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University of Kentucky

HR Process Optimization Lead

🇺🇸 Lexington, KY 🕑 Full-Time 💰 $63K - $104K 💻 Human Resources 🗓️ March 12th, 2026
Sigma Six Sigma

Edtech.com's Summary

University of Kentucky is hiring an HR Process Optimization Lead. The role involves driving HR process excellence by applying Lean Six Sigma methodologies to improve efficiency, compliance, and employee experience across HR workflows. The lead will redesign high-impact HR processes, develop standards, and facilitate alignment across teams to support strategic initiatives and continuous improvement.

Highlights
  • Lead redesign of complex HR workflows using Lean Six Sigma methodologies.
  • Apply process improvement techniques to reduce cycle times and ensure compliance.
  • Create documentation and quality structures for enterprise-wide HR process adoption.
  • Provide insights, analytics, and performance metrics for data-driven decision making.
  • Required certification: Lean Six Sigma Green Belt or similar process improvement certification.
  • Minimum 5 years of experience in HR operations or administration with demonstrated process improvement expertise.
  • Collaborate with HR teams to drive alignment and support strategic HR initiatives.
  • Salary range: $62,941 - $103,834 per year.
  • Required education: Bachelor’s degree (BA).
  • Department: Human Resources Administration.

HR Process Optimization Lead Full Description

HR Process Optimization Lead
 Posting Details 
Job Title  | HR Process Optimization Lead
Requisition Number  | RE53191
Working Title  |
Department Name  | 3J510:Human Resources Administration
Work Location  | Lexington, KY
Grade Level  | 48
Salary Range  | $62,941-103,834/year
Type of Position  | Staff
Position Time Status  | Full-Time
Required Education  | BA
Click here for more information about equivalencies:  | https://hr.uky.edu/employment/working-uk/equivalencies
Required Related Experience  | 5 yrs
Required License/Registration/Certification  | Lean Six Sigma Green Belt or similar process improvement certification is required
Physical Requirements  | The essential job functions of this position require: communicating effectively; building positive working relationships with individuals from various backgrounds; abiding by University guidelines; maintaining confidentiality; prioritizing and managing work effectively; providing exceptional customer service and positively representing the university; ensuring work is detailed, accurate, and completed in a timely manner; performing work in a sedentary position; reporting to meetings at different locations both on campus and off campus; traveling locally, regionally and nationally; interacting with individuals from various levels throughout the university; and working successfully with a team, as well as independently.

Shift   
Primarily days, with core hours from 8:00 am-5:00 pm, Monday-Friday. Weekend and evening hours may be required as workload demands.

Job Summary  | The HR Process Optimization Lead is the organization’s primary driver of HR process excellence, responsible for elevating the consistency, efficiency, and quality of HR workflows across the enterprise. In this role, you will apply advanced Lean Six Sigma methodologies to transform complex HR processes, reducing cycle time, strengthening compliance, and creating scalable, user‑centered workflows that shape the employee experience.

You will lead redesign efforts for high‑impact HR processes, create future state standards, define critical handoffs and controls, and build the documentation and quality structures that support enterprise‑wide adoption. This position plays a key role in major strategic initiatives, ensuring HR processes are ready for long‑term sustainability, operational clarity, and continuous improvement.

As a collaborative influencer, you will facilitate working sessions, drive alignment across HR teams, and champion process excellence by delivering insights, analytics, and performance measures that help leaders make data‑driven decisions. This is a high-impact opportunity for a seasoned process expert who wants to shape how HR works, now and into the future.

Required is a Copy of Certification(s) which can be accessed in the Applicant Documents Section of the application under Specific Request 1.
Skills / Knowledge / Abilities  |
Does this position have supervisory responsibilities?  | No
Preferred Education/Experience  | Minimum 5+ years in HR operations or administration with demonstrated process improvement experience.

Deadline to Apply  | 04/14/2026
Our University Community  | We value the well-being of each of our employees and are dedicated to creating a healthy place for everyone to work, learn and live. In the interest of maintaining a safe and healthy environment for our students, employees, patients and visitors, the University of Kentucky is a Tobacco & Drug Free campus.

The University follows both the federal and state Constitutions as well as all applicable federal and state laws on nondiscrimination. The University provides equal opportunities for qualified persons in all aspects of institutional operations and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, ethnic origin, religion, creed, age, physical or mental disability, veteran status, uniformed service, political belief, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, marital status, genetic information or social or economic status.

Any candidate offered a position may be required to pass pre-employment screenings as mandated by University of Kentucky Human Resources. These screenings may include a national background check and/or drug screen.
Posting Specific Questions
Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).
  1. * Please describe a Lean Six Sigma Green Belt project you personally led that resulted in measurable improvements to an HR or HR adjacent workflow. In your response, include the problem statement, your role, the methodologies used (e.g., DMAIC, Kaizen, root cause analysis), the KPIs you targeted, the measurable outcomes (cycle time reduction, error rate reduction, cost savings, SLA improvements, etc.), and how you ensured long term control of the improved process. 
    (Open Ended Question)
  2. * When you map and redesign a complex cross functional HR workflow (for example, onboarding, vendor integrations, payroll activation, etc.), how do you balance user experience, compliance, system constraints (Workday/UKG/SAP), and stakeholder expectations? Walk me through how you think about building a future state process from the ground up. 
    (Open Ended Question)
  3. * Do you have a Lean Six Sigma Green Belt or similar process improvement certification? 
    • Yes
    • No
Applicant Documents
Required Documents
  1. Resume
Optional Documents
  1. Cover Letter
  2. Specific Request 1
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