Assistant Vice President for Human Resources

Company Description:

SUNY Empire proudly serves 16,000 students through online, hybrid, and in-person instruction across New York state, the region, and the world. Established in 1971 as the innovative branch of the State University of New York, SUNY Empire is a recognized national leader in serving working adults - including parents, veterans, and military-affiliates - through flexible programs that meet workforce needs and provide support through mentoring and prior learning assessment. The institution offers a broad range of associate, bachelor's, master's, doctoral, and certificate programs and is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education. SUNY Empire's 94,000 alumni are entrepreneurs, nurses, teachers, businesspeople, and leaders in their communities and their fields. Visit www.esc.edu and follow us on social media @SUNYEmpire.

SUNY Empire is committed to creating a multicultural, inclusive academic and work environment. All qualified applicants receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status. We believe that a diverse faculty is critical to academic excellence and prepares students to live and work in an increasingly global world.

Job Description:

SUNY Empire State College seeks a dynamic and influential Assistant Vice President for Human Resources who will be responsible for the strategic and collaborative leadership of the department of Human Resources. The AVP for Human Resources reports directly to the Vice President for Administration and Finance and is a member of the campus administration. 

The Assistant Vice President (AVP) for Human Resources will be responsible for the administration of the human resources department including but not limited to recruitment, employment, classification/compensation, benefits, employee labor relations, policy implementation, staff training and development.  

The incumbent will work closely with the college president, vice presidents, deans, directors, and chairs on all aspects of the college's activities to provide subject-matter expertise and guidance in all areas related to employee labor relations.  The AVP will develop and direct the strategic planning and long-range goals for the Office of Human Resources and will contribute to the institution's organizational strategic planning goals.  

The position serves as the college's affirmative action and ethics officer and oversees college-wide Title IX. In this role, the incumbent will lead with integrity and will promote and empower a culture where employees own and embrace the highest level of professional and ethical standards. The AVP for Human Resources will partner with the chief diversity officer to foster a climate of diversity, inclusiveness, and respect.  

Major Responsibilities include: 

• Ensure that human resources is a center of excellence in all matters related to employee engagement. This includes motivation, development, leadership, and performance management. The AVP for HR will provide pragmatic, legally sound, best practice counsel, and where necessary, ongoing support, coaching and guidance to leadership. 
• Develop and implement sound human resource operating policies and procedures that provide a high level of service to the campus community while ensuring compliance with applicable federal and New York State laws and regulations, State University of New York system policies, and collective bargaining agreements. 
• Serve as the President's designee for labor relations. This includes monthly labor management meetings, coaching/counseling process, investigations, responding to grievances, and administration of the collective bargaining agreements. 
• Collaborate with the Office of Diversity and Inclusion on strategic plan initiatives associated with hiring and recruitment policies, practices and procedures for faculty and staff positions. 
• Develop ways to maximize employee retention through a comprehensive program that includes new employee orientation, engagement, assistance programs, training, professional development, and recognition. 
• Evaluate departmental procedures to streamline and/or automate processes, improve customer service, reduce paper-flow, and improve human resources data management; and implement changes as required. 
• Use data to support informed decision making as it relates to workforce planning, compensation and classification. 
• Supervise and lead a staff of 7 or more and their respective functional areas.  

The successful candidate will demonstrate the ability to: 

• Work with and across all levels of the organization, including the capability to diplomatically influence executive leadership team members, and to establish and maintain a highly ethical reputation. 
• Demonstrate an openness to different viewpoints and communicate in a manner which demonstrates sensitivity and respect for diverse backgrounds and experiences. 
• Demonstrate a commitment to contemporary issues of inclusion, social justice, diversity, access and equity. 
• Communicate effectively, through written and verbal communication, with all members of the college community and external agencies.

Requirements:

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution. 
• At least 10 years of progressively responsible HR leadership experience. 
• Demonstrated experience in a culturally diverse environment and a strong commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion.
• Thorough knowledge of employment law and compliance at the local, state, and federal levels. 
• Experience with collective bargaining environment and labor relations in a large complex organization, public sector or higher education. 
• Demonstrated experience consulting and advising leadership on HR programs, issues, policies, requirements, obligations, and opportunities. 

Preferred Qualifications:

• JD or Master's degree in a relevant field   
• Society for Human Resources Management (SHRM) certification. 
• Higher-education or public-sector human resource experience in a senior leadership or supervisory role. 
• Experience creating equitable and inclusive recruitment strategies, succession planning, workforce development, and retention plans. 

Special Information:

• This position is located in Saratoga Springs, NY.
• Travel to college locations across NYS is required.
• VISA sponsorship is not available for this position.

Additional Information:

Rank/Salary: Management Confidential / Salary commensurate with qualifications and experience.  

Empire State College is an EOE employer.

We are pleased to offer our employees a generous compensation and benefits package. We also offer professional-development activities for professionals and support staff, as well as faculty-development opportunities that encourage pursuit of disciplinary and community-focused research, scholarship of teaching and learning, and leadership development. 

IF YOU NEED A DISABILITY-RELATED ACCOMMODATION, PLEASE CALL THE ADA COORDINATOR AT (518) 587-2100, ext. 2240. IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE TITLE II CRIME AWARENESS AND SECURITY ACT, A COPY OF OUR CRIME STATISTICS IS AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST BY CALLING (518) 587-2100, ext. 2800. IT CAN ALSO BE VIEWED ON-LINE AT THE SAFETY AND SECURITY WEBSITE AT http://www.esc.edu/safety-security

Application Instructions:

Applications Due By: The review of applications will begin immediately and will be accepted until the position is filled.

If you are interested in applying for this position, please submit the following documents, which are required for consideration by clicking on the APPLY NOW button:

• Resume
• Cover letter
• Name and contact information of three references

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