Mount Holyoke College (MHC), a private liberal arts women’s college that is gender diverse and the oldest member of the historic Seven Sisters colleges, seeks an inclusive and collaborative Associate Vice President for Human Resources (AVP) to lead people resource initiatives, drive organizational effectiveness, and enhance employees’ experience during an exciting time of renewal. Reporting to the Vice President for Finance and Administration, the AVP will be a senior leader of the division and will have a unique opportunity to define a cohesive and people-centric community, infusing a sense of belonging and a system of support for those most critical to Mount Holyoke’s future.

The MHC community is excited about the future growth and trajectory of the College, as President Danielle R. Holley, a legal educator and social justice scholar, became president on July 1, 2023. The board of trustees has outlined priority initiatives around experiential education, career preparation, sustainability, and leadership that are galvanizing excitement and laying the groundwork for modernization.

This is an exciting opportunity for an accomplished leader to strengthen MHC’s human resources program by integrating modern processes, underscoring best practices, boosting morale, and applying data-driven strategies that will create a people culture that matches the creativity and drive of this exceptional liberal arts college. The AVP will educate and engage all members of the MHC community in ways that reflect the collaborative and collegial culture of the College. Working closely with college leaders, the AVP will play an integral role in identifying and setting human resources priorities and leading and facilitating regular lines of communication across campus to advance the college’s strategic imperatives. Further, the AVP will contribute to building a culture of trust in an environment of shared governance and developing relationships with campus leaders and all campus constituents in support of the academic mission.

In partnership with the Vice President for Finance and Administration, the AVP will be responsible for leading an inclusive and transparent human resources program. This executive position involves managing, motivating, and mentoring the College’s centralized human resources team. This position functions as a thought leader for people operations efforts and ensures the College’s human resources team operates optimally, communicates transparently, and builds a culture of trust and reliability. Additionally, a bridge builder is needed to nurture integrative structures that support faculty hiring, working closely with Academic Affairs in a collaborative capacity and addressing any risk exposure concerns, particularly in relation to compliance with 504 and other relevant regulations.

The ideal candidate must possess a minimum of 10 years of human resources experience, a keen understanding of best practices in people operations, expertise in managing a team, and a demonstrated record of accomplishment as a leader in human resources. The candidate must possess a high level of integrity and credibility; be a self-starter with a sense of urgency and a clear set of priorities; and be adaptable to changing circumstances. The successful candidate must have extraordinary communication skills with a collegial, team-building style and a demonstrated ability to motivate staff as well as to cultivate productive, collaborative relationships with faculty and staff across campus. The candidate will foster a professional work environment that rewards individual and collective success, builds confidence, and promotes diversity and inclusion in all its forms. In accordance with its core values and mission, Mount Holyoke is especially interested in recruiting members of diverse communities and individuals with a commitment to anti-racism. An undergraduate degree is required.

Mount Holyoke College

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Associate Vice President for Human Resources