Associate Vice President Human Resources

Associate Vice PresidentHuman ResourcesJob # 554938Close Date: April 12, 2026Click Here for Full Vacancy Announcement(Job # 554938) Administrator III, Associate Vice President, Human Resources, CSU Classification Salary Range: $6,891– $22,119 per month, Anticipated Hiring Range: $6,891 - $17,063 per month. Final salary placement is commensurate with experience, internal equity, and budget considerations. Position Summary:The Associate Vice President (AVP), Human Resources (HR) develops and implements the university’s human resources strategy in support of the university’s strategic plan. The AVP HR is a human resources partner and advisor to Cal Poly Humboldt’s senior leaders on human resources matters. The AVP HR leads the Office of Human Resources and provides strategic and day-to-day oversight of the university’s HR functions. This position provides the vision and strategic leadership necessary for planning and implementing innovative, integrated human resource programs.Reporting to the Vice President for Administration and Finance, the AVP HR provides leadership and direction to professional and support staff. This leadership enables the development of university-wide human resource strategies implemented through key functional areas including employee relations, compliance, organizational learning and professional development, benefits, recruitment, classification and compensation, and payroll.Key Responsibilities:Human Resources Management and Administration - 70% Leadership Responsibilities Lead all core Human Resources areas including employee relations, compliance, organizational learning and professional development, benefits, recruitment, classification and compensation, and payroll. Serves as a key partner to leadership, providing strategic counsel on workforce planning, talent management, employee engagement, and organizational effectiveness.Guide a team of human resources professionals and ensure that the department provides high-quality, timely, and transparent service to the campus community. Serves as a visible, trusted partner, building relationships through active listening and collaboration, while identifying opportunities to streamline processes, improve policies, and enhance service delivery.Promote a culture that integrates and empowers Human Resources staff, supports cross-functional collaboration, and strengthens communications and relationship building efforts throughout the campus community.Employee Relations:Provide leadership in navigating labor and employee relations, building collaborative relationships with unions, address employee grievances, conduct investigations into workplace misconduct, and resolve complex personnel matters, while promoting a culture of accountability and professionalism.• Oversee contract interpretation of grievance procedures• Advise and assist President's Office, President's designees, and managers on handling of grievances and grievance responses• Represent University at arbitration and PERB hearingsOrganizational Structure: • Advise and assist administrators on department organization issues, such as supervision, classification, assignment of duties, best use of current staff, dynamics of the unit, campus equity, etc.Employee Performance/Development:• Serve as resource for managers and supervisors on work performance issues/resolutions and contract interpretation regarding evaluation process.Compensation and Classification:• Maintain and interpret campus guidelines and procedures for compensating staff employees and describing and classifying positions• Lead and conduct in-depth salary analyses to assess internal equity, market competitiveness, and compliance with CSU, state, and collective bargaining requirements. Interpret complex compensation data to inform leadership, support strategic workforce planning, and develop evidence-based recommendations.• Maintain and interpret campus guidelines and procedures for compensating staff employees and describing and classifying positions• Participate in review of draft classification standards for the Chancellor's Office• Oversight of Independent Contractor requests to ensure ongoing compliance with AB5 and Chancellor’s Office regulations. Make recommendations when needed for alternative options.Staff and Administrative Recruitment ProgramEnsure that all staff and administrative recruitments comply with all laws, regulations and policies governing the hiring process, including maintenance of appropriate documentationRespond to questions and concerns from campus management regarding recruitment and employment standardsProvide recruitment strategies that will create diverse applicant poolsEEO/Compliance Officer – 20%Ensure compliance with federal and state law, as well as CSU systemwide policies, in coordination with University Counsel.Coordinate all Equal Employment activities for the campus, including:Mandatory Sexual Harassment Prevention TrainingAffirmative Action ReportWhistleblower Complaints and ProtectionsCivil Rights Complaints and InvestigationsAdministrative Oversight – 20%BudgetAttendanceInternal Office Policies/ProceduresPerformance Evaluation ReviewOther Duties as Assigned – 5%Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Associated with this Position Include: Demonstrated knowledge of collective bargaining agreements and labor-management relations.Demonstrated experience overseeing and resolving civil rights complaints and investigations, in compliance with federal, state, and CSU requirements.Understanding of payroll systems and administrationMust have an understanding of academic/faculty, staff, and student employment in a shared governance environment.Strong commitment to service and personal accountability.Demonstrated record of building and maintaining strong, trusting and collaborative relationships across organizational lines.Demonstrated history of building a strong and cohesive team that excels in customer service and support.Demonstrated success in a service-focused environment and commitment to customer engagement.Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to engage stakeholders at all levels of an organization.Strong writing and presentation skills, with the ability to create effective communications for broad public distribution.Outstanding analytic skills and demonstrated ability to apply data to program and operational design to strategically drive organizational change.Demonstrated leadership skills, management, and supervisory experience. Ability to successfully formulate and implement forward-thinking strategies.Ability to develop and inspire a diverse professional staff.Ability to develop, lead and manage the design and implementation of human resources management functions and projects in a complex and unionized organization.Ability to represent the University effectively and professionally.Demonstrated interest and/or ability to work in a multicultural/multiethnic environment.Minimum Qualifications: EducationBachelor’s degree from an accredited college or universityExperienceSix (6) years of experience in:A broad knowledge of human resource functions as well as management experience acquired through increasingly responsible positions over a period of not less than five years in a college/university of comparable size and complexity; state or federal government agency; or the private sector.Three (3) or more of the following HR functions: HR strategy, HR leadership, talent acquisition, classification and compensation, benefits, onboarding, engagement, performance management, succession planning, learning and development, organization development, HR technology change management, union and labor relations, and HR complianceExperience with collective bargaining agreements and labor- management relationsScaling HR functions for evolution and growthExperience as a program builder and as an effective champion for organizational changeVerifiable reputation for a collaborative, people-centered work approach*Note: A combination of additional qualifying experience, education, and HR certifications may be substituted for the bachelor's degree on a year-for-year basisPreferred Qualifications: Degree from an accredited college or university in a related field.Professional HR Certification such as SHRM and/or SPHR-CA, or equivalent.Experience working in a college or university setting with a diverse and unionized workforce, and familiarity with labor relations, union environments, and California employment law.Leadership experience in higher educationDemonstrated record of being an effective communicator who can successfully support and advance issues that impact faculty, staff, administrators, students, and the University in generalFamiliarity with the California State University SystemExperience handling grievances, investigations, and Civil Rights ComplaintsExperience with PeopleSoft HRIS systems10 years of strong generalist Human Resources experience across all functional disciplines with increasing levels of responsibilityApplication Procedure: To apply, qualified candidates must electronically submit the following materials by clicking the Apply Now button:Letter of InterestResume or Curriculum VitaeContact information for at least three supervisory referencesApplication Deadline: The deadline to submit application materials is 11:55 p.m. on April 12, 2026.