Place of Business:
Southwestern University 

Position Location:
Georgetown, Texas

Position Description:
Southwestern University, located in Georgetown has an opening for an Associate Vice President for Human Resources. The Associate Vice President for Human Resources (AVP), under general direction, provides executive-level leadership and guidance to the University’s HR operations. The AVP is responsible for creating and implementing a strategic vision that is legally compliant and based on best practice. The HR program will include a wide range of services that ensure the University attracts a talented and diverse workforce who remain engaged, motivated, and effective throughout their employment. This is an in-person, full-time, twelve-month, exempt position with full benefits who reports to the Vice President of Finance and Administration.

Southwestern University offers competitive salary and benefits including health, dental, life, long term disability, retirement, generous paid time off, under graduate tuition assistance for you and your dependents, access to athletic facilities, free parking and discounted meal rates. Southwestern University is a selective, undergraduate institution committed to a broad-based liberal arts, sciences, and fine arts education. Southwestern University is deeply committed to fostering a diverse educational environment and especially encourages applications from members of groups traditionally under-represented in academia. For information concerning the University, visit our Web site at www.southwestern.edu.

Duties and Responsibilities:
Primary Responsibilities:
• Develop and execute a strategic vision for the department and provide leadership and guidance in carrying out plans that help to accomplish the campus Strategic Plan, Tactical Plan, and division-wide strategic initiatives. Articulate department mission, objectives, and programs. Provide leadership for the department and create and monitor the department's annual budget and related fiscal duties.
• Provide overall leadership and coaching to the HR team. Responsible for a range of human resource services, including employment/talent acquisition, new employee onboarding, orientation, classification, compensation, benefit administration, immigration, leave, performance management, employee relations, retirement benefits, staff development and wellness programs.
• Build an engaging process for attracting talented applicants with diverse backgrounds to the University; collaborate with hiring managers/committees to ensure that those offered positions are eager to accept and those who are not offered positions still have a positive view of the University.
• Review of all job descriptions regularly and develop internal classification system. Lead campus efforts at ensuring market competitiveness through external benchmarking; work collaboratively with the Vice President for Finance and Administration to expand equity efforts. Use job descriptions as a foundation for meaningful performance management.
• Maintain a robust employee benefits program, keep abreast of all trends for benefit improvement or cost reduction. Develop a benefits communication plan that engages employees and helps them value their benefits package.
• Advise the University senior leadership, managers, and employees in matters related to HR. Act as counselor on sensitive employee relations issues to all parties.
• Remain current with all changes to laws that impact the employer-employee relationship. Ensure compliance with applicable labor, employment, immigration, and other regulations, as well as individual employment agreements.
• Review department's policies, procedures and practices regularly to ensure they meet the strategic needs of the campus and update procedures and practices as needed. Have full understanding of University policies, rules and procedures; identify and resolve any inconsistencies between various policies and existing practice. Ensure staff handbook is accessible and current.
• Maximize use and functionality of HR technology and systems. Develop and report on Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for routine reporting and capability for ad hoc reporting. Maintain all employment records and databases in accordance with law.
• Manage relationship with compliance training vendor (Vector); collaborate with functional leaders to ensure all members of the community complete mandatory training. Research, cost, and recommend best vehicle for on-going staff development, to include job skills, soft skills, and management skills.
• Maintain collaborative partnerships with senior leadership, Faculty Steering Committee Staff Steering Committee, and other stakeholders. Serve as member of Staff Steering Committee, Safety Committee, Emergency Response Team, and Chair the Retirement Plan Committee. Serve as Secretary for the Compensation Committee of the Board of Trustees.
• Participate on other various University committees and/or ad hoc committees as needed, manage special projects and perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications:
Position Requirements:
• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, or other related area.
• Ten years of progressively responsible experience in the Human Resources field with a minimum of five years management experience as the Chief Human Resources officer.
• Experience with (ERP)/information systems, electronic storage and routing.
• Demonstrated mastery of labor and employment regulations and ability to apply to policies, procedures, guidelines, and day-to-day practices.
• Extensive experience handling a wide range of employee relations matters.
• Experience with insurance contract development and negotiation.
• Technical knowledge of ERISA and IRS retirement plan regulations.
• Experience developing and administering comprehensive evaluation and compensation system.
• Demonstrated leadership skills, including a strong work ethic.
• Willingness to adhere to the University’s core values.
• Possess excellent interaction and communication skills (verbal and written).
• Have knowledge, understanding, and acceptance of cultural differences and the diversity within the campus and community.
• Demonstrated professional manner with all internal and external University constituents.
• Ability to be flexible, adjust to fluctuating priorities, and produce reliable work product.
• Proven ability to perform well in stressful situations.
• Ability to work on-site in a normal office environment, including sitting/standing at a desk and using a computer.

Preferred Position Requirements:
• Master’s degree in Human Resources, or other related area.
• More than ten years of experience in the Human Resources field with five or more years management experience as the chief Human Resources officer.
• Senior Professional in Human Resources national certification.
• Experience in institution of higher learning.

 
Management Responsibilities:
This position involves responsibility for others:
• Recruit, interview, hire, and train HR staff
• Oversee the daily workflow of the department and delegates work
• Evaluate job performance, including promotions and disciplinary actions
• Make salary recommendations in the context of the University’s pay program
• Encourage and supports professional growth and development for Human Resources staff
• Prepare, advocate for and manages HR budget.

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