Vice President for Workforce Diversity, Human Resources and Professional Development

Wichita State University is a public research university that was founded in 1895 and is located in Wichita, Kansas. Wichita State is the only urban-based research university in Kansas and is known as the most affordable research university of our peers. The university has a combined enrollment of 20,978 students between the university and its partnership with WSU Tech. The university’s beautiful 330-acre main campus is a supportive, rapidly expanding learn-work-live-play environment, where students gain knowledge and credentials to prepare for fulfilling lives and careers. Wichita State has the most diverse student body in Kansas, with students from all 50 states, 111 countries, and 6 continents. Underrepresented minorities make up 18.7% of all students and 12.7% of employees. Wichita State is one of the top 50 engineering schools in the US and is recognized as a NASA space grant institution. In addition to its academic excellence, Wichita State excels in athletics with the top five winning percentage in NCAA men’s basketball in the last decade and the top five winning percentage in NCAA baseball history.

Wichita is the largest, and one of the most prosperous, cities in the state of Kansas with an estimated population of 645,000 in the metro area. Wichita boasts a rich history that includes oil industries and aircraft manufacturing plants. Enhanced by public art and sculptures, the city has evolved into one of the most happening places in the heart of the Midwest. Wichita was ranked in the Top 100 best places to live (USA Today) and 9th among the list of 10 Best Places to Live in the U.S. (CNN Money Magazine). While it offers amenities of a city, Wichita’s overall cost of living is nine percent lower than the national urban area average. Cost of living, short commutes, and cultural convenience are some of the reasons why young professionals, families, and empty-nesters alike are seeking a home in the “Air Capitol City”.

Position: Wichita State has an opportunity for an experienced leader to join an institution that is embarking on a very exciting future. We are seeking a strategic thought partner and inclusive leader that will build upon existing and create missing elements for a comprehensive approach to improved diversity, professional development, and human resource efforts across the university community. The position is a member of the President’s executive team and reports directly to the President. The Vice President for Workforce Diversity, Human Resources, and Professional Development will provide vision and leadership to ensure that Wichita State University’s Human Resources area is aligned with institutional priorities, including affiliated institutions. The position will be attuned to changing workplace demographics, and supportive of individual employees. The position will work with other members of the leadership team to drive performance improvement and operational excellence throughout the institution. This individual will build successful human resources programs around diversity and inclusion, employee satisfaction, talent acquisition, talent management, learning and development, leadership and organizational development, compensation, and benefits.

The individual will represent the President and/or the University in the region and the nation regarding university efforts on diversity, inclusion, and professional development. The responsibilities include serving as or supervising the University’s Chief Diversity Officer. This includes working with peer institutions across the country and the Executive Vice President in the recruitment of a diverse pool of Post-Doctoral candidates and leading a culture of innovation, accountability, and inclusive excellence.

Minimum Education:
Master’s degree required in Human Resources, or a related field, from an accredited institution. A Doctoral degree, as well as professional certifications (such as PHR, SPHR, SHRM-CP, SHRM-SCP, HRMP, HRBP and CCP), are strongly preferred.

Minimum Experience:
• Five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in an executive management level position within human resources and/or workforce diversity departments
• Five (5) years encompassing a full range of human resources disciplines
• Experience in a comprehensive, public sector and collective bargaining environment

Wichita State University is committed to inclusive excellence. Wichita State University recruits, employs, trains, compensates, and promotes regardless of age, ancestry, color, disability, ethnicity, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, national origin, parental status, political affiliation, pregnancy, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, or status as a veteran.

Wichita State University has a clear goal in this regard: to be the place where our talented faculty and staff reflect and promote the evolving diversity of our society. We pride ourselves on being the most innovative university in Kansas, delivering the best educational experience to our students with the distinction for opening pathways to real-life learning, applied research, and career opportunities. Our campus provides an experience that promotes all forms of diversity, equity, and inclusion, a place to come learn, work, live, and play.

Additional information about Wichita State University may be found at www.wichita.edu, the Human Resources department at www.wichita.edu/hr , and a bio of President Jay Golden at https://www.wichita.edu/administration/president/golden_bio.php . Interest in the position may be expressed by submitting an electronic application to the job posting for the Vice President for Workforce Diversity, Human Resources, and Professional Development at https://jobs.wichita.edu/ .

This position will remain open until filled.  However, priority consideration will be given to those who complete the application process by 8/25/20.

Wichita State University does not discriminate in its employment practices, educational programs or activities on the basis of age, ancestry, color, disability, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, national origin, political affiliation, pregnancy, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, or status as a veteran.