Job Title

Vice President, Human Resources

Agency

Tarleton State University

Department

Division of Finance & Administration

Proposed Minimum Salary

Commensurate

Job Location

Stephenville, Texas

Job Type

Staff

Job Description

Tarleton State University invites nominations and applications or expressions of interest to be submitted to the search firm assisting the University. Applications must include a cover letter, resume or curriculum vitae, and list of references. For full consideration, application materials should be submitted to Korn Ferry via email to: TarletonVPHR@KornFerry.com 

Confidential review of materials will begin immediately; for full consideration please submit application materials by October 31, 2024.

Tarleton State University is a comprehensive Carnegie R2 Doctoral University: High Research Activity, with the elective Community Engagement classification, and a new member of the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities. Boasting nearly 130 degree programs that epitomize its dedication to providing a life-changing education, Tarleton stands as a distinguished institution committed to delivering a transformative educational experience.
The University has become one of the country’s fastest growing comprehensive public universities with an impressive 25% increase in enrollment growth since 2019 and has set new records in student success, fundraising, research expenditures, state support and national prominence. This unprecedented growth has been marked by the strategic expansion of key facilities, which include the establishment of a cutting-edge Event Center, a state-of-the-art headquarters dedicated to research and economic development, the construction of a second building on the Fort Worth campus, and the development of a Health Professions Building.
With a rich history dating back to its establishment in 1899, the university has evolved and thrived as an inaugural member of The Texas A&M University System since 1917. Located in Stephenville, the main campus serves as the focal point for a dynamic and enriching student experience. Additionally, flourishing classes held in Fort Worth, Waco, Bryan, and through our robust online platform extends its reach across Texas.
The Wall Street Journal’s latest rankings have Tarleton State fifth among U.S. schools highly recommended by their students and recent alumni. Fall 2023 brought another all-time-high enrollment, outpacing many institutions nationwide. Our total of over 14,500 students is an increase of 10% from 2019, making Tarleton one of the fastest growing universities in Texas.

NCAA Division I membership, rural healthcare education, and the ongoing expansion of our Fort Worth campus collectively position Tarleton State as a frontrunner for those aspiring to attain a university degree.

QUICK FACTS
Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 23 to 1
120 + Programs of Study
125 Years of Excellence
17,000 + Students Enrolled

MISSION
Tarleton State University, a founding member of The Texas A&M University System, transforms generations by inspiring discovery, leadership and service through educational excellence.

VISION
Tarleton will be the premier comprehensive university in the nation, with a keen focus on student success, teaching, and research.

The Opportunity
Position: Vice President, Human Resources
Location: Stephenville, Texas
Reporting Relationship: Reports to University President
Website: https://www.tarleton.edu/home/

Tarleton State University is seeking a highly collaborative, strategic and visionary leader to serve as the Vice President, Human Resources. The ideal candidate will lead the institution’s efforts in human resources and elevate workplace excellence, integrity, respect, and innovation.

Reporting to the University President, the Vice President, Human Resources (VPHR) will provide leadership, strategic planning and direction, and oversight for all human resources and civil rights functions, including day-to-day oversight for organizational development and institutional human resources policies and strategies. The VPHR will serve as a member of the President’s senior management team, coordinating and implementing projects in support of the division and broader university initiatives.

The VPHR will lead a talented team of 23, in the functional areas of Employee Engagement, Employee Relations, Talent Acquisition, Title IX/Compliance, and HR Operations. Based on the results of the Hanna study and the exponential growth of the university, this role will involve significant change management, policy evaluation and implementation, and strong leadership of a team ready for a new strategic direction. The successful candidate will be excited about a simultaneously hands-on and managerial role, with expectations for leading a team of HR professionals and working across all academic and administrative divisions.

Key Responsibilities

The VPHR will have the unique opportunity to build and expand the HR function and serves as a business partner across functions.  This leadership role requires that the individual be communicative, strategic, collaborative, and process minded.  This role will devise and execute HR strategies, mentor staff, and optimize the human resource management system in a high growth environment.

Chief among the VPHR primary responsibilities:

Strategy

Brings forward innovative ideas to build institutional capacity and positive organizational culture.

Serves as a trusted advisor to university leadership and a strategic partner on all human resources matters.

Provides overall leadership and plans, develops, and administers a wide range of services emphasizing organizational design, change management, culture enhancement.

Builds and maintains an office environment which encourages quality interactions with all customers and stakeholders.

Creates a vision for programs, policies, and practices which enhance employee engagement, recruitment, and retention.

Drives continuous improvement efforts within human resources operations to standardize and simplify processes.

Directs the preparation and maintenance of reports necessary to carry out department functions and prepare periodic reports to executive and senior leadership for data-informed decision making.

Serves as the primary liaison with the A&M System’s Central Pay Plan Administrator for centralized pay plan support. Oversees market and compression studies, merit processes, and other compensation planning and programs.

Serves as the primary liaison on HR matters to Texas A&M University System (TAMUS) administration, governance groups, subcommittees, and personnel agencies of the State of Texas.

Monitors legal and compliance risks related to the human resource function.

Consults with appropriate stakeholders to ensure desired and required training programs are implemented that address needs across the University.

Ensures compliance with applicable, legal guidelines, employment agreements, TAMUS policies, regulations, rules, and procedures.

Works with the Office of General Counsel (OGC) in administering policies, procedures and practices to ensure compliance.

Oversees Protected Health Information in accordance with A&M System policy and is further required to complete HIPAA training as a condition of employment, within a reasonable timeframe after the individual's employment, and on an as-needed basis thereafter.

Provides administrative leadership and supervision for the University’s human resources division, to include the following:

RecruitmentEmployee selection and retentionStudent employmentNew employee orientation/onboardingClassification and compensationLeavePerformance managementEmployee benefits and wellness initiativesComplianceEmployee relationsCivil rights complianceHuman Resource Information Systems (HRIS) management,Employee training and developmentEmployee recognition programsRetiree Recognition, transition, and engagementPersonnel records

Talent Management

Organizes and participates in HR activities to maintain and improve positive employee relations. Directs the development and delivery of training in HR functional areas.

Directs the communication/reporting of information related to employment, employee relations, faculty and staff benefits, wage and salary compensation and classification, employee development/training, and special projects.

Fosters a growth mindset and ensures appropriate learning and growth opportunities are identified and acted on for individuals and teams.

Counsels with individual University employees and/or supervisors to address and, where possible, resolve workplace problems, including appropriate citing of System Policy, System regulations and Tarleton Rules, and facilitating meetings through use of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) techniques or other appropriate methods.

Administers employee grievance procedures, investigates complaints, mediates disputes, and recommends administrative actions. Responds to employment litigation under the direction of legal counsel. Determines and recommends employee relations practices necessary to establish a positive employer-employee relationship and support a high employee morale level.

Guides the development and execution of programs designed to emphasize faculty and staff physical, emotional, and financial wellness.

Provides general oversight of Tarleton's Employee Services and equal opportunity/affirmative action program.

Civil Rights Investigations Compliance

Directs and manages the civil rights investigation compliance function for the University.

Directs, implements, and promotes outreach, education, and awareness to the campus community, to provide information regarding civil rights laws and legislation, and methodologies.

Develops comprehensive metrics and performance measures to track, evaluate, and report on the effectiveness of initiatives, and recommends changes to improve outcomes.

Experience and Professional Qualifications

The ideal candidate will have significant prior experience executing a multi-pronged HR strategy for large, complex organizations of a similar size and scope to Tarleton State University.

The VPHR will have to be a collaborative and approachable leader capable of leading a university through major growth and significant change.    

Other desired qualifications and leadership characteristics include:

15+ years in Human Resources with 10+ years of progressive supervisory and leadership experience with a deep knowledge of culture alignment and staff engagement.

Knowledge of core functional areas in human resources such as recruiting; position analysis and classification; compensation; benefits; payroll; risk management; immigration; training and organizational development; performance management; employee relations; data analytics or reporting; HR information systems and data management.

Experience providing strategic human resources advice to executive and senior leaders, and guiding teams to develop and implement human resources staffing plans, policies, regulations and procedures; and employing appropriate human resource management practices.

A deep understanding of policy development, education and change management.

Strong recruiting background and experience supporting staff through significant organizational shifts and growth.

Experience in communicating strategically aligned performance goals across the organization.

Demonstrated leadership skills with the ability to oversee, mentor, and motivate staff.

Track-record of implementing human resources initiatives driving innovation, efficiency, transparency, and accountability.

Demonstrated experience building a successful, service-oriented team committed to professional learning and growth.

Exceptional communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills coupled with the ability to communicate well in difficult situations.

Strong commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion as a foundational value central to the University.

Education

Master’s degree in human resource management or applicable field or equivalent combination of education and experience.

Compensation and Benefits
Compensation and benefits will be competitive and commensurate with experience. The target base annual salary is commensurate with experience and may be negotiable based on funding availability and candidate experience/skillset in relation to the minimum requirements of this position. Tarleton State University offers a career filled with purpose and opportunity in addition to competitive wages. As part of the Tarleton family, the following benefits are also available to full time and qualifying part time employees:

Educational Benefits - Employee perks that help enrich, grow, and foster career and professional development:
▪ Family Education Benefit (Tuition Scholarship) – scholarship opportunities for Tarleton employees, their spouses, or their dependents available after 6 months of continued full-time employment. Click the link to learn more about this incredible Texan benefit!
▪ Doctoral Educational Assistance – Full-time budgeted employees at all A&M System Universities, Agencies, and System Offices are qualified for reimbursement of tuition and mandatory fees. Eligibility: This program is applicable to the pursuit of a first doctorate degree only to full-time, budgeted employees who have been in a position no less than 2 long semesters. Click the link for additional details!

Employee Health, Wellness, and Financial Planning
▪ Fully covered employee health insurance
▪ Reimbursement of Insurance Premium Deductions! The State of Texas contributes to eligible employees’ insurance coverages as of the 1st day of the month following 60 days of employment in an eligible position. For those who elect coverage PRIOR to the first of the month after 60 days of employment, Tarleton State University will reimburse employees the State contribution towards health coverage during those first 60 days.
▪ Dental insurance
▪ Vision insurance
▪ Retirement and Insurance programs
 

Paid Leave
▪ Tarleton employees enjoy one of the greatest PTO packages in the area!
▪ Paid sick leave
▪ Holiday pay (14 Texas A&M University System paid holidays per year)
▪ Vacation
▪ Longevity pay
▪ Paid Birthday Leave – Tarleton State University awards all leave-eligible employees paid time off for their birthday!
 

Other
▪ Complimentary tickets to all Athletic and Performing Fine Arts events!
▪ Tarleton Employees enjoy two complimentary general admission tickets for athletics and performing fine arts events on campus! Join Texan Nation on the bleachers or in the auditorium.
▪ Employee Wellness Release Time
▪ Staff Gym Membership Discount with Campus Recreation

▪ and Other Tarleton Discounts

Application Procedure:

Applications must include a cover letter, resume or curriculum vitae, and list of references.

For full consideration, application materials should be submitted to Korn Ferry via email to: TarletonVPHR@KornFerry.com 

Confidential review of materials will begin immediately; for full consideration please submit application materials by October 31, 2024.

Employment applications must include:

Cover Letter / Letter of Interest addressing qualificationsCurriculum Vitae or ResumeAt least 3 current professional references and their full contact information

Applications must be submitted to and received by Korn Ferry Executive Search and must have all job application materials requested. Failure to submit application to Korn Ferry Search may be considered an incomplete application and may not be considered. An application submitted via this venue is not an acceptable entry of the job application. 

All positions are security-sensitive. Applicants are subject to a criminal history investigation, and employment is contingent upon the institution’s verification of credentials and/or other information required by the institution’s procedures, including the completion of the criminal history check.

Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action/Veterans/Disability Employer.