Chief Human Resources Officer

Insero Talent Solutions; City of Rochester (NY); On-site; USD 142,000 - 167,000; Full time

Job summary

St. John Fisher University seeks an Assistant Vice President for Human Resources to lead HR strategy, programs, and compliance across the university. Reporting to the CFO, the AVP aligns HR initiatives with institutional goals and fosters an inclusive campus culture.

The role leads talent management, employee relations, performance management, and policy development, ensuring efficient operations and enterprise-wide collaboration. On-campus, with a strong emphasis on strategic partnerships.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in HR, Business Administration, Higher Education Administration, or related field.
• Minimum of 8 years of progressive HR leadership experience in higher education preferred.
• Demonstrated expertise in employment law and regulatory compliance (federal and NYS).
• Budget management and vendor oversight experience.

Responsibilities

• Provides leadership for HR operations and staff.
• Ensures high-quality delivery of HR programs and services.
• Develops workforce planning and succession strategies.
• Oversees recruitment, onboarding, and retention strategies.

Skills

Leadership

Strategic Planning

Employee Relations

Budget Management

Policy Compliance

Change Management

Communication

Talent Management

Performance Management

Collaboration

Education

Master’s degree in HR / Business / Higher Education

8+ years HR leadership experience

Employment law & regulatory compliance

SHRM-SCP or SPHR (preferred)

Job description

Insero Talent Solutions is honored to have been exclusively retained to conduct the executive search for the next Assistant Vice President for Human Resources forSt. John Fisher University.

Overview

St. John Fisher University is an independent, liberal arts institution that provides a transformative education to approximately 3,800 undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral students each year. Across its five Schools, Fisher offers nearly 40 majors in the humanities, social sciences, natural sciences, business, education, and nursing; 11 pre-professional programs; and master’s and doctoral programs in business, nursing, education, pharmacy, and public health. The University’s residential campus boasts a robust living and learning community and a successful intercollegiate athletics program. Fisher is a community where all are welcome, regardless of religious or cultural background.
The University continues to honor its founders, the Congregation of St. Basil, by embracing their motto, “Teach Me Goodness, Discipline, and Knowledge.” We are located in Pittsford, N.Y., seven miles outside of the city of Rochester. The campus is situated on 164 park-like acres—a beautiful setting for a warm, friendly campus community.

Job Responsibilities

Reporting to the Chief Financial Officer, the Assistant Vice President (AVP) for Human Resources serves as the strategic and operational leader responsible for advancing the University’s mission through effective human capital management. The AVP oversees the development, implementation, and evaluation of HR programs and services that support faculty, staff, and administrators, ensuring alignment with institutional goals. As a key advisor to senior leadership, the AVP fosters collaborative relationships across the University, strengthens HR’s role as a strategic partner, and promotes a positive and inclusive workplace culture. This role provides leadership and direction to the HR team, ensuring high-quality, responsive service delivery while proactively addressing organizational needs. The AVP is accountable for ensuring consistent application of HR policies and compliance with employment laws and regulations, mitigating organizational risk. Additionally, the AVP represents Human Resources on university-wide committees and partners with key stakeholders, including the Title IX officer, to support a healthy, engaged campus environment.

Leadership and Strategy

• Provides leadership, direction, and oversight of HR operations and staff
• Ensures high-quality delivery of HR programs and services
• Anticipates and resolves operational issues and continuously improves processes
• Develops and manages the annual HR budget

Talent Management

• Develops and implements strategies aligned with university goals, including workforce planning and succession planning
• Partners with leadership to align staffing plans with budgeting and organizational needs
• Oversees recruitment, onboarding, and retention strategies to ensure consistency and effectiveness

Employee Development

• Establishes and directs the University’s training and development strategy
• Oversees implementation of development programs that strengthen leadership and workforce capability
• Partners with leadership to identify needs and design effective people solutions

Employee Relations

• Provides strategic leadership for employee and labor relations, including oversight of workplace investigations, conflict resolution, and guidance to leaders on personnel matters
• Designs and implements initiatives that enhance employee engagement, collaboration, and a positive campus culture

Performance Management

• Oversees the University’s performance management framework to ensure effectiveness, consistency, and equity across the organization
• Oversees the administration of performance management processes by ensuring leaders are equipped to provide ongoing feedback, coaching, and development, and to address performance concerns
• Leads the University’s progressive disciplinary process, ensuring that disciplinary actions are appropriate and in accordance with policy guidelines.

Policy and Process Development

• Ensures accuracy and effectiveness of HR policies, including the Employee Handbook
• Maintains compliance with all applicable federal and New York State regulations including but not limited to: Affordable Care Act (ACA), FLSA, ERISA, FMLA, NYSPFL, HIPPA, ADA, and COBRA.
• Leads process and system improvements to enhance efficiency and decision-making through technology and data

Total Rewards

• Oversees compensation and benefits strategy to ensure market competitiveness and internal equity
• Directs salary administration, classification, and benefits programs
• Ensures effective management of health, welfare, retirement, and
  wellness programs

Organization Communications and Change Management

• Leads HR communications and supports effective dissemination of employee information
• Drives process improvements and change initiatives to enhance HR services
• Assesses organizational readiness and supports implementation of strategic initiatives

Education / Experience

Required

• Master’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Higher Education Administration, or related field.
• Minimum of 8 years of progressive HR leadership experience, preferably in higher education.
• Demonstrated expertise in employment law, regulatory compliance (federal and New York State), employee relations, and strategic HR planning.
• Financial expertise in budget management and vendor oversight
• Experience driving change management and process improvement initiatives

Preferred

• Juris Doctor (JD), with a focus on labor relations or employment law.
• SHRM-SCP, SPHR, or equivalent certification.
• Familiarity with academic personnel processes and faculty affairs

Competencies / Skills

• Effective Written and Verbal Communication
• Accountability
• Customer Service Orientation
• Collegiality
• Team Leadership
• Initiative
• Analytical and Conceptual Thinking

Supervision of Employees

Responsible for overseeing the Human Resources Department, comprised of the following roles:

• Human Resources Assistant
• Analytics & Compensation Coordinator
• Talent Manager
• Sr. Human Resources Manager

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Ability to remain in a stationary position for extended periods (e.g., sitting at a desk, working on a computer).
• Ability to communicate clearly and effectively in person, by phone, and via email.
• Occasional lifting or moving of items up to 10–20 pounds (e.g., office supplies, files).
• Ability to navigate office environment, including walking short distances and bending or reaching as needed.
  

Job Type

Full-time Work Hours

12 months, 35 hours per week
On Campus

EEO Statement

It is the policy of St. John Fisher University to provide Equal Employment Opportunity to all employees and applicants for employment in accordance with the applicable federal, state, and local laws governing non-discrimination in employment in each locality in which the University has employees.
The University does not discriminate against applicants or employees in hiring, promotion, termination or the terms and conditions of employment on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, sex, perceived sex, gender identity, gender expression, the status of being transgender, sexual orientation, national origin, citizenship, age, disability, marital status, military status, veteran status, predisposing genetic, characteristics or genetic information, arrest or conviction record, status as a victim of domestic violence, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Work Location

3690 East Ave., Rochester, NY 14618

FLSA Exempt Salary / Hourly Range $142,000.00 - $167,000.00 per year

Notes

The salary range for this role is set based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to internal equity, qualifications, experience, and education. The above hiring range is one component of the University’s competitive Total Rewards package which can be viewed here