Saint Martin’s University in Lacey, Washington, is a Catholic, Benedictine liberal arts institution rooted in the Catholic Intellectual Tradition, which upholds the continuity of faith and reason, the dignity of every person, and the lifelong pursuit of truth. Guided by the Hallmarks of Benedictine Education and core themes of Faith, Reason, Service, and Community, we cultivate a welcoming and hospitable community where faculty and staff of all backgrounds are invited to share their gifts in service of our students and mission. At the heart of that mission is a ministry of education in the liberal arts, forming students to grow as whole persons, pursue wisdom, and contribute to the common good. We seek colleagues who wish to join this mission in partnership with the monks of Saint Martin’s Abbey: educating with care, accompanying students on their journey, and working together for personal and communal transformation. For a deeper understanding of Saint Martin’s University, review the “Who We Are” information on our career home page.
POSITION SUMMARY
The Associate Vice President of Human Resources (AVP-HR) serves as a senior executive responsible for overseeing all aspects of the human resources function within an organization and fostering a positive faith-based work environment. The AVP-HR is responsible for setting, enforcing, and evaluating legally compliant human resources policies, procedures, and best practices, and identifying and implementing long-range strategic goals. The AVP-HR works closely with executive leadership to align human resource initiatives with the overall university strategy, mission, vision and identity. This role requires a deep understanding of both the operational and strategic facets of human resources, along with strong leadership and communication skills. Reporting directly to the President and as a member of the senior leadership team, the AVP-HR will directly and actively participate in institutional strategic planning and decision-making. The AVP-HR serves as the university Title IX Coordinator, a retirement plan judiciary trustee and serves as a member of the President’s Cabinet.
MISSION & STRATEGIC PLANNING
This position supports the Saint Martin’s University Catholic Benedictine mission and strategic plan ensuring the university’s compliance with federal and state employment laws and regulations and by providing the tools, resources and support services for employees in the areas of training & development, employee relations, employment, compensation, benefits administration and related activities. The Office of Human Resources is the foundation of a successful Saint Martin's University. We believe that the success of any organization, including Saint Martin's University, and its ultimate value, is primarily dependent upon its people. The Office of Human Resources strives to provide a safe, efficient, and attractive work environment through maintenance of good physical working conditions, fair, equitable and proper work practices and safeguards, and the fostering of harmonious work relationships among all employees. We assist in resolving workplace conflicts by looking out for employee’s best interest and will represents, helps, advises, and consults with employees, while simultaneously keeping the overall best interests of the university in mind. The Office of Human Resources strives to promote a happy and healthy environment where all members of our community—students, staff, and faculty—feel safe, welcome and included.
LEVEL OF SUPERVISION & SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY
PART 1:
Administrative Direction: The employee is given responsibility for independently planning, designing and carrying out programs, projects and studies in accordance with broad policy statements and/or legal requirements. Work is evaluated periodically in terms of adherence to program goals, budgetary limitations, compliance with laws and regulations and general institutional policies.
PART 2:
If “Yes” list the direct report position(s):
- Director-Employment Services
- Payroll Technician
HR Operations/Compliance Manager & Academic HR Representative
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ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS & RESPONSIBILITIES
Essential Functions & Responsibilities - Essential functions, as defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act, may include any of the following representative duties, knowledge, and skills. This list is ILLUSTRATIVE ONLY, and is not a comprehensive listing of all functions and duties performed by incumbents of this position. Employees are required to be in attendance and prepared to begin work at their assigned work location on the specified days and hours. Factors such as regular attendance at the job are not routinely listed in job descriptions, but are an essential function. Essential duties and responsibilities may include, but are not limited to, the following.
Strategic Leadership
- Collaborates with executive leadership team to define the university long-term mission and goals; identifies ways human resources can those goals.
- Provide leadership and support to hiring managers in workforce planning and for the recruitment of staff (and faculty as assigned) as it relates to mission and strategic goals.
- Provides strategic direction and oversight to the University's staff wage and salary programs; ensures regulatory compliance and competitive salary levels.
- Collaborate with the Vice President of Finance to implement a progressive and proactive compensation and benefits programs to provide motivation, incentives and rewards for effective performance and to provide programs which that ensure the short and long-range health and welfare of employees.
- Advise the President, Executive Cabinet, and the Board of Trustees in areas of policy, contracts and other matters related to Human Resources. Act as the University’s liaison on legal activities related to Human Resources.
- Counsel and advise university administrators, deans, faculty, and staff regarding human resource issues to develop, recommend, maintain, and implement the policies and procedures of the university as they pertain to positions, recruitment and selection, salary placement and recommendations, retention and development programs, and organization development and change strategies.
- Create and maintain a supportive workplace environment by aligning work culture with university’s Catholic Benedictine values to enhance the employee experience.
- Remain knowledgeable of current state and federal law and regulations and trends in the field of human resources with specific focus on human resources in higher education.
- Participates in professional development and networking conferences and events.
Maintain professional qualification through ongoing training and professional development from accredited training programs; manage a professional development budget for this purpose.
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Department Administration
- Responsible for creating and implementing the strategic vision for the Office of Human Resources and for leading the daily operational management of the department.
- Forecast and monitor the HR and employment search budgets, ensuring efficient and effective use of resources.
- Oversee HR operations, including payroll, benefits administration, and HRIS.
- Recruit, hire, train, supervise, and evaluates department staff (Director of Employment Services, Payroll Technician, and HR Operations and Compliance Manager/Academic HR Representative.)
Provide ongoing review of university policies, in consultation with legal counsel, and update and maintain the university policies within the employee handbook. Present new policies to Executive Cabinet and Board of Trustees for approval.
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Employee Relations
- Counsel and assist employees and supervisors with performance management issues. Advise on employment law, policy and benefit issues, and other areas of concerns.
- Serve as University Title IX Coordinator. Oversee university policy in relation to Title IX; implementation of grievance procedures, including notification, investigation and disposition of complaints; coordination of educational materials and training for the campus community; conduct and/or coordinate investigations of complaints received pursuant to Title IX; and monitor all other aspects of the university’s Title IX compliance.
- Oversee and act upon harassment, discrimination and sexual harassment complaints/allegations that do not meet the threshold of Title IX. Resolves issue or makes recommendations for resolution and disciplinary actions.
Serve as primary advisor regarding human resources issues to the university community.
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Other Functions
- Assist supervisors in developing or updating position descriptions.
- Perform position classification/reclassification for ADA and Fair Labor Standards Act compliance. Maintain all staff position descriptions.
- Conduct independent salary surveys for institutional use. Complete required reports and surveys such as BLS, IPEDS, AAUP, CUPA, EEOC, OSHA, Veterans, unemployment, etc.
- Oversee the Tuition Remission and Tuition Exchange programs working collaboratively with the admissions and financial aid offices.
- Coordinate on- the-job injury claims. Consult with physicians and university claims management agency to ensure claims are legitimate and monitored accurately.
- Provide leadership for cross-campus training initiatives including: supervisor training, mandatory reporter and Title IX training.
- Serve as administrative liaison to the Staff Welfare Committee, trustee of the Saint Martin’s University 403(b) Retirement Plan, staff representative to the Board of Trustees Audit Committee and member of the President’s Cabinet.
Other projects and tasks as required or assigned by the University’s President.
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COMPETENCIES
- Substantial knowledge of principles and practices of HR administration, to include federal, state and local employment laws and regulations, wage and salary laws and regulations, EEO and ADA laws.
- Demonstrated knowledge of Title IX and the responsibilities of a Title IX Coordinator/Investigator.
- Exercises good independent judgment, discretion and maintains confidentiality.
- Skill in budget preparation and fiscal management.
- Skill in examining and re-engineering operations and procedures, formulating policy, and developing and implementing new strategies and procedures.
- Establishes and maintains successful and effective relationships with a diverse, multicultural student, staff and faculty population, including persons with disabilities or disadvantages, to promote a culturally diverse and accepting university environment.
- Demonstrated knowledge of mediation or dispute resolution. Responding to difficult, stressful or sensitive interpersonal situations in ways that reduce or minimize potential conflict and maintains good working relationships among internal and external customers.
- Fiscal understanding of budgets, including those for funding and implementation of programs. This includes developing, directing and monitoring budget expenditures of department funds.
- Knowledge of project management which includes creating project plans including goals, timelines, constraints, risks, which include all affected parties, and identifying outcomes and assignments.
- Strong written communication skills, with a focus on correct spelling, grammar and punctuation.
- Ability to use data and information to assess and understand issues, evaluate options, form conclusions, and make decisions.
Supportive of a Catholic, Benedictine philosophy of education, the mission of Saint Martin's University and be able to demonstrate the Catholic, Benedictine values in the work environment.
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REQUIREMENTS AND/OR CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT
- Bachelor's degree in human resources management or related field.
- 10 years in Human Resources and a minimum of 5 years in a senior-level human resource management, preferably in a private religiously affiliated institution of higher education.
- Ability to articulate and eagerness to champion the unique and distinctive character of working at a Catholic institution.
- PHR/SPHR certification preferred.
Successfully pass a background check.
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PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORKING ENVIRONMENT
Work is performed in a standard office environment. Physical demands include:
- Moves objects (less than 20 pounds) long distances (more than 20 feet).
- Ability to be mobile campus wide for appropriate business needs.
- Operates a variety of standard office equipment requiring continuous or repetitive arm-hand movements.
- Reading, writing, speaking, hearing, standing, bending, sitting.
- Learning and comprehending.
- Requires visual concentration on detail.
- Manual dexterity and precision required for keyboarding
- Must be able to sit for long periods at a time at a computer
- May occasionally be required to deal with distraught people.
- Must be able to concentrate on details and process complex information while experiencing frequent interruptions.
- Must be able to communicate effectively with people at all levels under stressful conditions.
- Must maintain strict confidentiality relating to all issues in the department, the University and the President’s Office.
