Vice President Human Resources

About the Role

The Research Foundation for SUNY is seeking an exceptional Vice President of Human Resources to lead one of the most dynamic and impactful HR organizations in higher education research. This strategic HR leadership role requires a practitioner who has experienced the entire employee lifecycle—from recruitment through retirement—and understands how each stage contributes to building an engaged, high-performing workforce.

You will partner with executive leadership, the Board of Directors, SUNY System Administration, campus leadership, faculty, students, and colleagues across the SUNY system to advance a people strategy that supports one of the nation's largest research enterprises. Success in this role demands curiosity, agility, and the ability to transform ambitious ideas into practical solutions while thriving in a complex, highly regulated environment.

Responsibilities

• Lead HR strategy and operations across the full employee lifecycle, ensuring alignment with organizational goals.
• Develop and implement a people strategy that supports a large-scale research enterprise in higher education.
• Partner with executive leadership, the Board of Directors, and diverse stakeholders to drive HR initiatives.
• Serve as a liaison to the Board of Directors, supporting governance, development, and compliance activities.
• Navigate competing priorities in a mission-driven, highly compliant environment while fostering innovation.
• Influence without authority, lead through change, and inspire high-performing HR teams.
• Build trust and deliver exceptional service to faculty, students, and colleagues across the SUNY system.

Requirements

• Broad, hands-on HR leadership experience across the entire employee lifecycle (recruitment, employee relations, compensation, organizational development, HR operations, compliance, etc.).
• Deep expertise in one or more core HR disciplines.
• Experience serving as a liaison to a Board of Directors and supporting board governance.
• Proven ability to thrive in complex, highly regulated, mission-driven organizations.
• Strategic thinker with strong operational execution skills.
• Ability to influence stakeholders, lead change, and inspire teams.
• Curiosity, agility, and a problem-solving mindset to turn ambitious ideas into practical solutions.