Senior Director of Human Resources

Senior Director of Human Resources

North Dakota State University Foundation

Fargo, ND

About NDSU Foundation

The NDSU Foundation is the nonprofit fundraising and alumni organization of North Dakota State University. Its team raises gifts, manages the endowment, runs alumni programs, and supports the campus through scholarships, named faculty positions, research, and facilities. The endowment passed $600 million in 2026 and is made up of more than 1,600 individual funds.

The Foundation's roots go back to the NDAC Alumni Association, founded in 1901. The development foundation and the alumni association now operate as one organization under the NDSU Foundation name. Foundation President and CEO John Glover leads the staff, while the Trustees and an Executive Governing Board oversee the Foundation's business affairs. Much of what the Foundation produces depends on relationships with donors and alumni that lasts for decades, which means hiring, retaining, and developing staff is essential for long term sustainability and consistency.

About the Opportunity

The Director of Human Resources is the NDSU Foundation's senior people leader. The role reports to the CFO, serves on the senior leadership team, and leads the HR department. The next Director will build on some solid frameworks and processes while thinking ahead about how the Foundation's workforce, capability, and culture can grow for increased impact.

The Foundation is looking for a leader who partners well across the whole team and earns trust quickly. The right person will use sound judgment with empathy and an approachable style. They will be intentional about policy and culture, bring people together, and confidently handle sensitive matters with kindness.

The role is mission-oriented. Much of the staff works in fundraising, and the Director will take time to understand the demands of and approaches to that work, since it shapes how the Foundation attracts and retains its people. The Director also understands the Foundation's relationship with NDSU and how alignment on strategic initiatives advances both missions.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES TO ACHIEVE SUCCESS

The Key Accountabilities for the position include but are not limited to the following:

     Leadership & Supervision

Ensure the successful performance of the HR department and lead its staff, including coaching, delegation, and professional development. Represent HR on the senior leadership team as the President/CEO's partner on people decisions.

    Talent Management

Advise leaders on organizational structure and staffing needs, and facilitate the full hiring cycle to include: creating position descriptions, determining skills needed, developing intentional interview questions, and training hiring managers on employment law and policy. Lead onboarding and offboarding, keep organizational charts current, and track recruitment, retention, and development data to guide staffing decisions.

    Compensation & Benefits

     Ensure that the Foundation's total compensation is competitive by researching market trends, leading the annual salary review, and presenting recommendations to executive leadership. Update the compensation program each year as part of annual planning. Oversee benefits administration and open enrollment in partnership with the insurance broker, and serve as the main resource for employee questions about benefits.

Performance Management 

Oversee the performance evaluation program, making sure reviews are completed on time, are thorough, consistent, and refined as appropriate. Coach and train supervisors to write and deliver reviews that are effective and help their staff grow.

Employee Relations

Serve as a trusted resource for employees and supervisors, offering advice and coaching as concerns arise and helping resolve conflicts fairly. Support supervisors through disciplinary steps and performance improvement plans, ultimately identifying where support and supervisory skills must grow prior to issues occurring.

Training and Development

Set the Foundation's strategy for professional development, including annual training for staff and supervisors, a mentoring program, and the budget and approval process for development requests. Coordinate team-building and culture activities that connect staff to the Foundation's mission and to one another.

Compliance and Employment Law

Stay current on federal, state, and local employment law, and develop personnel policies accordingly. Audit payroll, benefits, and other HR programs, recommend corrections where needed, and keep records in line with legal and retention requirements.

Safety and Wellness

Lead the Foundation's workplace safety program as safety coordinator and chair of the safety committee. Review and investigate incident and near-miss reports, recommend corrective actions, and manage workers' compensation claims.

REQUIREMENTS OF THE POSITION

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS

• Competitive salary based on experience and qualifications
• Health, Dental, and Vision Insurance 
• 401(a) and optional 403(b) Plans
• Dependent Care and Medical Flex Account
• Paid Time Off (PTO) and Paid Holidays
• Life and Short-Term Disability Insurance
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) 
• Professional Development Opportunities
• Additional voluntary benefits Available for Purchase

THE SEARCH

Sagency, an executive search and leadership consulting firm, has been retained in the search for this Senior Director of Human Resources position.

Sagency consultants will review and evaluate all interested parties to help the hiring team review a final group for consideration.

The search will be conducted in a professional manner and all potential candidates will be given consideration. Candidate conversations and information will be handled with great discretion and confidentiality. Sagency and NDSU Foundation are equal-opportunity employers.

If after reading this Opportunity Profile, you feel that your experience, skills, and passion are a good match for the organization and this role, we would like to engage with you. Please read below for the first part of the application and selection process.

The initial steps of the application and selection process:

Step 1: Interested candidates complete the online application.

Step 2: A Sagency Executive Search Consultant may schedule an initial phone call with qualified applicants.

Step 3: A Sagency Executive Search Consultant will schedule a 60-minute interview with select candidates.

Step 4: If you are selected and choose to move on to interviews with our client, you will be asked to complete an online assessment.

Step 5: First-round interviews with the client.

Thank you for your time and interest in this role.