Associate Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer

The University of New England (UNE), Maine's largest private university, seeks a collaborative and forward-looking human resources leader to serve as the Associate Vice President (AVP) and Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO). The AVP will play an important role in building upon the institution's strategic plan, Our World, Our Future, by leading UNE's HR program and collaborating across the institution as an innovative partner.

The AVP reports to the Senior Vice President of Finance and Administration and will lead a team of nine (9) staff while managing an annual operating budget of $25 million, including employee benefits. The HR team has responsibility for talent management, employee recruitment, training, professional development, employee relations, performance management, compensation management & analysis, employee health & wellness benefits, health & welfare related risk management, Title IX compliance, human resources technology, and employee engagement programs.

The Associate Vice President (AVP) will proactively address the following opportunities and goals:

• Lead with vision. The AVP will provide strategic and organizational guidance to senior leaders on human resources issues. The AVP will evaluate and update the current HR policies and implement best practices while looking to future trends;
• Collaborative partner. The AVP will build and foster relationships and creativity across organizations and departments;
• Guide talent management and workforce development and planning. The AVP will be a future-focused leader and will build capacity among managers and supervisors, both long­ standing and new, in employment matters such as onboarding, succession planning, performance evaluation, and compensation strategy. The AVP will partner and advise academic leaders on human resource functions such as merit reviews and compensation studies;
• Lead a strong HR team. Under the AVP, HR will offer the highest level of integrity and service to a relationship driven workforce while continuing to improve HR policy, programs, and practices that meet the evolving human capital needs of the institution. The AVP will plan, implement, administer, monitor, and evaluate the specific functions, programs and services of the Human Resources department, including employment records, discipline and dismissal, equal opportunity/affirmative action, training, and employee relations;
• Overhaul HRIS design and best practices. The AVP will leverage data and innovative systems to build a culture that drives operational efficiency and optimizes the use of timely reporting and data analysis to present actionable intelligence for the department and the University;
• Lead compensation, benefits, and compliance. The AVP will provide leadership on the development of compensation and benefits programs, balancing prudency while continuing to offer competitive compensation packages that attract and retain top talent. The AVP will ensure the University is in compliance with state and federal regulations and advise leadership across the University on new and existing policies, laws and regulations;
• Build community. The AVP will research, recommend, develop, implement, and administer University-sponsored activities such as wellness and recreational programs aimed to highlight UNE’s employee value proposition. Additionally, the AVP will develop strategies to promote UNE as one of the best places to work in Maine; and
• Align with UNE's mission. The AVP will lead organizational initiatives that align with the University's mission and goals working collaboratively with all colleges and departments.

The successful candidate is a strategic and process-oriented change-agent and collaborator, and an excellent servant leader. With senior leadership, the AVP will translate UNE's strategic vision into forward-thinking HR operational plans. A Bachelor’s degree is required (graduate degree preferred) in Human Resources or related field from a regionally accredited college or university, with professional certifications strongly preferred such as SHRM-SCP or SPHR; and at least 10 years of progressively responsible experience leading relevant functions within a human resource department in an institution of higher education or a comparably complex setting. The full position profile can be found here.

University of New England has engaged Koya Leadership Partners to help in this search. Please submit applications, expressions of interest, and nominations to Tom Phillips and Charlotte Harris here.

The University of New England is committed to equal employment opportunity for all persons regardless of race, ethnicity, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, religion, age, veteran status or disabling condition in violation of Federal or state civil rights laws of section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. The University of New England is also committed to providing all of its programs and activities to students and alumni on a nondiscriminatory basis.