Yavapai College (YC), approved by voters in 1966 and broke ground on its first campus in Prescott in 1968, is a comprehensive community college primarily serving the 232,000 residents of Yavapai County, a service district larger than four states and with twice the national average of people 65 and older. With now six locations, the College offers a host of transfer and career-technical coursework, degrees, and certificates in a variety of programming areas. Unique destination programs include Aviation, Gunsmithing, Mining, Northern Arizona Regional (Police) Training Academy, and Viticulture & Enology. YC ensures that Yavapai County is a premier place to learn, work, and live by enriching the community in providing accessible, quality workforce, transfer, lifelong, and cultural learning opportunities.
The College Council is YC's participatory governance model for interactive communication and information-sharing for all college groups, including faculty, staff, and students. The Council meets regularly to conduct ongoing communication and advise the President on important college-wide matters with the focus on the College's mission and student success.
ABOUT THE AREA
With 300 days of sunny skies and temperate weather, Yavapai County is a favorite destination for residents of Arizona and beyond. Surrounded by natural scenic beauty, outdoor activities such as hiking, biking, and rock climbing are hugely popular. Dozens of miles of groomed trails and picturesque locales like Red Rock State Park, Granite Mountain, Thumb Butte, West Fork Trail, and Watson Lake afford stunning views year-round.
Yavapai County is a place where there is still a sense of community with numerous annual community events such as local harvest festivals, arts & crafts shows, and community holiday parades. The region is rich in history and its past is maintained in various forms by local museums. Unique shopping opportunities exist throughout the county from Prescott Square to the winding streets to Jerome, to old town Cottonwood. The Verde Valley Wine Trail is a great way to learn about the burgeoning wine industry in Yavapai County. Local theater is alive and well, through community theaters, the Elks Opera House, and the Yavapai College Performing Arts Center. Annual music events include the Sedona Music Festival, Prescott Bluegrass Festival, and the Acker Musical Showcase. Signature events such as the Sedona Film Festival and the World's Oldest Rodeo showcase the truly unique flavor of Northern Arizona! The area offers something for everyone.
While servicing the entire district, the CHRO is based in Prescott, which is 90 minutes north of Phoenix and abuts the largest stand of Ponderosa Pines in the nation - the Prescott National Forest. In the heart of Yavapai County, this moderately sized mountain community rests approximately a mile above sea level and enjoys a mild, four-season climate.
POSITION SUMMARY
The Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO) provides strategic leadership by articulating the human resource strategy development and advises the leadership team on human resource issues/needs in support of the overall business plan and strategic direction of the institution. This includes succession planning, leadership development, talent management, change management, organizational development, and performance management. The CHRO will establish and implement HR programs and policies that effectively communicate and support the College's vision, mission, values, and strategic vision. The CHRO functions as a strategic business partner to the Executive Leadership Team and college management regarding key organizational and management issues. This individual works with the Executive Leadership Team to establish a sound talent management plan including succession planning, training, and leadership development that corresponds to the strategy and objectives of the College. The role also develops comprehensive recruiting and retention programs to meet the human capital needs of strategic goals, recommends and implements comprehensive compensation and benefits programs that are competitive and cost-effective, and provides overall leadership and supervision to the HR function enabling the human resources organization to improve the internal and external customer experience in support of student success. Additionally, the CHRO serves as Chair of the Policy Review Committee, a subcommittee of the College Council, that oversees the establishment and review of all college policies.
Reporting directly to the President, the CHRO oversees a budget of $1,083,283 covering staff, organizational expenses, staff development, and employee recognition and events. The CHRO has three direct reports and a team of seven, leading an organization of 500 full-time and 650 part-time employees.
OPPORTUNITIES AND CHALLENGES
Organizational Development
Reduce turnaround time for hiring decisions, implement/revise procedures
Standardize performance management process and tools
Promote high functionality - further automation and consistent application of forms, processes, and procedures
Promote Talent Management - strategic and operational design, continue implementation and improvement in training and development for all levels of employees including job-specific, managerial, and leadership
A highly talented and committed HR team will benefit from further assessment, development, and functional deployment
Recruit and retain under-represented employees in an increasingly competitive market
Strategically gather, establish, articulate, and implement a vision for the human resources organization optimizing the human capital life cycle
Focus on student success and HR as a service
Relationship Building - Collaborative and Decisive Leadership
Build strong collaborative and effective relationships throughout the college including an elected Governing Board, six locations, the senior executive team, and internal human resources organization
Make decisions that are timely, informed, and action-oriented amidst a range of options and ambiguity
Achieve and maintain operational consistency in terms of decisions and human resources deliverables
Listen, translate and address the diverse needs of multiple constituencies
Through collaboration, identify and develop efficiencies across the organization
HOW TO APPLY
The President and the search committee invite interest in the Chief Human Resources Officer position at Yavapai College. All inquiries, nominations, referrals, and applications are confidential and are to be directed to the search consultant.
Soft Application Deadline: August 21, 2022
While the position is open until filled, materials received by this date are guaranteed full consideration. All confidential inquiries, nominations, referrals, and applications should be directed to:
Sheila Lehker, Senior Vice President Cizek Associates, Inc. 602-553-1066 telephone chroyavapai@cizekassociates.com
A complete application includes:
Letter of Interest showing alignment with the Position Profile (not to exceed 5 pages)
Resume (chronological preferred)
References (minimum of six professional references including direct email and telephone)
Yavapai College is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of age, race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, or veteran status.Minimum Expectations & Requirements
Master's degree in business administration, human resources, organizational development or equivalent in a related field
Ten years of progressively responsible human resources experience in all facets of human resources - including recruitment, benefits, employee relations, training, organizational development, etc.
Five years of experience in leadership/management level in an HR capacity
Two years of experience in a higher education environment
Preferred Skills & Abilities
Recognized relevant HR certifications such as SHRM, HRCI, etc.
Experience working in a community college
Community College teaching experience
Experience and proficiency in spreadsheets, databases, document software, CRM, etc.
A visionary, servant leader with a history of collaborative relationships and inclusive leadership and management style
Experience in program development, faculty development, and strategic planning
Experience working with diverse populations with a demonstrated commitment to diversity and inclusion and active promotion of diversity and inclusion in the workplace
Proven track record in optimistic, engaged strategic leadership
Evidence of experience quickly gaining confidence and establishing credibility among executive peers, employees, and constituent groups relative to human resources strategy, policy, and implementation
Evidence of strong decision-making skills and effective follow-through to implementation
Essential Functions
Physical Demands
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit and talk or hear. The employee is frequently required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel. The employee is occasionally required to stand; walk and reach with hands and arms. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and the ability to adjust focus.
Accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions
Work Environment
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.
Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The
Requirements and competencies listed are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable
Accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions
