Merit America is launching a new, nonprofit online college committed to building pathways to economic mobility through accessible degree and certificate programs. We are seeking an experienced HR Consultant to help build the College’s People infrastructure from the ground up, designing systems that are purpose-built for the future of online learning.
You will serve as a foundational partner to college leadership, architecting systems and processes across HR functions, from faculty credentialing and accreditation-readiness to compensation structures. The ideal candidate brings deep knowledge of higher education HR and employment practices, paired with the vision, excitement, and agility to build something new.
Scope of Services & Deliverables
Design Faculty & Staff Hiring Processes
- Develop standardized recruitment workflows specifically tailored for online higher education.
- Create interview rubrics and onboarding sequences that ensure alignment with institutional values and mission.
Create Faculty Handbook and Faculty Qualification Policy
- Deliverable: Faculty Handbook and Faculty Qualification Policy. Author a formal policy manual defining the minimum qualification standards for faculty
- Establish a system for maintaining personnel file standards that meet federal, state, and accrediting body requirements, including verified transcripts, copies of applicable licenses or credentials, and "tested experience" justifications.
Architect Faculty and Staff Evaluation Frameworks
- In collaboration with the Chief Academic Officer and Merit America’s People Operations team, design a faculty evaluation system that measures online instructional effectiveness and student engagement.
- Develop a separate, results-oriented performance management process for administrative staff.
Establish Compensation & Competency Structures
- Perform a market analysis of online higher education benchmarks to build competitive salary bands and benefit summaries for both faculty and administrative roles.
- Define "Load and Pay" models for adjunct vs. full-time faculty to ensure scalability as the college grows.
- Map out core competencies for all roles to ensure clear career pathways and performance expectations.
Expected Duration: 2-4 months with possibility of renewal
Location: Remote, in a US time zone
Deadline to apply: April 19, 2026
Please apply using this form.