Executive Director of Human Resources

Employment Status: Administrative

Description of Key Responsibility:

• Lead and manage the Office of Human Resources, including supervision and development of staff; establish goals, priorities, and performance expectations while maintaining direct awareness of departmental operations.

• Provide strategic leadership for the College’s human resources function in alignment with the institution’s mission, values, and strategic priorities.

• Serve as a strategic partner to the President, Cabinet, and senior leadership on workforce planning, organizational effectiveness, employee relations, and the faculty and staff experience.

• Develop and implement strategies for recruitment, onboarding, engagement, retention, leadership development, and succession planning that support the College’s commitment to attracting and supporting high-quality faculty and staff.

• Oversee compensation, classification, performance management, payroll, benefits administration, and other employee lifecycle processes, ensuring accuracy, equity, responsiveness, and fiscal responsibility.

• Develop, implement, and continuously improve onboarding and orientation processes that introduce new faculty and staff to the College, its organizational structure, and its mission and core values.

• Oversee employee relations, including grievance processes, investigations, and resolution of employment-related concerns, ensuring prompt, equitable, and consistent responses.

• Ensure compliance with all applicable federal, state, and local employment laws and regulations; maintain awareness of legislative and regulatory changes affecting higher education and human resources practices.

• Develop, recommend, and administer human resources policies and procedures in collaboration with senior leadership and shared governance bodies.

• Provide leadership and oversight for the College’s human resources information systems ( HRIS ), including system administration, employee data integrity, reporting, and integration with payroll, benefits, onboarding, and other core human resources functions.

• Lead the implementation, optimization, and strategic use of the College’s HRIS platform (currently Paylocity), ensuring that the system advances the College’s goals for greater operational efficiency, improved service delivery, meaningful workforce reporting, and stronger decision support for institutional leaders.

• Leverage technology, data, and process improvement to strengthen human resources operations, enhance service to faculty and staff, and support the College’s aspirations for greater efficiency, effectiveness, and continuous improvement.

• In a small department environment, engage directly in operational work and problem-solving as needed to ensure continuity of services and effective support for faculty and staff.

• Recommend, evaluate, and provide leadership for training, professional development, wellness, and employee recognition programs.

• Serve on College-wide committees as appropriate and represent the institution on human resources and workforce-related matters.

• Perform other duties as assigned.

This position requires work outside of normal business hours, including evening and weekend hours, as necessary.

Education/Training:

Bachelor’s degree required in human resource management, business administration, employment law, organizational leadership, or a related field. A master’s degree is preferred.

Experience:

A minimum of five years of progressively responsible leadership experience in human resources or people and culture functions. Experience in higher education is strongly preferred. Experience administering or implementing HRIS platforms such as Paylocity, Workday, or similar enterprise human resources systems is preferred.

Licenses or Certifications:

Professional HR certification preferred (SHRM‑SCP, SHRM‑CP, or SPHR , PHR ).

Position Summary:

The Executive Director of Human Resources serves as the senior human resources leader for the College. As the College’s chief people officer, the Executive Director provides strategic leadership and direct operational oversight for the full range of human resources functions. Reporting directly to the President, the Executive Director is a trusted advisor to the President and Cabinet on matters related to workforce planning, organizational effectiveness, employee relations, and the faculty and staff experience.

The Executive Director is responsible for leading a responsive, service-oriented human resources operation that advances the College’s commitment to recruiting, retaining, and supporting high-quality faculty and staff, recognizing that a strong faculty and staff experience is essential to a thriving campus community and the fulfillment of the College’s mission.

The position has college-wide responsibility for human resources strategy, policy, and service delivery, including recruitment and retention, onboarding, leadership development and succession planning, employee relations, performance management, payroll, benefits administration, compensation, compliance, and human resources technology. The Executive Director also oversees the administration and effective use of the College’s human resources information systems ( HRIS ) to ensure accurate employee data, reliable payroll and benefits processing, and meaningful workforce reporting.

In a small department environment, the Executive Director combines strategic perspective with hands-on leadership to ensure effective daily operations, high-quality service, and continuous improvement in human resources practices and processes.