumni engagement strategies. Manage college wide, division, and departmental recognition calendars, awards programs, and related communications to enhance morale and retention.

25% Active Learning Support - Develop, coordinate, and evaluate professional learning for staff, including soft skills, compliance-based training and leadership in collaboration with the PACE director, HR executive director, and other stakeholders (including but not limited to Pellissippi Academy: Path to Excellence; Pellissippi State Trainer Academy (PSTA), etc.). Collaborate with the Cross Functional Talent Development team to maintain a year-round training calendar and other college wide professional development initiatives. Lead career advancement programming for staff, providing clear paths for growth and supporting internal talent development. Collaborate with Career Development and Engage and Lead to deploy student employee workshops. Leverage a designated learning management system (LMS) for delivery once identified. Other training responsibilities as assigned.

10% HR Access, Accountability, and Agility- Expand awareness and accessibility of HR resources, policies, and procedures by serving as HR liaison and maintaining HR specific content on the college's intranet. Ensure information is accurate, clear, user-friendly, increasing transparency and understanding across the college community. Partner with the HR executive director to update content regularly and communicate changes effectively.

5% Employee Relations - As assigned by the executive director, assist with employee relations by completing specific assignments, which may include gathering information, preparing communications, supporting investigations, or assisting with engagement-related follow-up actions. Ensure all tasks are completed accurately, timely, and in alignment with institutional policy.5% Other duties as assigned including but not limited to serving on relevant college committees, the Cross Functional Talent Development Team, or other special assignments that strengthen employee engagement and institutional culture.

Note: The College reserves the right to change or reassign job duties, or combine positions at any time.

Job Requirements:

A bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Organizational Development, Education, Business Administration, or a related field is required. A master's degree in Human Resources, Organizational Leadership, Higher Education, or a related discipline is preferred. Professional certifications such as SHRM-CP/SCP or PHR/SPHR are desirable but not required.

Years of Experience: A minimum of 5 years of progressively responsible experience in human resources, talent acquisition, organizational development, employee engagement, or higher education administration is required. Experience in program design, training coordination, employee relations, or employee recognition initiatives is preferred.

Part-time work experience is calculated at 50% credit of full-time work experience.

Skills/Abilities:

• Demonstrated proficiency in fully leveraging applicant tracking systems (ATS) to automate and streamline recruitment workflows, including designing efficient processes, optimizing system functionality, and applying strategic thinking to enhance hiring efficiency and the overall candidate experience.
• Experienced in supervising teams and inspiring staff toward continuous improvement.
• Strong program development, project management, and organization skills.
• Excellent communication, facilitation, and public speaking abilities.
• Ability to analyze data and measure outcomes for continuous improvement.
• Skill in building partnerships across departments and external stakeholders.
• Proficiency with learning management systems (LMS) and HRIS platforms and related technology.
• Ability to handle sensitive information with discretion, neutrality, professionalism and maintain confidentiality.
• Demonstrated honesty, integrity, and ethical judgment in all professional interactions.
• Conflict resolution, de-escalation, and employee relations support skills, including accurate documentation and follow-up.
• Professional poise and consistency in high-pressure or sensitive situations.
• Strong problem-solving with adaptability in balancing multiple priorities.
• Able to engage in the college's mission, vision, and values.

Physical Demands: The role is primarily office-based with extended periods of sitting, computer use, and meetings. Occasional moving around and lifting (generally under 25 lbs.) are required when setting up training sessions, recognition events, or recruitment fairs. Local travel between campuses and occasional attendance at external events is also necessary.

Hazards: Standard office environments and event setting present low-risk, though some event-related activities may require light physical exertion.

Full-time Employment Benefits:

• Insurance Options: Health, Dental, Vision, Life, Short/Long-term Disability, FSA/HSA
• Wellness Incentive Program, if enrolled in health plan
• Educational Assistance: Fee Waiver, Spouse/Dependent discounts, Audit/Non-Credit, Reimbursement Program
• Employee Assistance Program
• Retirement Options: Tennessee traditional pension plan option (TCRS), 401k with $100 company match, 457, 403b
• Employee Discount program with over 900+ companies
• 14 Paid Holidays/Year Includes paid days off the last week of December
• Sick Leave Bank
• Longevity Pay
• Many opportunities for professional development

Special Instructions to Applicants: To be considered for a position at Pellissippi State, you must create an on-line application. Your skills, abilities, qualifications, and years of experience will be evaluated using only what is recorded on your application. Work experience that is not listed on the application will not be considered towards compensation. Please note: attaching a resume does not substitute for completion of the application form. Part-time work experience is calculated at 50% of full-time experience. Please note: to scan, upload, or attach documents, a computer and scanner are available at the Hardin Valley Campus Educational Resources Center, if needed.

Pellissippi State Community College does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, ethnicity or national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, pregnancy, disability, age (40+), status as a protected veteran, genetic information, or any other class protected by Federal or State laws and regulations and by Tennessee Board of Regents policies concerning all employment and education programs and activities. View the nondiscrimination policy. For questions or concerns, please contact George Underwood at gtunderwood@pstcc.edu or 865-539-7354.

If you have any problems or questions please contact Human Resources at Pellissippi State Community College's Human Resource Office at 865-694-6607 or by email at recruiting@pstcc.edu.

If you are interested in this position, click on Apply located below or Apply Now in the upper right-hand corner.

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