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Washtenaw Community College
Chief Human Resources
Officer
Academic Career & Executive Search is pleased to assist Washtenaw Community College in its search for
Chief Human Resources Officer.
For full consideration, please apply by April 24th.
The is an exciting opportunity to join Michigan’s #1 Community College in one of America’s top college
cities. Reporting to the President and serving on the President’s Executive Leadership Team, the Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO)
is responsible for integrating human resource services across Washtenaw Community College (WCC), a large and diverse public college with
1,300 + full-time and part-time employees. The next CHRO is a visionary leader who excels in strategic human resource planning and is adept
at sourcing and acquiring top-tier talent to position the college as the Employer of Choice.
The CHRO is a collaborative leader and
skilled relationship builder with a strong pulse on workforce trends and changes in the business environment. Partnering with college
leadership, the CHRO will develop long and short-term strategies and services that meet the workforce and business needs of the College. The
CHRO will also provide insight and guidance to help drive business strategy and value, build organizational strategic alignment to support
execution of institutional goals, and focus on shared responsibility for managing talent, managing culture, and building workforce
capability. The successful candidate is skilled at negotiating and administering collective bargaining agreements for multiple collective
bargaining units including faculty.
This position reports to the President.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
- Provide strategic leadership and direction to all facets of human resources management as it pertains to employees of the
college.
- Directly participate in executive planning and decision making for the human resource function and the
institution as a whole.
- Provide counsel to the President and Executive Leadership Team members on all matters related to
human resources. Create presentations and deliver them to the Board of Trustees as directed by the President.
- Play a key
leadership role on the Executive Leadership Team in the development of college-wide policies, goals and plans and work collaboratively with
the executive team in the implementation of the initiatives of the strategic plan and in the accomplishment of the goals and mission of the
college. Direct the management of the college’s human resources department ensuring that all HR programs and initiatives are effective
in supporting the overall mission, goals, and objectives of the college. - Partner with college leadership to deliver value added HR
service to college department management that aids in the achievement of department and college wide objectives, including providing
guidance and input on department restructuring, workforce planning, and succession planning. - Work closely with management and
employees to improve employee relations, build morale, increase productivity and retention. - Direct the staff recruitment and
employment processes, ensuring that all Federal and State laws, regulations and standards are met and that the college’s equal opportunity
and diversity goals are met. Oversee the discharge of all staff. - Collaborate with the Chief Labor Relations Officer in the
negotiation and administration of the college’s labor contracts. - Provide strategic direction and oversight of the college’s
staff wage and salary programs; ensure regulatory compliance and competitive salary levels necessary to attract and retain qualified
staff. - Oversee the design and administration of health care and other employee benefit plans.
- Develop employee relations
strategies and programs designed to minimize and mediate workplace disputes and foster a positive work environment.
- Design, establish and maintain a human resource department organizational structure to effectively accomplish the college’s goals
and objectives. - Oversee, recruit, train, supervise and evaluate human resource department staff.
- Evaluate and revise human
resource department procedures to streamline and/or to automate processes, improve customer service, reduce paper flow, and improve human
resources data management. - Develop and manage annual budgets for the human resource department and perform periodic cost and
productivity analysis. - Provide training and organizational development programs that are in alignment with the college strategic
plan and address health and safety, legal compliance, personal and professional needs of college employees and departments. - Collaborate with college General Counsel regarding labor and employment issues and related regulations.
- Perform other duties as
assigned by the President.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
- Master’s degree in human resource
management, labor relations, or a closely related field from a regionally accredited college or university. - Experience with labor
contract bargaining and labor contract administration. - At least eight years of progressively more responsible full-time work
experience as a human resources professional. - Strong communication skills in order to serve as a spokesperson for the college
during collective bargaining and to effectively communicate with staff, administrators and faculty on a wide variety of human resource
matters are required. - Ability to exhibit leadership, initiative, enthusiasm, teamwork and collaboration with faculty,
administration, staff and external constituents in the execution of the responsibilities of the position is required. - Knowledge of
organizational development theory and practice.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Skill and experience
in examining and re-engineering human resources operations and procedures, formulating human resources policy and developing and
implementing new human resources strategies and procedures. - Experience working in higher education.
- Prior work experience
as a human resources executive at the vice president or assistant vice president level.
About the
Institution
Washtenaw Community College was established in 1965, when Washtenaw County voters passed a millage to provide
financial support for a countywide community college. WCC opened with a 6-member Board of Trustees, a newly appointed president, and a
parcel of land in Ann Arbor and Superior Townships. Classes started in September 1966 on a temporary campus at Willow Run, with 1200
students enrolled in 30 occupational programs and a transfer curriculum.
From this modest beginning, WCC has grown into one
of the nation’s premier community colleges with an annual enrollment of more than 18,000 students in credit classes each year, and
thousands more in Economic and College Development classes. The diverse student body includes more than 1,000 students from 100+ foreign
countries. The 285-acre campus and strategically located extension centers, operating resources, technology-enabled facilities, and
instructional quality are the envy of post-secondary education institutions near and far.
Living in the Area
Ann Arbor, with a population of 120,000, is consistently ranked “Best of” in numerous categories by multiple sources
including being #1 in the Top 100 Best Places to Live ranking in 2018 conducted by Livability. The city hosts the best schools and
universities in the entire state of Michigan and education is a priority for Ann Arbor locals. With more than 90% of residents living within
a 10-minute walk of a public park, Ann Arbor ranks high in walkability. Charming streets lined with bookstores, shopping, and unique
culinary offerings set the backdrop for street fairs and a thriving arts scene. There are endless opportunities for sports, hiking and to
enjoy nature along the Huron River which runs through the center of town. The city has lower unemployment and crime rates than the national
average.
To Apply
For full consideration, please apply by April 24th.
To be viewed by the search firm, you must apply directly at: https://acesrch.applicantstack.com/x/detail/a21esjyuitft
Please apply through the
application link and do not email applications.
Applications will be reviewed as they are received and should include a cover letter
and curriculum vita. Ideally cover letters should not exceed two pages. All applications are treated confidentially.
Inquiries,
referrals, and nominations are also treated confidentially
Inquiries and questions: Please send to [email protected]
Nominations and referrals: Please send the
nominee’s name, title, and contact information if available to [email protected].
WCC EEO/AA Statement
Washtenaw Community College is an
equal opportunity/affirmative action employer.
Washtenaw Community College does not
discriminate on the basis of religion, race, color, national origin, age, sex, height, weight, marital status, disability,
veteran status, or any other protected status as provided for and to the extent required by federal and state statutes. Nor does the college
discriminate on the basis of sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression.
Washtenaw Community College is
committed to providing access and reasonable accommodation in its services, programs, activities, education and employment for individuals
with disabilities.
Please visit Washtenaw Community College’s Office of Diversity and Inclusion for more
information and upcoming events.
