Assistant / Associate Vice President of HR, Training and Performance

About the role

The Assistant / Associate Vice President of HR, Training and Performance provides strategic leadership to the Human Resources and Talent Development departments, ensuring alignment with the university's mission and high standards of service and performance. The role also includes supporting the VP for Administration and Finance with special projects and serving on various university committees to drive policy, compensation, and engagement initiatives.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Provides leadership, supervision, performance evaluation, coaching, guidance and encouragement to the Director of Human Resources (HR) and Director of Talent Development (TD).
• Leads the implementation of collective bargaining agreements, including establishing institutional processes and timelines to ensure effective and compliant roll-out through strategic leadership and advising on collective bargaining obligations, contract interpretation, and employee relations in a unionized environment.
• Guides and supports campus stakeholders through labor-relations change, ensuring consistent understanding and application of union agreements across academic and administrative units by fostering constructive labor-management relationships and engagement strategies development that promotes communication, trust, and collaboration as collective bargaining relationships are established.
• Ensures institutional compliance with collective bargaining agreements and applicable federal, state, and local labor laws, working closely with legal counsel as needed.
• Directs or supports contract negotiations and administration, as appropriate, including preparation for bargaining, coordinating institutional responses, and ensuring alignment with university priorities.
• Supports and assists the VP for Administration and Finance, coordinating special projects as needed.
• Provides strategic guidance to the Human Resources Director, ensuring the department’s strong commitment to the university and divisional mission, as well as a high level of customer service, performance, and effectiveness.
• Provides strategic guidance to the Talent Development Director, ensuring the department’s strong commitment to the university and divisional mission as well as a high level of customer service, performance, and effectiveness.
• Serves as the chair of the University Policy Committee (UPC), the JMU Compensation Advisory Council (CAC), chair of the A&F Engagement Council, a member of the Institute for the Stewardship of the Natural World (ISNW), the University Planning Team (UPT) and the Reengineering Madison Steering Committee.

Qualifications

• Undergraduate degree in Human Resources or a related field coupled with proven leadership experience in supervising and guiding human resources management, talent development, or a related field.
• Experience within a college or university system, a closely related field or an organization of equal or greater complexity and understanding higher education administration and governance structures.
• In-depth knowledge of HR practices, policies, and procedures and talent development strategies and programs.
• Demonstrated, significant leadership experience in labor relations and collective bargaining, preferably within a higher education or public-sector environment with strong knowledge of employment and labor laws applicable to unionized workplaces.
• Proven ability to advise executive leadership and work collaboratively with academic and administrative stakeholders with demonstrated skill in change management, stakeholder engagement, and conflict resolution during periods of organizational transition.
• Candidates must possess a fundamental understanding of all relevant laws, regulations, and practices to ensure compliance with governing agencies.
• The successful candidate will provide evidence of effective leadership to include operating in a culture of teamwork including trust, respect, and dignity.
• Candidates must possess a proven ability to create an environment where others are motivated to achieve shared goals.
• Excellent project management skills, with the ability to coordinate special projects and initiatives.
• Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills, with a high level of customer service.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to review and improve programs and processes.