Vice President for Human Resources

About the role

The Vice President for Human Resources (VPHR) is a pivotal opportunity for a mission-driven leader to help one of the world’s most influential universities meet the current moment, advance a future-focused people strategy, strengthen workplace culture and service, and build the organizational resilience and capacity required for Harvard to thrive in its next chapter.

Responsibilities

• Set the strategic vision for Human Resources across the University.
• Advocate for a progressive, service-oriented, multi-year, and business-aligned “strategy for people” that supports Harvard’s teaching, research, and administrative mission while balancing institutional needs, employee experience, and financial sustainability.
• Build on a strong HR foundation to strengthen the University’s ability to attract, develop, engage, and retain exceptional talent; foster a culture of respect, inclusion, accountability, and belonging; modernize HR policies, practices, and service models; and position HR as a trusted, data-informed, forward-looking, and high-touch partner.
• Mentor, develop, and elevate a team of six direct reports who oversee approximately 180 staff across the Center for Workplace Development, HR Operations, Workforce Analytics and Employee Communications, Human Resources Consulting, Labor and Employee Relations, Talent Acquisition and Outreach, and Total Rewards.

Requirements

• Experience as the senior-most HR leader in a highly matrixed or decentralized organization of similar scale, complexity, and mission orientation is strongly preferred.
• A bachelor’s degree is required; an advanced degree in human resources, business, organizational development, higher education administration, law, public administration, or a related field is preferred.
• Relevant professional certifications or equivalent executive experience in complex, mission-driven organizations will also be considered.

Qualifications

• A comprehensive leadership profile can be found here.

Skills

• Strategic thinking and execution.
• Strong business and financial acumen.
• Judgment, credibility, and relationship-building skills.
• Ability to engage effectively with senior leaders, school-based HR leaders, faculty and administrative leaders, managers, staff, and union partners.
• Leadership and management experience in a large, decentralized, shared governance environment.
• Knowledge of current HR best practices, emerging workforce trends, and constructive labor and employee relations strategies in complex organizations with varied employee populations.

Benefits

Harvard offers a comprehensive benefits package that is designed to support a healthy work-life balance and your physical, mental and financial wellbeing. This includes generous paid time off, medical, dental, and vision health insurance coverage, retirement plans with university contributions, wellbeing and mental health resources, professional development opportunities, commuter benefits, discounts and campus perks, and more.

Pay

This position is salary grade level 064. Please visit Harvard's Salary Ranges to view the corresponding salary range and related information.

Schedule

This position has been determined by school or unit leaders that some of the duties and responsibilities can be effectively performed at a non-Harvard location. The work schedule and location will be set by the department at its discretion and based upon operational needs. When not working at a Harvard or Harvard-designated location, employees in hybrid positions must work in a Harvard registered state in compliance with the University’s Policy on Employment Outside of Massachusetts.