Occidental College (Occidental or Oxy), a nationally top-ranked liberal arts college in Los Angeles, invites inquiries, nominations, and applications for its next associate vice president and chief human resources officer. This is an on-site and in-person leadership role. Founded in 1887, Occidental was one of the first liberal arts colleges in California and remains one of the small number of colleges nationwide focused strictly on undergraduate education. In 1914, Occidental moved to its present site about seven miles northeast of downtown Los Angeles, nestled between the city's Highland Park and Eagle Rock neighborhoods. It occupies a 120-acre hillside campus originally designed by the noted Beaux-Arts architect Myron Hunt. Occidental attracts an exceptionally talented and diverse student body (1,938 in Fall 2023), served by nearly 200 equally lauded faculty, 700 full- and part-time staff and administrators, and over 900 student workers committed to providing a superb education in an intimate setting.
The Position The associate vice president and chief human resources officer (CHRO) is the college's chief human resources and strategic workforce management leader. Reporting to the vice president and chief operating officer for finance, planning & operations, the CHRO will join the Occidental community at an exciting and transformative moment in its history with the arrival of President Tom Stritikus and will serve as a key advisor and business partner to the president and senior leadership team on talent and organizational development strategies that advance the college's priorities and initiatives. Accordingly, the CHRO will plan, develop, and implement policies, procedures, and projects related to all phases of human resources, ensuring Occidental College has the talent, leadership, and culture to effectively and efficiently carry out its mission. Consistent with Oxy's commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and access (DEIA), the CHRO will advance equity-centered human resources processes, policies, and initiatives and communicate the interconnectedness of DEIA and organizational excellence. Through strategic collaboration with the college's general counsel and civil rights & Title IX coordinator, they will ensure compliance with local, state, and federal employment-related regulations and policies. The CHRO will also manage and lead labor relations with two unions, including negotiating several collectively bargained contracts.
The CHRO oversees an operating budget of $1.1 million and leads a team of six professionals, including four direct reports, to ensure organizational alignment with the college's mission. To this end, the CHRO organizes a consultative and strategic unit that includes benefits, compensation, employee/labor relations and engagement, talent acquisition and staffing, student employment, human resource information systems and record-keeping, and learning and development for administrators and support staff.
Qualifications This position is an exceptional opportunity for a systems-level thinker and collaborative leader with a strong knowledge of comprehensive and innovative human resources systems, functions, and emerging practices. A master's degree and a minimum of ten years of progressively responsible experience as a broad-based human resources generalist are required, including a minimum of five years of experience in a leadership position.
To be competitively considered, candidates must exhibit significant knowledge of employment law (e.g., Federal Labor Standards Act, OSHA, ERISA, wage and hour laws, current labor legislation, and Title IX), contemporary policies and practices of personnel administration, employee classification programs, compensation and benefits, recruitment, selection, training, and employee/labor relations. Additionally, the ability to be an inclusive leader and mentor who builds high-performing teams and champions a diverse, modern workforce are priority competencies for the next CHRO.
Application Process Occidental College has retained the services of Spelman Johnson, a premier national executive search firm, to assist with leading this search. Review of applications will begin on Monday, June 17, 2024, and continue until the position is filled. A resume with an accompanying cover letter should be submitted via the Spelman Johnson website at .
Nominations for this position may be emailed to Michel R. Frendian, senior consultant, at . Applicants needing reasonable accommodation to participate in the application process should contact Spelman Johnson at or email .
The anticipated hiring range for the AVP/CHRO is $180,000-$200,000. The final base salary compensation will be determined based on factors such as skills, education, and experience. In addition to those factors, Occidental complies with applicable pay equity laws and considers internal equity among current employees when developing the final offer.
Visit the Occidental College website at and the Occidental College Human Resources web page at . In addition to its commitment to a harassment-free educational and working environment, Occidental College is an equal employment opportunity employer. The College is committed to a policy of equal employment opportunities for all applicants and employees and complies with all applicable state and federal laws on the matter. The College does not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, breastfeeding or related medical condition, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, age, marital status, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition, genetic characteristic or information, sexual orientation, military and veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by state or federal law. Equal employment opportunity will be extended to all persons in all aspects of the employer-employee relationship, including recruitment, hiring, training, promotion, compensation, benefits, transfer, discipline, layoff, rehire, termination, and social and recreational programs.
