About The Role

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Working Title

Associate Vice President of Human Resources / CHRO (MnSCU Admin-7)

Institution

Winona State University

Classification Title

MnSCU Administrator 7

Bargaining Unit / Union

220: Minnesota State Administrator's Plan

City

Winona

FLSA

Job Exempt

Full Time / Part Time

Full time

Employment Condition

Unclassified - Unlimited Academic

Salary Range

$105,407.00 - $169,114.00

Job Description

The Associate Vice President of Human Resources and Chief Human Resources Officer (AVP/CHRO) provides strategic leadership, vision, and direction for all human resources functions across the university. As a key member of the President’s Cabinet, the AVP/CHRO serves as the senior advisor on organizational strategy, workforce planning, labor relations, and employee engagement. This role ensures that HR practices support the university’s mission, values, and long-term goals while fostering a collaborative, inclusive, and high-performing culture.

Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership and HR Vision

Provide strategic leadership for all HR functions, establishing short- and long-term goals aligned with the University’s strategic plan and Minnesota State system priorities.
Serve as a key advisor to the President, Cabinet, and senior leadership on workforce planning, organizational development, and personnel matters.
Participate as a member of the President’s Cabinet and Council of Administrators, contributing to institutional decision-making and daily operations.
Represent the University on system-level HR committees and contribute to the development and evaluation of system-wide HR policies and practices.
Represent the university on internal committees, ensuring alignment with institutional goals and shared governance principles.
Lead continuous improvement efforts to ensure HR operations are efficient, innovative, and responsive to campus needs.

Employee and Labor Relations Leadership

Serve as the university’s chief labor relations authority, overseeing contract administration, grievance management, arbitration preparation assistance, and resolution of complex employee relations issues.
Build and maintain collaborative relationships with union leadership and internal stakeholders to support a productive and respectful work environment.
Participate in system-level negotiations teams and contract language review.
Partner with Cabinet to lead campus meet and confer processes, including agenda development and follow up, and strike plan preparation; maintain strike plans.
Hear complex grievances with the President and senior leaders and advice leadership on sensitive labor matters.

HR Operations, Compliance, and Risk Management

Oversee all HR functional areas, including classification and compensation, recruitment and selection, workforce planning, performance management, progressive discipline, benefits and leave administration, workers’ compensation, unemployment, HR systems management, payroll, staffing, Affirmative Action, and succession planning.
Ensure compliance with federal and state employment laws, Minnesota Management and Budget (MMB) policies, Minnesota State system policies, collective bargaining agreements, and university policies and procedures.
Direct the management, retention, and auditing of confidential personnel data, ensuring accuracy, security, and timely reporting to internal and external agencies.
Oversee day-to-day HR operations in partnership with the Assistant HR Director to ensure efficient, compliant, and customer-focused service delivery.

Organizational Culture, Engagement, and Development

Lead initiatives that foster a collaborative, inclusive, and engaging workplace culture that supports employee satisfaction, retention, and development.
Oversee professional development programming, leadership and supervisory training, and required employee training.
Collaborate with the Assistant Vice President for Equity and Inclusive Excellence on campus climate survey, analyze results, and guide institutional action planning.
Champion employee recognition initiatives and collaborate with Marketing to strengthen the university’s employment brand.
Encourage innovation by challenging outdated processes and promoting continuous improvement across HR and campus operations.

Equity, Inclusion, and Affirmative Action Partnership

Collaborate with the Department of Equity and Inclusive Excellence on policies, procedures, and initiatives related to workforce equity, inclusion, and Affirmative Action.
Ensure HR practices support equitable hiring, retention, and advancement.
Provide leadership on campus wellness initiatives that promote the well-being of all employees.

HR Office Leadership and Resource Management

Supervise HR staff, providing coaching, performance evaluation, and professional development to ensure effective service delivery.
Manage the HR Office budget, staffing, and resource allocation to support strategic and operational priorities.
Ensure timely and accurate HCM and payroll processing, resolving pay-related issues in compliance with applicable laws and agreements.

Data, Reporting, and External Relations

Provide accurate and timely HR data, reports, and analysis to support decision-making, accreditation, audit and legislative requests, and system initiatives.
Represent the university in external meetings, hearings, and committees, serving as liaison to the system office, state agencies, and legal counsel on employment matters.
Use data-driven insights to guide HR strategy, culture initiatives, and organizational development efforts.

Other responsibilities as designated by the VP for Finance & Administration/CFO and University President.

The Key Accountabilities Include

Strategic leadership of all human resource functions. Trusted advisor to the President and senior leadership on all matters related to the human resource health of the institution.
Lead labor relations authority for the university; coordinate multiple university strike plans.
Develop/maintain highly functioning human resource operations compliant with applicable laws and policies.
Lead and coordinate organization culture initiatives for a collaborative, inclusive, and engaged workforce.
Lead an effective and efficient human resource operation. Timely, accurate, and complete reporting to stakeholders.
Coordinate on employment matters serving as a liaison to the system office, state agencies, and legal counsel and represent the university in meetings, hearing, and committees.
Strategic contributing member of the President’s cabinet
Commitment to ongoing professional development, continued learning and staying current on emerging trends, best practices, employment laws, and human resources issues.

Salary Range: $105,407.00 - $169,114.00 ; Commensurate with qualifications and experience

Minimum Qualifications

Master’s degree or other advanced degree from an accredited institution in human resources, labor relations, employment law, business administration, organizational leadership or related field.
Ten (10) years of professional human resource experience in a complex organization.
Demonstrated supervisory or managerial experience in human resources.
Demonstrated experience and competence in interpreting, applying, and ensuring compliance with federal and state employment laws and organizational policies.
Experience with labor relations and collective bargaining agreement administration.
Demonstrated organizational leadership and management skills.
Demonstrated commitment to inclusiveness in leadership and decision-making.
Excellent writing, speaking, and interpersonal skills.
Ability to successfully pass a criminal background check and be authorized to review criminal history records information.

Preferred Qualification

Professional HR certifications such as Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR) or SHRM Senior Certified Professional (SHRM-SCP).
Demonstrated knowledge across multiple HR functions to include labor relations, workforce planning, compensation and classification, recruitment, leave management, benefits administration, employee relations, performance management, training and development, HRIS, workers’ compensation, unemployment insurance, and affirmative action.
Experience in public sector human resources.
Experience working in human resources in a medium or large organization with complex operations.
Experience interpreting policy and labor agreements, handling complaint resolution and grievance processes.
Experience in mediation or conflict resolution.
Demonstrated experience building and maintaining constructive business relationships with union representatives.
Experience in higher education.
Ability to work effectively and collegially within a large, complex university system and to negotiate with a wide range of constituencies, including multiple bargaining units.
Demonstrated ability to provide strategic vision in complex organizations.
Demonstrated success in budget planning and creative problem solving to advance organization initiatives.
Demonstrated proficiency and ability to use technology to develop efficient business processes.

Other Requirements

The successful candidate must be able to lawfully accept employment in the United States by the day employment begins. The University regrets that we are unable to offer H1-B sponsorship at this time.
A complete online application will include the following:

A cover letter that addresses the qualifications listed previously
Current Curriculum Vitae / Resume
Transcripts (undergraduate and graduate)
A list of professional references with contact information

Posting Information

Application Deadline: Priority consideration given to applications received by September 28, 2026

Appointment Date: January 4, 2027

Primary Location: Winona, MN

Type of Appointment: Administrator/At Will

Telework (Yes/No) No

About Winona State University

Founded in 1858, Winona State University is a regional public university and the oldest member of the Minnesota State system. Offering more than 200 majors and programs, Winona State has the #1 Student Success Rate in the Minnesota State System with 96.97 percent of WSU graduates being hired in a field related to their degree. U.S. News recognized Winona State as having top-ranking undergraduate programs in nursing, engineering, psychology, business, and computer science. With campuses in both Winona and Rochester, Winona State offers the best of both worlds. Widely known for its stunning natural setting, the Winona campus is nestled between picturesque bluffs and the Mississippi River - meaning rock climbing, paddle-boarding, hiking, and kayaking are within a mile of campus. WSU’s Rochester campus is located in Minnesota’s third largest city - a dynamic hub for industry, arts, and culture, and consistently ranked as one of the best places to live in the U.S. Winona State University's mission is to enhance the intellectual, social, cultural and economic vitality of the people and communities we serve: a community of learners improving our world. For more information, visit winona.edu.

Notice: In accordance with Minnesota State policy, employees driving on university business who use a rental or state vehicle shall be required to conform to Minnesota State’s vehicle use criteria and consent to a motor vehicle records check. The Winona State University Annual Security and Fire Safety Report is available for your review. This report is required by federal law and contains policy statements and crime statistics for the University. The policy statements address the school's policies, procedures, and programs concerning safety and security. Three years' worth of statistics are included for certain types of crimes that were reported to have occurred on-campus, or in other University affiliated locations. This report is available online at https://www.winona.edu/about/safety-security/ . You may also request a paper copy from University Security by emailing security@winona.edu .

Winona State University is an Equal Opportunity employer/educator committed to the principles of diversity. We prohibit discrimination against qualified individuals based on their race, sex, color, creed, religion, age, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or membership in a local commission as defined by law. As an affirmative action employer, we actively seek and encourage applications from women, minorities, persons with disabilities, and individuals with protected veteran status.

The University provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request.

A member of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities System. A community of learners improving our world!

Benefits Information

At Minnesota State, we take your well-being and work-life balance seriously. We offer a comprehensive benefits package that features low-cost medical and dental insurance with affordable deductibles, employer-paid life insurance, short- and long-term disability, and pre-tax healthcare and dependent care accounts with a roll-over option. To further support your holistic health, employees also have access to a confidential Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for mental health, legal, and financial counseling. Detailed plan details, rates, and coverage choices can be reviewed directly via the State Employee Group Insurance Program (SEGIP) website.

To support your life outside of work, our package includes 12 paid holidays, generous vacation and sick time, and six weeks of Paid Parental Leave. We also help you secure your financial future with a robust Pension Plan, 457(b) and 403(b) retirement accounts, and various investment options. Furthermore, we invest in your growth by providing dedicated professional development and tuition waivers for both you and your dependents. Please note that specific benefit eligibility and coverage levels may vary depending on the type of position, employee classification, and collective bargaining agreements.