Associate Vice President of Human Resources / CHRO

Winona State University; Winona (MN); On-site; USD 105,000 - 169,000; Full time

Job summary

Winona State University seeks an experienced Associate Vice President of Human Resources and Chief Human Resources Officer (AVP/CHRO) to lead all human resources functions, ensuring HR practices support the university’s mission, values, and long‑term goals while fostering a collaborative, inclusive, and high‑performing culture.

As a senior advisor to the President’s Cabinet, the AVP/CHRO provides strategic leadership on organizational strategy, workforce planning, labor relations, and employee

Qualifications

• Master’s degree or other advanced degree in HR, labor relations, or related field.
• Ten (10) years of professional HR experience in a complex organization.
• Demonstrated supervisory or managerial experience in HR.
• Experience with labor relations and collective bargaining agreement administration.
• Ability to pass criminal background check and authorization to review criminal history records.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership, vision, and direction for all HR functions across the university.
• Serve as senior advisor on organizational strategy, workforce planning, and employee engagement.
• Foster collaboration, inclusive, high-performing culture across campus.
• Ensure HR practices support the university’s mission and long-term goals.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Labor relations

Employee engagement

Workforce planning

Organizational strategy

HR policy development

Education

Master’s degree or higher in HR/related field

Job description

About the Position

The Associate Vice President of Human Resources and Chief Human Resources Officer (AVP/CHRO) provides strategic leadership, vision, and direction for all human resources functions across the university. As a key member of the President’s Cabinet, the AVP/CHRO serves as the senior advisor on organizational strategy, workforce planning, labor relations, and employee engagement. This role ensures that HR practices support the university’s mission, values, and long-term goals while fostering a collaborative, inclusive, and high-performing culture. This is a full-time/at-will administrator position. The salary range for this position is $105,407 - $169,114 with salary placement based upon qualifications and experience.

Qualifications

Minimum qualifications for this position include a Master’s degree or other advanced degree from an accredited institution in human resources, labor relations, employment law, business administration, organizational leadership or related field; Ten (10) years of professional human resource experience in a complex organization; Demonstrated supervisory or managerial experience in human resources; Experience with labor relations and collective bargaining agreement administration; and Ability to successfully pass a criminal background check and be authorized to review criminal history records information.

About Winona State University

Founded in 1858, Winona State University is a regional public university and the oldest member of the Minnesota State system. Offering more than 200 majors and programs, Winona State has the #1 Student Success Rate in the Minnesota State System with a 97 percent employment rate after graduation. With campuses in both Winona and Rochester, Winona State offers the best of both worlds. Winona State University's mission is to enhance the intellectual, social, cultural and economic vitality of the people and communities we serve: a community of learners improving our world. For more information, visit winona.edu.

About Winona

Widely known for its stunning natural setting, the Winona campus is nestled between picturesque bluffs and the Mississippi River - meaning rock climbing, paddle-boarding, hiking, and kayaking are within a mile of campus. Once one of the Midwest’s most prominent cities due to its location on the river, Winona enjoys a rich legacy of historic buildings and vintage homes. Winona State University is located in the heart of the city, with convenient access to shopping, outdoor recreation, social activities, and community resources. Winona is also home to a wide range of art, music, and theater opportunities, along with museums, collaborative creator spaces, and numerous festivals such as Mid-West Music Fest, Great River Shakespeare Festival, and Frozen River Film Festival. WSU’s Rochester campus is located in Minnesota’s third largest city - a dynamic hub for industry, arts, and culture, and consistently ranked as one of the best places to live in the U.S.

WSU is a member of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities

and is an equal opportunity educator and employer.