New Resources for Human Resources
HR chief steps down as department reorganizes
Manuel Monteiro, who has led HR for 20 years, has announced his intention to step down. Photo by Kalman Zabarsky
The Office of Human Resources has set a new course intended to put it at the forefront of human resource services at American universities. The reorganization was recommended by the HR consultancy Towers Watson in a study conducted last summer. In anticipation of the many changes ahead, Manuel Monteiro, who has led HR for 20 years, has announced his intention of stepping down, effective September 30.
Peter Fiedler (COM’77), vice president for administrative services, says the University is grateful to Monteiro for his extensive contributions and loyalty over his many years of service to Boston University. “During his tenure, Manuel has overseen the growth of the University’s workforce from 6,500 to 9,500 employees, served as the lead contract negotiator with the University’s five labor unions, and shepherded numerous changes in the University’s benefit plans,” Fiedler says. “He was also a key participant on the BU/Chelsea Management Team, with primary responsibility for labor relations and human resources.”
Fiedler says the assessment of Human Resources by Towers Watson recommended that the department “be reorganized to be more in line with our peer institutions. Human Resources is a critical operational component of what we do at Boston University. Without the ability to effectively hire and retain great faculty and staff, we can’t achieve the objectives set forth in President Brown’s strategic plan.
“The short-term objective of the reorganization is to focus on the core mission of Human Resources and to successfully complete the ongoing BUworks/SAP implementation,” he says. “Secondly, we have to build the department’s bench strength. For many years, Human Resources has been a somewhat under-resourced part of the University.”
Fiedler says the University will seek assistance where needed from outside consultants to implement the recommendations of Towers Watson. He notes that the changes will include a greater ability to offer advice and provide assistance on global HR operations, to improve overall customer service, to enhance training, recruitment, and retention, and to develop metrics to measure the department’s performance in a variety of service areas.
The University has retained the search firm Korn/Ferry International to find a new chief human resources officer. “We are looking for a highly accomplished human resources professional to complete HR’s reorganization,” says Fiedler, who will work closely with HR staff until a new chief is hired.
Monteiro will continue with the University in the capacity of associate vice president, reporting to Todd Klipp, senior vice president, general counsel, and secretary of the Board of Trustees. In his new role, Monteiro will focus on important initiatives in the areas of human resources, benefits, and labor relations.
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