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Associate Vice Predient of Human Resources
Central Washington University invites applications for its next Associate Vice President of Human Resources, a key leadership role helping shape the future of HR across the university.Our next AVP will lead a team of HR professionals while strengthening our foundational HR practices, navigating a complex labor environment, improving systems and processes, and building strong partnerships across the university.We’re looking for someone who brings deep HR expertise and is equally comfortable listening, building trust, developing leaders, and thoughtfully challenging how work gets done.If you’re energized by the opportunity to help shape the future of an HR organization and make a meaningful impact across a university community, we’d love to hear from you.
About this role:
The Associate Vice President (AVP) of Human Resources is responsible for planning, developing, and implementing a fully integrated human resources and organizational strategy for the university reflecting the university’s vision of becoming a model learning community of access and opportunity. The AVP will act as a strategic partner to university leaders and provide insightful, innovative thinking and problem solving regarding human resources and organizational initiatives.
The AVP HR is responsible for establishing, leading, and executing the strategies and programs designed to continuously improve the overall employee experience at Central, with an emphasis on onboarding, performance, development, and retention of employees. This position provides excellent human resource leadership and management of a whole person/customer-focused operation with a student-centered approach, and must be adept at working in fast-paced and growth-minded environments, adapting to change quickly, and acting as a positive change agent.
Reporting to the Sr. Vice President of Finance and Administration, this position maintains close working relationships with administrative and other personnel of the university, public agencies, and the general public. The AVP HR works collaboratively and collegially with all levels of the university community, including the president, vice presidents, department heads, deans, faculty, and staff to address a variety of HR- and culture-related issues.
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree AND five years of progressively responsible leadership experience, including senior-level administrative experience in human resources (may include some combination of HR service and/or HR strategic/planning responsibilities).
- Demonstrated commitment to fostering a culture of collaboration, respect, and institutional excellence through leadership and engagement with students and/or colleagues.
- Change management knowledge and demonstrated experience in implementing change effectively.
- Record of positive relationship-building both within and outside the organization and areas of responsibility.
- Experience with unions and labor-management issues.
- Experience leading investigations.
- Excellent interpersonal, writing, speaking, analytical, priority setting, and leadership skills.
- Proven ability to work effectively and collaboratively with people from a wide range of abilities, backgrounds, and experiences.
- Experience in conflict management and building this competency in others.
- Ability to work under pressure and thrive in ambiguity.
- Ability to effectively manage difficult and/or urgent situations and work with multiple constituents toward resolution, delivering quality work that oftentimes includes tight deadlines.
- Thorough knowledge of human resources functions, programs, and legal requirements.
- OR an applicable combination of education and/or experience which demonstrates the ability to perform the essential functions of the position.
Preferred Qualifications
- Master’s degree in HR Management, Business Administration, or related field or a Juris Doctorate.
- Human resource experience in a state or other type of governmental system.
- Experience working in higher education.
- Experience with data-driven decision models or practices.
- SPHR/PHR or SHRM-CP/SHRM-SCP certification.
- A record of promoting institutional excellence in the work environment.
- Ability to incorporate a variety of perspectives and relevant societal issues into everyday conversations.
Anticipated hiring range: $158,900 to $220,000
Central Washington University offers employee benefits designed to support employees and their families. Learn more about CWU’s benefits and leave offerings here:
https://www.cwu.edu/about/offices/human-resources/benefits-leave/index.php
Application deadline: October 18, 2026
*As you read through the job posting and review the list of qualifications (required and/or preferred), please do not self-select out if you feel you do not meet every qualification. No one is 100% qualified. We encourage you to apply and share your story with us.
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