Associate Vice President for Human Resources

Join a vibrant campus community whose excellence is reflected in its diversity and student success. West Chester University of Pennsylvania invites applications and nominations for the position of Associate Vice President for Human Resources. Founded in 1871, West Chester is a public, regional, comprehensive university and one of the fourteen campuses of the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education. WCU enrolls more than 17,500 students, is supported by 983 full and part-time faculty, and is organized into five colleges: Arts and Humanities; Business and Public Management; the Sciences and Mathematics; Education and Social Work; and Health Sciences. Additional divisions include the School of Music and the School of Interdisciplinary and Graduate Studies. The University is located 25 miles west of Philadelphia and strategically located in the center of the mid-Atlantic corridor between New York City and Washington, DC, with easy access to major cultural and commercial institutions and recreational activities. West Chester University enjoys the benefits of both the rich cultural life of a major city and the charm of a thriving county seat. 

 

POSITION SUMMARY:

Serving as a member of the Vice President for Administration & Finance’s senior management team, the position is responsible for leading both strategic and operations level planning, development and implementation of comprehensive Human Capital Management programs, services and initiatives in close alignment with the University’s strategic objectives.  Those objectives include high employee engagement, customer-centric services excellence, and ‘employer of choice’ status. 

 

Working collaboratively with senior leadership, as well as leaders across the University community and the larger State System, the position holder will serve as the chief communicator and strategist for issues relating to employees and employee organizations.  The ideal candidate will bring a proven track-record of success in developing, implementing and assessing “best practices” HR and LR programs, services, policies and procedures, as well as use of technology to enhance process efficiencies, decision-support, and communication with constituents and partners. 

Service areas include:  Talent Acquisition and Management; Labor and Employment Benefits and Rewards Programs; Organizational and Employee Training and Development; Payroll and Leave Management; Risk Management; and Environmental Health and Safety.  Current technology platforms in use include SAP for HRIS and Pay, PeopleSoft for legacy, Halogen for talent management, including performance management; NEOGOV for applicant tracking, HR Acuity for labor and employment case management, Skillsoft for training; and a number of document imaging, storage and process management applications relying on App-Extender, OnBase and SharePoint.  

SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Provides strategic and situational advice and counsel to the President and other senior and semi-senior University leaders on employment, labor and environmental health and safety matters.
• Serves as chief strategist and aligner for the University’s future-focused Human Resources programs and services.
• Leverages best practices, benchmarking, and emerging trends to improve overall quality of HR and EHS service delivery.
• Serves as a subject matter expert and internal control for regulatory and compliance requirements, as well as risk-management strategies within the full scope of HR, LR and EHS programs and services, paying close attention to their potential for affecting costs, resources, planning initiatives and confidence in the organization. 
• Establishes and maintains effective working relationships with key internal constituencies and stakeholders, as well as partners across the University System and the Office of the Chancellor.
• Provides administrative oversight to the University Talent Management continuum, including programs and services established to facilitate intelligent workforce planning as well as encourage broader diversity in employment. 
• Advises senior management on reorganizations, and establishes and maintains programs to ensure compensation equity for non-bargaining unit employees.
• Implements metrics to measure the value and efficiency of programs and services within the position’s organizational accountability. 

QUALIFICATIONS:

     Requirements:  A Master’s Degree from a regionally-accredited institution of higher learning in Human Resource Management, Business Administration, Public Administration, Organizational Development or a related field; 10 years of experience in a Human Resources leadership role in a public organization with a strong history of executing best practices and innovative programs that deliver ‘next level’, measurable results in team-based environments; experience in a data-driven, systems environment; a working knowledge of regulatory and compliance standards and requirements for the HR, LR and EHS disciplines; a proven track record of successful collaborative partnerships with internal stakeholders; a strategic thinker with exemplary interpersonal, organizational and communication skills;  an inclusive leadership style; and the ability to demonstrate courage and integrity in critical decision-making and decision-support moments. Equivalent experiences in business and industry and other related environments will be considered.

 

     Preferences:  A Juris Doctor Degree from an accredited law school; an active PHR, SPHR, SHRM-CP or SHRM-SCP certification; 5 years of experience in a labor or employee relations leadership role; 7 years of experience in a Human Resources senior leadership role in a public or private University environment; 3 years of experience overseeing Environmental Health and Safety and Payroll operations.

 The search committee will accept confidential applications and nominations until the position is filled. Screening of candidates will begin immediately. Applicants must successfully complete the interview process to be considered as a finalist, which includes a questionnaire (available upon request and/or at the time of application). For best consideration, applications and nominations should be provided before December 1, 2018. An application should include a letter describing relevant experiences and interest in the position (please limit to three pages); a resume; and the names of five references, with titles, addresses, business and home telephone numbers, and e-mail addresses. Submission of materials as a PDF attachment to the email addresses below is strongly encouraged. Individuals wishing to place names in nomination should submit a letter of nomination, including the name, position, address and telephone number of the nominee. Greenwood/Asher & Associates, Inc., an executive search firm, is assisting the University in the search.

Applications and letters of nominations should be submitted to:

Julie Holley or Narcisa Polonio

Greenwood/Asher & Associates, Inc.

42 Business Center Drive, Suite 206

Miramar Beach, FL  32550

Phone: 850 650-2277

Fax: 850 650-2272

 

Email: julieholley@greenwoodsearch.com

Email: narcisapolonio@greenwoodsearch.com  

 

Developing and sustaining a diverse faculty and staff advances WCU's educational mission. The University is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer encouraging diversity. Women, minorities, veterans, and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

WCU offers of employment are subject to and contingent upon satisfactory completion of all preemployment background checks.