If you are an HR professional with demonstrated experience or interest in employee relations, strategic initiatives, customer service, and workforce management with a strong operations skillset, this position may be of interest to you!

The University of Southern Maine is seeking to fill the position of Human Resources Partner (HRP) to support our Academic Affairs division, including part-time faculty, under the direction of the Vice President for Human Resources, and in partnership with the Provost, Deans and Directors in the division. The HR Partner will collaborate with the USM Human Resources team and HR Centers across the University of Maine System to deliver effective HR solutions that align with and support the University’s and division’s goals. Furthermore, the HR Partner provides HR generalist support to faculty and staff in the Academic Affairs division.

The HR Partner will assist employees, managers, and supervisors work through employee relations issues with coaching and corrective action procedures, especially pertaining to progressive discipline, skill development, and contract and policy interpretation. The HRP must have the interest and ability to work in a fast-paced, unionized environment and manage multiple projects at a time. They must have the capacity to consistently meet deadlines while demonstrating a positive attitude that supports employee engagement. The HRP should be a team player who takes the initiative to make improvements and accomplish work while collaborating well in a team environment and matrixed organization.

This is a full-time position on our Portland Campus with an annual salary of up to $62,000.

The University of Southern Maine is a vibrant academic community located in the greater Portland, Maine area, including campuses in Portland, Gorham, Lewiston, and online. USM is part of the University of Maine System and offers a comprehensive array of undergraduate and graduate programs, emphasizing hands-on learning, community engagement, and interdisciplinary collaboration. With a highly engaged student-centered learning environment, USM is a steward of higher education, helping drive the economic, cultural, and civic life in the communities where our campuses are located and beyond. USM is committed to providing expanded access to high-quality education that elevates economic opportunity and contributes significantly to the vitality of a diverse society. To learn more about USM, visit About Our University.

The University of Southern Maine offers highly competitive benefits for full-time and eligible part-time employees that includes (but is not limited to):

13 paid holidays plus earned vacation time and sick time.
Health, dental and vision insurance.
Low-cost short-term disability insurance and employer-paid long-term disability insurance.
Employer-paid basic life insurance and supplemental life insurance.
A tuition waiver program for employees and their spouse or dependent child(ren).
A 403(b)-retirement plan with employer contribution.
Free access to the METRO system, including the Husky Line with service between our Portland and Gorham campuses.

To learn more, please review the Benefits Information Summary.

The University of Southern Maine fosters a welcoming and supportive campus environment that respects and appreciates varied perspectives, enhancing teaching, learning, personal growth, and overall institutional achievement. We welcome applications from candidates of all backgrounds who share our dedication to academic excellence and the enrichment of our community.

We are dedicated to our Service Promise, Student Focused Every Day and seek a team member who embraces this commitment and upholds our core values of Respect & Care, Integrity, Equity, and Responsiveness.

Required Qualifications:

Bachelor’s degree in related discipline and 3+ years of HR experience.
Ability to communicate effectively with external and internal contacts, including presentation and facilitation skills.
Exercises good judgment, diplomacy, and perceptual objectivity to make decisions effectively and appropriately.
Aptitude to define problems, identify trends, collect data, and establish facts to draw valid conclusions.
Experience working both independently and collaboratively to implement solutions.
Experience building productive relationships with internal and external constituencies.
Solid understanding of strategic HR in the context of policy, process, organizational culture, laws/regulations, collective bargaining agreements and/or personnel policies, and practical realities.

To apply, click on the ‘Apply Now’ or visit our USM Careers Page and submit the following:

Cover Letter
Resume/Curriculum Vitae
Finalist candidates will be asked to provide a list of the names and contact information for references.

Important items to know about the recruitment process:

Review of applications will begin immediately. For full consideration, materials must be submitted no later than 4:30 p.m. EST on September 5, 2025.
Materials received after the initial review date will be reviewed at the discretion of the University.
Incomplete application materials cannot be considered.
Candidates selected to proceed to the final stages of the search process will be requested to provide three (3) names and contact information for references.
The successful applicant is subject to appropriate background screenings.
We are not able to consider applicants who require Visa sponsorship.

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. View the University’s Annual Security Report (PDF). If you wish to have a paper copy of the ASR or need to have a copy of the ASR in an accessible format, the University will provide such a copy upon request. Please contact our Public Safety Office at 207.780.5211.

In complying with the letter and spirit of applicable laws and pursuing its own goals of diversity, the University of Maine System does not discriminate on the grounds 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 or veterans or military status in employment, education, and all other programs and activities. The University provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding non-discrimination policies: Director of Equal Opportunity, 5713 Chadbourne Hall, Room 412, University of Maine, Orono, ME 04469-5713, 207-581-1226. TTY 711 (Maine Relay System).

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.