Associate Vice President of People and Culture

Company: Clark College

Job Location:

Category: Administrative Vice Presidents

Type: Full-Time

Clark College is currently accepting applications for a full-time, 12-month, exempt Associate Vice President position in the Office of People and Culture. Reporting directly to the Vice President of People and Culture, the Associate Vice President (AVP) of People & Culture is a leadership role responsible for advancing the college’s Human Resources, diversity, equity, and inclusion, and organizational culture initiatives in alignment with the strategic direction established by the Vice President. As the second-in-command within the Office of People & Culture, the AVP provides day-to-day leadership, operational oversight, and expert guidance across key Human Resources and diversity, equity and inclusion functions, including, but not limited to talent acquisition and development, employee and labor relations, total rewards, compliance, and employee engagement.

The AVP plays a pivotal role in translating institutional goals into operational practice, ensuring the consistent application of policies, processes, and diversity, equity and inclusion principles throughout the employee lifecycle. This leader has strong inclusive communication and fosters collaborative relationships across the college, helping to attract, develop, and retain a diverse workforce that supports student success and reflects the mission, vision, and values of the community college. This position is expected to work in-person, on campus and the position may offer occasional work from home days.

The Office of People and Culture’s mission is to support and elevate the college community by embedding equity and continuous growth into every aspect of people practices – from recruitment and onboarding to learning, well-being and community partnerships.

At Clark, we value equity, diversity, and inclusion. We are committed to growing, learning, and supporting our employees.

JOB DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Integration

Under the leadership and direction of the VP:

• The AVP will work to advance the institution’s DEI commitments by embedding equity-focused practices into HR operations, policies, and decision-making.
• Support efforts to diversify the faculty, staff, and leadership pipeline through inclusive recruitment, equitable hiring practices, and bias-reduction strategies.
• Ensure all Human Resources policies and processes are equitable, nondiscriminatory, and aligned with the college’s diversity, equity and inclusion goals through the college’s social equity framework.
• Develop and provide training and professional learning in areas such as cultural competency, inclusive leadership, conflict resolution, and equity-minded supervisory practices.

Human Resources Operations

Under the leadership and direction of the VP:

• Provide operational leadership for core Human Resources functions, including HRIS, personnel records, compliance, and process improvement.
• Ensure Human Resources services are timely, accurate, and accessible, meeting the needs of a diverse workforce.
• Implement and maintain policies and procedures that promote legal compliance, consistency, and fairness across the institution.
• Collaborate closely with the VP to ensure day-to-day operations are aligned with the mission and vision of the Office of People and Culture’s.

Talent Acquisition, Development & Retention

Under the leadership and direction of the VP:

• Lead a comprehensive talent strategy focused on attracting and retaining highly qualified, diverse faculty and staff.
• Collaborate with hiring managers to ensure equitable screening, interviewing, and evaluation processes.
• Train, promote, develop, and engage in professional development program offerings, including training on leadership development, onboarding, and succession planning.
• Support continuous learning through programs that build cultural fluency and strengthen a growth-oriented workplace.

Employee & Labor Relations

• Provide leadership and guidance to Director of Employee Equity and Engagement to ensure learning pathways are implemented across all employee categories and resolve complex compliance situations.
• Provide leadership and guidance to Director of Labor and Compliance and employees on conflict resolution, performance management, and contract interpretation, ensuring all actions reflect equity and fairness and timely resolution.
• Serve as a key liaison in collective bargaining processes, promoting respectful, transparent, and collaborative labor-management relations.
• Lead or coordinate workplace investigations, ensuring fairness, consistency, and alignment with DEI principles.
• Actively participate in labor–management relationships.

Compensation, Benefits & Total Rewards

• Oversee equitable compensation and benefits strategies, ensuring pay and benefits are competitive, transparent, and supportive of employee well-being.
• Conduct regular compensation analysis to identify and address pay disparities.
• Lead benefits education efforts that meet the diverse needs of employees across all demographics.
• Provide leadership and guidance to Director of Talent Acquisition and Compensation to ensure compensation is accurate and complex situations are resolved.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Master’s degree in Human Resources, Organizational Development, Business Administration, Higher Education Administration, or related field OR a combination of relevant experience and education.
• Three (3) years of direct experience with employee and labor relations, collective bargaining, and conducting investigations.
• Three (3) years of direct experience supervising employees and running day-to-day operations of an office.
• Experience in a community college or similarly mission-driven educational environment.
• Experience working with diverse, multicultural employees and student populations.
• Progressively responsible human resources and diversity, equity and inclusion leadership experience, preferably in higher education.
• Demonstrated success in embedding diversity, equity and inclusion principles into human resources systems, policies, and campus-wide practices.
• Knowledge of employment and labor laws, human resources best practices, and working in a unionized environment.
• Ability to work well with people of all ages from academically, culturally, and socioeconomically diverse backgrounds.

WHAT WE OFFER:

• Clark promotes work/life balance for employees.
• McClaskey Culinary Institute offers fast, fresh, and healthy dining options for students, faculty, staff, and the community. The space, located in Gaiser Hall, features three kiosks, a full-service retail bakery and barista bar, grab-and-go items, and a student-run restaurant.
• Coffee Lounge in Hannah Hall and Clark Café in Joan Stout Hall.
• Campus bookstore offers snacks, apparel, and specialty supplies.
• On-campus early childhood education care program (pending registration and availability).
• Gym and recreation facilities available for membership.
• Clark promotes wellness with a variety of different workshops and events.

SALARY/BENEFITS:

Salary Range: $128,049-$148,267 annually (commensurate with qualifications and experience).

Successful candidates are typically hired at the beginning of the salary range and receive scheduled salary increment increases.

Clark College offers an exceptional benefits package that includes vacation/sick leave; medical, dental, life and long-term disability insurance; retirement; and tuition waiver.

APPLICATION PROCESS

Required Online Application Materials:

• Clark College Online Application
• Current resume, with a minimum of three (3) references listed.
• Cover letter describing background and experience related to qualifications and responsibilities of the position.
• Responses to the supplemental questions included in the online application process.

Please apply online at www.clark.edu/jobs

To contact Clark College Office of People and Culture, please call (360) 992-2105 or email recruitment@clark.edu.

APPLICATION DEADLINE: Required application materials must be completed and submitted online by 3 p.m., March 17, 2026