Associate Vice President for Human Resources

The Chronicle Of Higher Education, Inc.; Aberdeen (SD); On-site; USD 100,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

N Northern State University is seeking an Associate Vice President for Human Resources to serve as the university's chief HR officer, providing strategic leadership and operational oversight for all HR functions and payroll services for the South Dakota School for the Blind and Visually Impaired.

The role partners with executive leadership to develop and implement HR initiatives aligning with the mission and board policies, leading recruitment, compensation, benefits, compliance, and HRIS across

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Management, Leadership, or a closely related field.
• Significant progressively responsible professional experience in human resources, including management and leadership responsibilities.
• Knowledge of employee relations, employment law, compensation, benefits, recruitment, organizational development, and HR information systems.
• Excellent communication, interpersonal, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and build collaborative relationships across the organization.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership for all Human Resources operations.
• Advise leadership on workforce planning, organizational development, and employee relations.
• Lead recruitment, hiring, onboarding, and retention initiatives for faculty, staff, and administrators.
• Oversee employee relations, investigations, performance management, and corrective action processes.
• Ensure compliance with employment laws and Board of Regents policies, including FLSA, FMLA, ADA, ACA, Title VII, Title IX, and EEO requirements.
• Manage HR information systems, workforce reporting, and personnel records.
• Oversee payroll operations within a complex system governing Board of Regents campuses.
• Support organizational effectiveness through strategic planning and data-informed decision-making.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Employee relations

Communication

Analytical

Problem solving

Education

Bachelor's degree in HR/Business

Master's degree in HR/Business/Leadership

Tools

HR information systems

Payroll systems

Job description

Associate Vice President for Human Resources

Posting Number: NFE03162P

Department: NSU-Finance & Administration

Physical Location of Position (City): Aberdeen

Northern State University invites applications for the position of Associate Vice President for Human Resources, an exceptional opportunity for an experienced human resources professional to serve as the University's chief HR officer.

Reporting to the Vice President for Finance and Administration, the Associate Vice President for Human Resources provides strategic leadership and operational oversight for all human resource functions while fostering a culture of excellence, engagement, and service across campus. This position also provides comprehensive human resources and payroll services to the South Dakota School for the Blind and Visually Impaired, making it a unique opportunity to support two outstanding public institutions dedicated to education and student success.

The Associate Vice President for Human Resources serves as a trusted advisor to executive leadership, managers, faculty, and staff on all aspects of human resources. This position is responsible for developing and implementing strategic HR initiatives that support the University's mission and strategic plan while ensuring compliance with federal, state, and South Dakota Board of Regents policies. The successful candidate will lead initiatives in recruitment and retention, employee relations, performance management, compensation and classification, benefits administration, compliance, organizational development, payroll oversight, and HR information systems.

Primary Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership for all Human Resources operations.
• Advise leadership on workforce planning, organizational development, and employee relations.
• Lead recruitment, hiring, onboarding, and retention initiatives for faculty, staff, and administrators.
• Oversee employee relations, workplace investigations, performance management, and corrective action processes.
• Ensure compliance with employment laws and Board of Regents policies, including FLSA, FMLA, ADA, ACA, Title VII, Title IX, and EEO requirements.
• Manage HR information systems, workforce reporting, and personnel records.
• Oversee payroll operations within a complex system governing Board of Regents campuses.
• Support organizational effectiveness through strategic planning and data‑informed decision‑making.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Management, Leadership, or a closely related field.
• Significant progressively responsible professional experience in human resources, including management and leadership responsibilities.
• Demonstrated knowledge of employee relations, employment law, compensation, benefits, recruitment, organizational development, and HR information systems.
• Exceptional communication, interpersonal, analytical, and problem‑solving skills.
• Ability to exercise sound judgment, maintain confidentiality, and build collaborative relationships across the organization.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Leadership, or a related field.
• PHR, SPHR, SHRM‑CP, or SHRM‑SCP professional certification.
• Experience working in higher education or another complex public‑sector organization.

Posting Date: 08/04/2026

Closing Date:

Open Until Filled: Open Until Filled

First Consideration Date: 08/24/2026

Advertised Salary: Depends on Experience