Executive Director 125820

University of West Florida; Pensacola (FL); On-site; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

University of West Florida is seeking a strategic Executive Director of Human Resources to provide leadership for HR operations, talent development, and organizational health. You will guide workforce planning, design, and services to support a growing university and serve as a trusted advisor to top leadership.

The role emphasizes moving HR from transactional to strategic, overseeing benefits, compensation, recruitment, and professional development while ensuring regulatory compliance and

Qualifications

• Master's degree in an appropriate area of specialization and six years of directly related professional experience; or a bachelor's degree in an appropriate area of specialization and eight years of directly related professional experience.
• 10+ years of progressively responsible experience in human resources management, people strategy, or organizational leadership.
• 5+ years of senior-level management experience leading HR teams, strategy, and operations.

Responsibilities

• Directs HR operations with oversight of benefits, payroll, recruitment, employee development, and labor relations.
• Leads strategic planning for workforce capability, organizational design, and talent priorities.
• Partner with executive leadership and boards on leadership effectiveness and employee relations.
• Oversees compliance with state, local, and federal HR laws and university policies.
• Advances an integrated HR model to improve efficiency and employee satisfaction.

Skills

Leadership

HR Strategy

Employee Relations

Policy Development

Education

Master's degree in Human Resources or related field

Bachelor's degree in HR, Business Administration, Organizational Leadership, or related field

Job description

POSITION DETAILS

Employment based visa sponsorship will NOT be considered for this position.

Position Number:125820
Classification Title: Executive Director
Department:Human Resources
FLSA Status:Exempt
Salary Range:Commensurate with education and experience
Pay Basis:Annually

POSITION OVERVIEW

JOB SUMMARY:

Reporting to Senior Vice President and Provost of Academic Affairs, the Executive Director serves as a key administrative leader and provides strategic direction for the university’s human resources operations. This role brings a modern, practical approach to supporting UWF's workforce, with an emphasis on leadership capability, talent development, operational efficiency, and effective service delivery. The Executive Director leads efforts to align human resources strategies across the university, ensuring systems, services, and practices meet the needs of a dynamic and growing institution.
The Executive Director provides strategic leadership and oversight for the university’s human resources operations, aligning workforce planning, organizational design, and talent priorities with UWF’s mission and institutional goals. Serving as a trusted advisor to university leadership, this role guides decisions related to leadership effectiveness, employee relations, and organizational health, while advancing a consistent and proactive approach to recruiting, developing, and retaining top talent. The Executive Director leads efforts to move human resources beyond a transactional function toward an integrated model that drives operational excellence and supports employee satisfaction.
Key functional areas of oversight include employee benefits, compensation, talent acquisition, employee and labor relations, continuous process improvement, payroll, compliance, employee experience, collective bargaining, and professional development.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Masters degree in an appropriate area of specialization and six years of directly related professional experience; or a bachelors degree in an appropriate area of specialization and eight years of directly related professional experience.

POSITION QUALIFICATIONS:

--Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Organizational Leadership, or a related field.
--Minimum of 10 years of progressively responsible experience in human resources management, people strategy, or organizational leadership.
--Minimum of 5 years of senior-level management experience leading HR teams, strategy, and operations.
--Extensive knowledge of state, local, and federal laws regulating human resources activity and programs.
Knowledge of University policies, regulations, and procedures.
In accordance with Florida statutory provisions, required education may be substituted with additional years of directly related professional experience as permitted by law.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

--Advanced degree (Master's or terminal degree) in Human Resources, Business Administration, Public Administration, or a related field.
--Experience leading a comprehensive human resources function within a public university system or complex higher education environment.
--HR professional certification (e.g., SHRM-SCP, SPHR).
--Demonstrated experience advising university executive leadership, vice presidents, and governing boards.
--Strong familiarity with Florida higher education governance, public-sector employment laws, collective bargaining, and regulatory environments.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS/JOB DUTIES:

• 45% - Manages/leads the overall administration of a department of 16 employees with responsibility for all human resources/personnel administration. Supervision of HR staff who manage the following human resources programs: benefits, payroll (faculty, staff and student), employment/recruitment, professional development, EEO, performance evaluations, service awards, employee and labor relations, record retention, foreign nationals, public record requests, and other related HR programs to include administrative staff who manage the office, budget, property, emergency building coordinator, etc. Develops and implements regulations, policies, and procedures in all areas of Human Resources programs and responsibilities that are consistent with state statutes, federal law, and maintain University and Board of Trustees’ goals and objectives. - (Essential)
• 15% - Manages the Outside Activity, Flex Remote Work, and Bonus programs for the University. Processes all outside activity forms, flex remote work forms, and requests for bonuses in accordance with applicable rules, policies, and procedures. - (Essential)
• 20% - Develops strategic plans and goals for the Human Resources department. Directs departmental accomplishments and activities while developing and implementing policies consistent with University regulations, policies, goals, and objectives. Provides guidance, direction, and support to human resources managers and staff. - (Essential)
• 10% - Serves as part of the Chief Negotiator for the Independent Association of Public and Private Employees (IAPPE) and the Police Benevolent Association (PBA) collective bargaining process on behalf of the Board of Trustees. Serves on the UWF management bargaining team for the United Faculty of Florida (UFF). Manages the PBA and IAPPE grievance processes. - (Essential)
• 10% - Provides professional assistance and guidance to supervisors and administrators on human resource management issues. Serve as a resource and representative on state, local, and university teams, groups, and committees. - (Essential)

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

• Physical Requirements: Occasional and/or light lifting required. Limited exposure to elements such as heat, cold, noise, dust, dirt, chemicals, etc., but none to the point of being disagreeable. May involve minor safety hazards where likely results would be cuts, bruises, etc.
• Impact of Deadlines:Externally imposed deadlines set or revised on short notice. Frequent shifts in priority. Numerous interruptions requiring immediate attention. Unusual pressure on a daily basis due to accountability for success of major projects.
• Standing: Daily
• Walking:Daily
• Sitting:Daily
• Reaching with hands and arms:Daily
• Climbing or balancing:Occasionally
• Stooping:Occasionally
• Use of hands to handle objects:Daily
• Lifting up to 10lbs:Daily
• Lifting up to 25lbs:Occasionally
• Lifting over 25lbs:Occasionally
• Talking as express or exchange of ideas verbally:Daily
• Hearing as perceive sound by ear:Daily
• Vision as distinguish colors & depth:Daily

Special Requirements or Considerations of the Job:

• This position requires a criminal background screening.
• This position requires fingerprinting.

ADDITIONAL POSTING DETAILS

Number of Vacancies: 1
Work Hours: 8am - 5pm (Other times as needed)
FTE:1.0
Closing Date:9/18/2026