Associate Vice President for Human Resources

South Dakota Board of Regents; Aberdeen (SD); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Northern State University invites applications for the position of Associate Vice President for Human Resources, the University’s chief HR officer. Reporting to Finance & Administration leadership and the Board of Regents HR team, the AVP provides strategic leadership and operational oversight for all HR functions while serving two institutions.

The role leads recruitment, compensation, benefits, compliance, HRIS, payroll, and organizational development to advance student and staff success.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Management, Leadership, or a related field.

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.

Skills

Strategic HR leadership

Workforce planning

Employee relations

Compensation & benefits

Talent acquisition

Education

Bachelor’s degree in HR or related field

Master’s degree preferred

Tools

HRIS

Job description

Associate Vice President for Human Resources

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Institution

Institution Northern State University

Working Title

Working Title Associate Vice President for Human Resources

Posting Number

Posting Number NFE03162P

Department

Department NSU-Finance & Administration

Physical Location of Position (City)

Posting Text

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 and the Board of Regents Chief HR Officer, 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. In addition, this position serves as a valued member of the SD Board of Regents HR Leadership team. 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

Posting Date 08/04/2026

Closing Date

Open Until Filled Yes

First Consideration Date

First Consideration Date 08/24/2026

Advertised Salary

Advertised Salary Depends on Experience

Duration of the Term

Duration of the Term 12 months

Appointment Percent

Appointment Percent 100%

Work Hours

8-5

Typical Hours Worked Per Week

Typical Hours Worked Per Week 40+

Appointment Type

Appointment Type Regular

Faculty Status

Faculty Status No

Scope of Search

Scope of Search External (includes Internal)

If internal, define scope of search

This position requires

This position requires Travel, Overnight stays, Valid Drivers License

If other, please indicate

Department Description and Cultural Expectations

Northern State University is a student-centered public university committed to academic excellence, innovation, and community engagement. Located in Aberdeen, South Dakota, Northern offers a collaborative campus environment where employees make a meaningful impact on students, faculty, staff, and the communities we serve. We seek an experienced HR leader who is passionate about developing people, improving organizational effectiveness, and serving as a trusted partner to campus leadership. Position will report directly to the Vice President for Finance & Administration

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

Northern State University is committed to building a welcoming culture of belonging and collegiality that respects diversity in knowledge, culture and world view. Northern seeks faculty and staff who will engage with individuals of diverse backgrounds, beliefs and perspectives to increase awareness, understanding, respect and opportunity for all.

Must be authorized to work in the U.S. Sponsorship is not available for this position.

Contact Information

Cognitive Requirements

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Protective Clothing/Equipment

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Physical Requirements

Please designate the physical requirements of this position Fine Finger Manipulation (keyboarding, pipefitting, bench work, etc), Lifting light, Repetitive Motion, Sitting for sustained periods of time, Standing for sustained periods of time, Use Both Hands, Use of Either Hand, Independently, Walking, Wrist Movement (twisting or rotating)

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Sensory Requirements

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Please check the appropriate response that describe the sensory requirements for this position. Color Vision, Hearing, Near Vision, Speaking, Vision (With and without corrective lenses)

Working Conditions & Exposures

Working Conditions or Exposures (or potential exposures) that this position may encounter during the course of the work day.

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If you have indicated Other Environment, if work tasks involve one or more of the above, or if further explanation is necessary, please use the space provided.

Supplemental Questions

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Notice to all applicants: If you are selected as a finalist, job references and a background check may be conducted.

South Dakota Board of Regents 306 E. Capital Ave, Suite 200 Pierre, SD 57501 605-773-3455