Director/Associate Vice President For Human Resources

SUMMARY:

The Director and Associate Vice President for Human Resources (AVP/HR) at Hobart and William Smith Colleges will effectively steward the Colleges’ employee community and human capital assets by leading the development, advancement, and integration of the Colleges’ human resources and workforce. The AVP/HR will manage planning for human resources’ systems and support services; collaborate proactively and effectively with academic and administrative units to support and achieve goals related to hiring, diversity, retention and performance development; and coordinate and manage Human Resources’ staff and activities. The AVP/HR advises the President, Provost and Vice Presidents on all human resources’ matters including recruitment and retention, compensation, performance management, employee relations, workplace equity and diversity matters, and workplace regulatory compliance. Other areas of responsibility include training and development, employee health and safety, student employment, employee satisfaction, and budgetary management. The AVP/HR will serve as the Colleges’ 504 Compliance Officer and as Chair of the Hobart and William Smith Retirement Plan Committee.

Reporting to the Vice President and General Counsel, the position offers an opportunity for a senior level practitioner who is an exceptional listener and able to collaborate with a variety of institutional stakeholders to advance key institutional projects and initiatives related to human resource initiatives and the workplace.

VISION:

The optimal Hobart and William Smith Human Resources’ office will promote activities that enhance the quality of work-life and heighten the sense of community at the Colleges. The office will administer information and benefits with continual efficiency and effective service to employees, and handle employee problems with care and professionalism. Its open-door policy will welcome all employees, including students, encouraging them to fully utilize the office’s services. Employees will be assured that all matters are treated with respect, care, and confidentiality. Human Resources will support the mission of HWS and be seen as a critical resource on campus. The department will be visible and active, and will effectively and fairly resolve problems. Professionalism and capable management, and imagination and progressive engagement will be the cornerstones of office operations.

Human Resources’ staff is responsible for providing a vision and an integrated program of equity and inclusion efforts to enhance the Colleges’ mission and goals. Additionally, the staff must be committed to providing a comfortable and safe work environment that motivates and challenges employees to achieve their full potential. The AVP/HR and his/her staff will be proactive and advise and consult with employees on all aspects of human resources. The office will advance a shared vision for human resources that is broadly embraced throughout and beyond the campus, and will be widely seen as responsive, flexible, and service-oriented. It will oversee the recruitment, hiring, and retention of all administrative employees; train managers in contemporary practices; provide employees with technology-enabled access to their employment information, benefits and personal information; and provide guidance to supervisors in interviewing, recruiting, and fostering a diverse and dynamic workforce.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

The AVP/HR at Hobart and William Smith Colleges will:

• Ensure that the Colleges are in compliance with all federal and state regulations governing employment/benefits including, but not limited to, Title VII, Title IX, Section 504 and the Americans with Disabilities Act.
• Supervise and staff the Human Resources’ office, to include payroll processing, manage budgets, evaluate on an ongoing basis current benefit programs, and suggest cost saving alternatives. Achieve efficiencies in dealing with outside consultants, legal staff, and recruiting expenses.
• Work with/initiate faculty, staff, and student groups to develop or improve policies and prioritize campus needs. Create a realistic human resources’ agenda/strategic plan to guide the Colleges in making decisions.
• Participate in a broad range of general management issues, including policy formation and achievement of the Colleges’ strategic plan.
• Actively ensure that the Colleges recruit, hire and retain quality employees and lead the development of staff by conducting training and mentoring programs and overseeing the on-going use of the College’s performance-based evaluation system.
• Oversee hiring and compensation policies and procedures for all HWS employees, including student workers. Establish and maintain polices governing employment in the workplace. Develop a Supervisor’s Guide to Employment Policies and Procedures. Review, update and distribute the Employee Handbook and all guides to benefits and other information.
• Provide high-quality services and resources to all users and encourage a strong service orientation on the part of human resources’ staff. Develop effective working relationships with all constituents.
• Provide programs and policies that support the strategic importance of a broadly inclusive campus community and result in a workplace and learning environment that is welcoming and supportive for all faculty, staff and students.
• Proactively consult with members of the campus community on human resources’ issues. Evaluate on a continual basis human resources’ processes and technological systems in order to enhance efficiencies. Work with the HCM Team and other administrative units to enhance self-service capabilities (e.g. hourly time reporting, absence management, performance evaluations, etc.).
• Collaborate and serve as a resource for academic and administrative units as they establish, coordinate, and assess contributions to diversity goals.
• Drive and lead initiatives and projects that enhance and develop the Colleges’ workforce and the Colleges as a desired workplace with an emphasis on community building and collegiality.

A bachelor’s degree in an appropriate field, such as Human Resource Management, Labor Relations, or similar field, is required, and an advanced degree and PHR or SHRM certification is preferred. A minimum of ten years of progressively responsible experience in human resources in higher education preferred. The successful candidate should have leadership capability with progressive thinking about human resources and the willingness and ability to manage change. He or she must be able to effectively manage personnel and functions so that the Office of Human Resources delivers value and a competitive advantage to the institution. The individual must be capable of establishing clear job descriptions, processes and procedures, standards for administration and management of employees, and clear and helpful communication.

The AVP/HR must be an individual who listens well, is collegial, and is at all times perceived fair. The successful candidate should have excellent judgment, sensitivity and experience, and the ability to take a strong stand as appropriate on those important occasions when management looks to its human resources’ officer for decisive guidance. He or she should be able to work with senior management, faculty and staff, the Board of Trustees, and other constituents of the Colleges. The Colleges expect its AVP/HR to bring to the position a global perspective, an affinity for and sensitivity to the values and perspectives of different cultures, and a passion for understanding the community and contributing in a meaningful way to the Colleges’ overall culture and strategic plan. The AVP/HR must have:

• Experience with federal and state regulatory compliance
• Excellent writing and analytical skills
• Proven track record of hiring, inspiring, managing and retaining a diverse professional staff
• Experience with a variety of different employee classifications (i.e., "at will" employees, classified employees, tenured employees, etc.)
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
• Exceptional strategic leadership skills
• Demonstrated success in creating a collaborative environment that values operational effectiveness, superior customer service, and cultural alignment with institutional strategies and aspirations
• Demonstrated success as a change agent and collaborative leader involved in developing strategies for human resources

OTHER INFORMATION

This is a full-time, 12-month, benefits-eligible administrative salaried/exempt position. The salary is competitive and is negotiable depending on the strength of qualifications. The benefit package includes but is not limited to: 20 days of vacation each year; 10 paid holidays; medical, dental, and vision insurances; long-term disability coverage; life insurance; and retirement benefits. This position is not all-inclusive, as other tasks or responsibilities may be assigned.

Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled. Interested applicants are encouraged to submit a cover letter, resume and the names with contact information of at least three (3) professional references to our application service, Interfolio (utilizing the Apply link on the right). Background check required.

If you have a question or need help on uploading your application materials, please contact Interfolio's support team at [email protected] or call 1-877-997-8807 between the hours of 9:00 a.m. through 6 p.m., EST, Monday through Friday.