Associate HR Business Partner

The University of Maine at Farmington (UMF) is seeking a proactive, tech-fluent, and collaborative Associate Human Resources Partner (Associate HRP) to serve our campus community at UMF. This position focuses on the daily execution and implementation of HR strategies, providing vital generalist support, and managing the practical logistics of our talent acquisition and employment processes.

If you are a systems-oriented professional who excels at building productive relationships, optimizing talent acquisition platforms, dissecting dense policies into clear, accessible procedures, and delivering engaging training, this position is the perfect opportunity to put your skills to work.

Based on the qualifications and experience of the successful applicant, the anticipated annual salary for this position is up to $58,000 plus a 10% employer contribution to the UMS retirement plan. Additional benefits include medical, dental, vision, and tuition waiver programs for employees and dependents.

Complete Job Description

Where You Will Make an Impact (Responsibilities)

High-Volume Talent Acquisition & Recruitment

• Drive the Recruitment Lifecycle: Partner directly with hiring managers and campus departments to implement proactive recruitment strategies that meet talent needs.
• Leverage Recruitment Marketing: Utilize social media, and innovative strategies to build robust talent and elevate UMF's employer brand.
• Data-Driven Analysis: Utilize recruitment knowledge resources to conduct comprehensive salary analyses, that align with university standards and collective bargaining agreements, analyze trends of search processes and identify workflow bottlenecks.

Technology & Process Optimization

• ATS Backend Management: Act as the super-user and operational anchor for our applicant tracking and HR systems. Maintain, configure, and troubleshoot hiring stages to ensure a flawless candidate and user experience.
• Navigate Complex Frameworks: Maintain an in-depth understanding of collective bargaining agreements, System Administrative Practice Letters (APLs), and Federal/State employment laws to ensure consistency and compliance in day-to-day operations.
• Build Operational Solutions: Analyze routine administrative challenges and establish proactive solutions by translating university guidelines and complex policies into clear, user-friendly procedures that help managers navigate HR processes efficiently and transparently.

️ Leadership Coaching & Relationship Building

• Deliver Impactful Training: Serve as a trusted advisor to Search Chairs and Committee members, providing direct coaching, compliance oversight, and strategic guidance throughout the entire interview and selection process.
• Coach Campus Leadership: Provide reliable direction, counsel, and orientation to administrators, search committees, and supervisors regarding human resources.
• Campus Outreach: Serve as a primary internal and external point of contact, cross-functional meetings and maintaining communication between HR and various campus constituents.

Relationship Management & Employee Support

• Cultivate Trusted Partnerships: Build productive, cross-functional relationships with internal and external customers.
• Manage Employee Relations: Serve as an objective, responsive advocate while addressing and resolving routine issues. Conduct thorough, objective investigations in alignment with University policies, procedures, and collective bargaining agreements.

Core Competencies for Success

• Tech-Agility: You don''t just use software; you enjoy figuring out how it works. You adapt instantly to new platforms and enjoy configuring back-end systems to make manual tasks obsolete.
• People-First Communication: You are comfortable presenting to senior leaders, guiding tough compliance conversations and building authentic partnerships across departments.
• Perceptual Objectivity: You exercise diplomacy, good judgment, and strong analytical skills to define problems, identify trends, collect data, and establish facts to draw valid conclusions.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree or an equivalent combination of education and relevant experience.
• One year or more of relevant professional HR experience.
• Basic foundational knowledge of human resources principles.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively with internal and external contacts, including strong presentation and facilitation skills.
• Experience working both independently as well as collaboratively.
• Previous experience leveraging a wide array of technologies and communication tools.
• Proven track record of building relationships with internal and external customers.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Direct HR experience within a higher education setting or a similarly complex, multi-unit organization governed by collective bargaining agreements.
• Professional HR credentialing (such as SHRM-CP or PHR).

Application Requirements:

• Cover Letter
• Resume/Curriculum Vitae
• Contact information for three (3) professional references

We are not able to consider applicants who require Visa sponsorship support.

Incomplete application materials cannot be considered. Materials received after the initial review date will be reviewed at the discretion of the University.

For full consideration, materials must be submitted by 4:30 pm EST on Friday, July 31, 2026.

The successful applicant is subject to appropriate background screening and post-offer physical as applicable.

The University of Maine at Farmington employees are Mandatory Reporters with the exception of UMF's licensed, clinical medical providers (including athletic trainers) and mental health providers and their clinical interns when working in their capacity as providers.

The University of Maine System (the System) is an equal opportunity institution committed to fostering a nondiscriminatory environment and complying with all applicable nondiscrimination laws. Consistent with State and Federal law, the System does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, transgender status, gender, gender identity or expression, ethnicity, national origin, citizenship status, familial status, ancestry, age, disability (physical or mental), genetic information, pregnancy, or veteran or military status in any aspect of its education, programs and activities, and employment. The System provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request. If you believe you have experienced discrimination or harassment, you are encouraged to contact the System Office of Equal Opportunity and Title IX Services at 5713 Chadbourne Hall, Room 412, Orono, ME 04469-5713, by calling 207.581.1226, or via TTY at 711 (Maine Relay System). For more information about Title IX or to file a complaint, please contact the UMS Title IX Coordinator at www.maine.edu/title-ix/.

Clery Act

The Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act, or Clery Act, mandates that all Title IV institutions, such as the University, prepare, publish and distribute an Annual Security Report, (ASR) and provide notice of the availability of the ASR to all prospective employees. This report consists of two basic parts: disclosure of the University's crime statistics for the past three calendar years; and disclosures regarding the University's current campus security policies. You may view the University's Annual Security Report. If you have any questions, contact UMF Dept. of Public, Safety / Campus Police, University of Maine at Farmington, 149 Quebec Street, Farmington, Maine 04938-1994 tel 207-778-7400UMF

About the University of Maine System

The University of Maine System (UMS), established in 1968, consists of seven universities and the University of Maine School of Law, spread across various locations in Maine. UMS provides system-wide services and governance from these locations, leveraging the distinct strengths and collaborations among its institutions to advance strategic priorities for UMS and the state of Maine.

Choosing UMS means opting for a high quality of life supported by excellent benefits such as tuition waivers, robust retirement contributions, and comprehensive insurance coverage including medical, dental, vision, life, and disability. Maine''s diverse landscapes, from accessible wilderness and rugged coastline to urban centers and rural communities, offer numerous cultural activities, strong public schools, safe neighborhoods, and high-quality healthcare. Discover more about Maine''s exemplary lifestyle on the Maine Office of Tourism website.