"Associate Vice President, Human Resources"

Job Details

Job Title: Associate Vice President, Human Resources
Location: UNG-Dahlonega, GA
Regular/Temporary: Regular
Full/Part Time: Full-Time
Job ID: 290515

About Us

Located in the fastest-growing region of the state, the University of North Georgia is a multi-campus university with an enrollment of nearly 20,000 students, making it one of the largest institutions in the University System of Georgia. UNG is focused on a mission of educational excellence, leadership development and community engagement opportunities that develop students into leaders for a diverse and global society. Through a variety of educational pathways that provide access and range from certificates and associate degrees to a professional doctoral program, UNG is responsive to regional education and economic development needs. Federally designated as a senior military college, one of the university's signature leadership programs is its 800-member Corps of Cadets on UNG's Dahlonega Campus.

Job Summary

The University of North Georgia is currently accepting applications for an Associate Vice President for Human Resources. The Associate Vice President for Human Resources provides executive leadership for UNG's people strategy, advancing a workplace culture that attracts, develops, and retains talented faculty and staff. This role oversees all aspects of human resources, including workforce planning, talent development, employee relations, compensation, benefits, HR technology, and compliance. Serving as the university's chief human resources officer, the AVP partners with executive leaders and managers to shape policies and practices that strengthen engagement and performance. The position serves as UNG's primary liaison to the University System of Georgia (USG) Office of Human Resources, participates actively on institutional and system-level committees, and ensures the university remains aligned with federal and state regulations, USG policy, and emerging best practices in higher education human resources.

This position is designated as a Campus Security Authority (CSA) and holds the responsibility of serving as a mandatory reporter for all Clery Act crimes.

Responsibilities

• HR Leadership, Strategy & Institutional Collaboration: Provides executive leadership for the university's human resources enterprise, aligning HR priorities with institutional goals and the mission of a public university. Serves as senior advisor to the COO, senior leadership, deans, and managers on workforce strategy, organizational design, and employee engagement. Contributes to cross-divisional initiatives as a member of the Business & Finance Leadership Team. Guides the development of policies and practices that strengthen workplace culture, effectiveness, and retention. Maintains knowledge of current and emerging HR trends, issues, and best practices in higher education and advises leadership on their implications.
• Workforce Planning & Talent Development: Oversees recruitment and hiring processes for staff positions, ensuring compliance with federal, state, and USG requirements. Develops long-term workforce planning strategies to attract, retain, and advance talented employees. Leads succession planning initiatives and programs to prepare future leaders across the university. Promotes UNG's reputation as an employer of choice by enhancing the university's brand in the talent marketplace and developing strong candidate pipelines.
• Compensation, Benefits, Employee Experience & Relations: Directs implementation and administration of competitive compensation structures and pay practices. Oversees benefits programs (health, retirement, leave, and wellness) to ensure compliance, cost-effectiveness, and employee satisfaction. Provides leadership in employee relations, including investigations, disciplinary processes, and conflict resolution. Partners with campus leaders to promote a respectful and positive workplace culture. Develops and promotes programs that support employee well-being, resilience, and work-life balance.
• HR Technology, Data Analytics & Compliance: Oversees HR information systems, ensuring security, accuracy, and effective use of workforce data. Directs records management in compliance with federal, state, and USG standards. Leads the use of workforce analytics, dashboards, and metrics to inform decision-making and improve HR programs. Explores and implements appropriate HR technology and digital solutions to streamline processes and enhance the employee experience. Ensures adherence to all employment laws, regulations, and Board of Regents policies, maintaining institutional compliance and audit readiness.
• Committees, External Collaboration & System Engagement: Represents UNG on key committees and working groups at the university and within the University System of Georgia (USG). Serves as UNG's primary liaison to the USG Office of Human Resources on all HR-related matters. Engages actively with state and national HR professional organizations to advance institutional practices and maintain visibility in the field. Monitors external HR trends, legislation, and innovations, ensuring UNG remains adaptive and competitive.
• Unit Leadership, Talent Management & Team Development: Leads the Office of Human Resources, managing budget, operations, and personnel. Supervises and develops a high-performing HR team, fostering a culture of accountability, service excellence, and continuous improvement. Invests in the professional development of HR staff to ensure the team remains current with evolving HR practices, legal requirements, and emerging innovations. Builds HR staff capabilities to provide proactive, consultative service to campus units.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge of applicable human resources legislation and knowledge of HR practices in higher education.
• Knowledge of strategic planning processes and how to align HR goals with institutional mission and objectives.
• Skills in leading organizational transformation, including adoption of new technologies, processes, or policies.
• Strong ability to interpret data to drive strategy.
• Exceptional oral, written, and interpersonal communication with the ability to collaborate across all organizational levels and build consensus.
• Ability to handle sensitive issues with discretion, maintain confidentiality, and act with the highest ethical standards.
• Ability to foster a culture of continuous improvement, innovation, and service excellence within the HR unit.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Human Resources or related field is required.
• At least 7 - 10 years of progressively responsible human resources leadership experience, including significant supervisory responsibility.
• Demonstrated success in strategic workforce planning, change management, and employee engagement initiatives.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree preferred.
• Experience in higher education or a complex public-sector environment strongly preferred.
• Proficiency with HRIS platforms (Workday or PeopleSoft preferred), workforce analytics, and data visualization tools.
• Professional certifications such as SHRM-CP or SHRM-SCP preferred.

Required Documents to Attach

• Resume, Cover Letter, and Transcript
• Contact information for three professional references