Assistant Vice President for Human Resources

Swarthmore College; Swarthmore (Delaware County); Hybrid; USD 180,000 - 215,000; Full time

Job summary

Swarthmore College invites an experienced human resources leader to serve as Assistant Vice President for Human Resources, partnering with the VP to shape a mission‑aligned HR strategy. The role focuses on talent management, learning and development, employee relations, and workforce innovation.

The AVP will lead high‑performing teams, optimize Workday, and advance organizational culture and inclusion. A senior, strategic partner with strong analytic and communication skills is sought, with a

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in human resources, business administration, or related field is required, advanced degree preferred.
• Eight or more years of progressively responsible HR leadership experience with a focus on talent management, learning and development, employee relations, or related areas.
• Proven success in leading talent acquisition, talent alignment, employee relations, and learning and development initiatives.
• Comprehensive knowledge of employment laws, regulations, and HR best practices.
• Experience conducting employee relations investigations and addressing complex workplace issues with sound judgment and discretion.
• Ability to build trust and credibility across diverse constituencies through a consultative and collaborative leadership style.
• Experience leveraging data, analytics, and technology to improve HR programs, decision‑making, and institutional effectiveness.
• Experience leading and developing high‑performing teams.
• Skill in change management and institutional transformation initiatives.
• Exceptional communication, relationship‑building, and problem‑solving skills.
• Unquestioned integrity, professionalism, discretion, and commitment to fostering an inclusive workplace culture.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership for talent management, talent alignment, and professional development.
• Strengthen employee relations practices and mitigate institutional risk.
• Advance learning, leadership development, and performance management.
• Strengthen organizational culture, employee engagement, and institutional effectiveness.
• Lead workforce innovation and partner with HR senior staff to optimize Workday.

Skills

HR leadership

Talent management

Learning & development

Employee relations

Talent acquisition

Stakeholder management

HR analytics

Team leadership

Change management

Communication skills

Ethics

Employment law knowledge

Technology in HR

AI in HR

Higher education familiarity

Title IX knowledge

Education

Bachelor’s degree in human resources, business administration, or related field

Advanced degree preferred

Tools

Workday

Job description

Assistant Vice President for Human Resources

Job no: 495943

Work type: Full Time

Location: Swarthmore

Categories: Staff, Salary (Exempt), Hybrid

Swarthmore College seeks an experienced human resources leader to advance a modern, mission‑aligned HR function. The AVP will partner with the Vice President for Human Resources to shape strategy that supports the College’s mission, academic excellence, and workforce needs.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership for talent management, talent alignment, and professional development.
• Strengthen employee relations practices and mitigate institutional risk.
• Advance learning, leadership development, and performance management.
• Strengthen organizational culture, employee engagement, and institutional effectiveness.
• Lead workforce innovation and partner with HR senior staff to optimize Workday.

Qualifications

Required

• Bachelor’s degree in human resources, business administration, or related field; advanced degree preferred.
• Eight or more years of progressively responsible human resources leadership experience with a focus on talent management, learning and development, employee relations, or related areas.
• Proven success in leading talent acquisition, talent alignment, employee relations, and learning and development initiatives.
• Comprehensive knowledge of employment laws, regulations, and human resources best practices.
• Experience conducting employee relations investigations and addressing complex workplace issues with sound judgment and discretion.
• Ability to build trust and credibility across diverse constituencies through a consultative and collaborative leadership style.
• Experience leveraging data, analytics, and technology to improve human resources programs, decision‑making, and institutional effectiveness.
• Experience leading and developing high‑performing teams.
• Skill in change management and institutional transformation initiatives.
• Exceptional communication, relationship‑building, and problem‑solving skills.
• Unquestioned integrity, professionalism, discretion, and commitment to fostering an inclusive workplace culture.

Preferred

• Experience with Workday or similar implementation, optimization, or administration.
• Familiarity with the opportunities and implications of artificial intelligence in workforce and human resources settings.
• Understanding of higher education and the liberal arts, or experience working within a mission‑driven and collaborative organization.
• Experience with Title IX in a higher education institution.

Compensation

Market range: $180,000 - $215,000 per year.

EEO Statement

Swarthmore College is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate based on any identity or characteristic protected by law or College Policy.

Applications close: Open until filled