Associate Vice President for Human Resources

Posting Details

Posting Details

Logo https://pa-hrsuite-production.s3.amazonaws.com/1225/docs/115824.png Institution Northern State University Working Title Associate Vice President for Human Resources Posting Number NFE03162P Department NSU-Finance & Administration Physical Location of Position (City) Aberdeen Posting Text

Northern State University invites applications for the position of Associate Vice President for Human Resources, an exceptional opportunity for an experienced human resources professional to serve as the University's chief HR officer.

Reporting to the Vice President for Finance and Administration, the Associate Vice President for Human Resources provides strategic leadership and operational oversight for all human resource functions while fostering a culture of excellence, engagement, and service across campus. This position also provides comprehensive human resources and payroll services to the South Dakota School for the Blind and Visually Impaired, making it a unique opportunity to support two outstanding public institutions dedicated to education and student success.

The Associate Vice President for Human Resources serves as a trusted advisor to executive leadership, managers, faculty, and staff on all aspects of human resources. This position is responsible for developing and implementing strategic HR initiatives that support the University's mission and strategic plan while ensuring compliance with federal, state, and South Dakota Board of Regents policies. The successful candidate will lead initiatives in recruitment and retention, employee relations, performance management, compensation and classification, benefits administration, compliance, organizational development, payroll oversight, and HR information systems.

Primary Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership for all Human Resources operations.
• Advise leadership on workforce planning, organizational development, and employee relations.
• Lead recruitment, hiring, onboarding, and retention initiatives for faculty, staff, and administrators.
• Oversee employee relations, workplace investigations, performance management, and corrective action processes.
• Ensure compliance with employment laws and Board of Regents policies, including FLSA, FMLA, ADA, ACA, Title VII, Title IX, and EEO requirements.
• Manage HR information systems, workforce reporting, and personnel records.

Oversee payroll operations within a complex system governing Board of Regents campuses.

• Support organizational effectiveness through strategic planning and data-informed decision-making.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Management, Leadership, or a closely related field.
• Significant progressively responsible professional experience in human resources, including management and leadership responsibilities.
• Demonstrated knowledge of employee relations, employment law, compensation, benefits, recruitment, organizational development, and HR information systems.
• Exceptional communication, interpersonal, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to exercise sound judgment, maintain confidentiality, and build collaborative relationships across the organization.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Leadership, or a related field.
• PHR, SPHR, SHRM-CP, or SHRM-SCP professional certification.
• Experience working in higher education or another complex public-sector organization.

Posting Date 08/04/2026 Closing Date Open Until Filled Yes First Consideration Date 08/24/2026 Advertised Salary Depends on Experience Duration of the Term 12 months If Other, describe duration Appointment Percent 100% Work Hours

8-5

Typical Hours Worked Per Week 40+ Appointment Type Regular Faculty Status No Scope of Search External (includes Internal) If internal, define scope of search This position requires Travel, Overnight stays, Valid Drivers License If other, please indicate Department Description and Cultural Expectations

Northern State University is a student-centered public university committed to academic excellence, innovation, and community engagement. Located in Aberdeen, South Dakota, Northern offers a collaborative campus environment where employees make a meaningful impact on students, faculty, staff, and the communities we serve. We seek an experienced HR leader who is passionate about developing people, improving organizational effectiveness, and serving as a trusted partner to campus leadership.

Position will report directly to the Vice President for Finance & Administration

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

Northern State University is committed to building a welcoming culture of belonging and collegiality that respects diversity in knowledge, culture and world view. Northern seeks faculty and staff who will engage with individuals of diverse backgrounds, beliefs and perspectives to increase awareness, understanding, respect and opportunity for all.

Must be authorized to work in the U.S. Sponsorship is not available for this position.

Contact Information

Working Conditions

Cognitive Requirements

Please check the appropriate response that describe the cognitive requirements for this position. Analyzing, Comprehend, Frequent Change, Intense Customer Interaction, Logic, Memory, Multiple Priorities, Multiple Stimuli, Pace-average, Perform calculations, Reading, Reasoning, Verbal Communication, Written Communication

Protective Clothing/Equipment

Please check the appropriate response for this position's use of the following protective clothing or equipment. If other protection is used please identify

Physical Requirements

Please designate the physical requirements of this position Fine Finger Manipulation (keyboarding, pipefitting, bench work, etc), Lifting light, Repetitive Motion, Sitting for sustained periods of time, Standing for sustained periods of time, Use Both Hands, Use of Either Hand, Independently, Walking, Wrist Movement (twisting or rotating) Describe any of the conditions selected

Sensory Requirements

Please check the appropriate response that describe the sensory requirements for this position. Color Vision, Hearing, Near Vision, Speaking, Vision (With and without corrective lenses)

Working Conditions & Exposures

Working Conditions or Exposures (or potential exposures) that this position may encounter during the course of the work day. Please describe, in more detail, any of the conditions checked above

Working Environment

Check the appropriate box(es) that best describes the environment in which the primary function of the position is performed. Office Environment If you have indicated Other Environment, if work tasks involve one or more of the above, or if further explanation is necessary, please use the space provided.

Supplemental Questions

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Documents Needed to Apply

Required Documents

• Resume
• Cover Letter
• Reference List

Optional Documents