Executive Director of Human Resources

Posting will be open until filled.

Founded in 1961, Highline College is the first community college in King County. Nestled in between Seattle and Tacoma, Highline has graduated over 350,000 alumni and is one of the state’s largest institutions and one of 34 community and technical colleges in the state of Washington. Highline College is located on the traditional village sites of the Muckleshoot, Puyallup and many other Coast Salish tribes. Highline College is proud to be the most diverse college in the state of Washington. 

Highline prioritizes diversity, equity, inclusion, anti-racism, and access for all students, staff, and faculty, which is evident in our Mission, Vision, and Values. When you come to Highline College, you bring unique personal experiences, beliefs, and perspectives. We celebrate our diverse community and strive to provide and highlight resources to support our students. We are committed to the well-being of our global community. We honor and value the dignity of all individuals and are committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace that reflects the communities we serve and encourage all well qualified individuals of all backgrounds to apply. 

Highline College also offers a comprehensive benefits package which includes excellent medical, dental, life, and long-term disability insurance through the Public Employee Benefits Board (PEBB), along with retirement benefits through TIAA and the Department of Retirement Systems. We also offer ample paid time off as well as hybrid work and value work-life balance.

Position Summary 

The Executive Director of HR is a strategic leader managing all aspects of the human resources function, including recruitment and selection, training, employee relations, collective bargaining, payroll and benefits, employee development and retention. The Executive Director of HR will collaborate with senior leadership to develop and implement HR strategies and initiatives that align with the college’s overall objectives and promote a diverse, positive work culture. As a member of the Executive Cabinet, the Executive Director of HR reports directly to the College President.

• Advises senior and executive leaders regarding employee relations and workforce management issues;
• Provides executive level direction, guidance and policy formation for all employment and personnel operations of the college, and leads efforts to improve the department's effectiveness and efficiency;
• Advises college management, faculty, and staff on human resources issues and provides guidance and consultation as needed;
• Leads efforts to improve and strengthen processing of personnel, benefits and payroll information;
• Partners with the Vice President of Equity, Diversity and Transformation and other members of Senior Leadership to develop strategies and opportunities to recruit and retain a diverse workforce that is reflective of the global diversity of the student population;
• Coordinates with leadership in creating and negotiating successor agreements and impact bargaining with the Vice President of Academic Affairs.

• Implements board and college policies to further strategic objectives of the college;
• Develops and maintains any required affirmative action plan in compliance with existing federal law and college policy;
• Serves as Deputy Title IX Coordinator;
• Ensures compliance with all applicable HR regulations including but not limited to: ADA, Title IX,  Sexual Harassment, Discrimination, FMLA, Workers Compensation, etc.; 
• Ensures compliance and consistency in practices related to collective bargaining agreements;
• Conducts detailed analysis of all institutional positions;
• Analyzes positions to develop and fill new positions, reclassifies existing vacant positions prior to recruitment, or in response to written requests by incumbents, supervisors or appointing authorities;
• Ensures compliance with I-9 employment/immigration verification matters.

• Manages and leads a team of professional Human Resources staff;
• Develops comprehensive training programs that create and maintain a skilled, committed workforce capable of providing the services and awareness of the compliance issues necessary for a high-performing higher education institution including Title IX compliance;
• Develops a strong and effective recruitment and employment program ensuring diversity, quality staffing, and employee retention;
• Leads talent management initiatives, including performance management, annual performance reviews, and leadership development;
• Manages the classification and compensation programs to ensure employees are correctly and competitively compensated.

• Identifies trends and issues related to employee relations and develop proactive solutions to address them;
• Serves as a lead point of contact for employees and managers regarding workplace conflicts, grievances, and disciplinary concerns per collective bargaining agreements;
• Conducts thorough investigations into employee complaints and allegations of misconduct to include recommendations on appropriate resolutions and corrective actions;
• Participates and co-leads negotiations with labor unions to establish or renew collective bargaining agreements; 
• As stipulated in current negotiated agreements, serve as a primary point of contact for resolving labor disputes, grievances, and arbitrations.
• Recommends and implements solutions to address workplace conflicts and promote productive labor relations.
• Advises management and HR on labor law matters, including union organizing campaigns and unfair labor practices.
• Interprets and enforces provisions of collective bargaining agreements.

• Collaboration;
• Leadership;
• Negotiation skills;
• Interpersonal skills;
• Adaptability;
• Strategic thinking;
• Conflict resolution;
• Investigation skills.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor's Degree in business administration, public administration, human resources management, organizational development or a related field; AND

• 5 years of experience leading or managing the human resources function; AND
• Understanding of personnel practices and of state (civil service) and federal laws relating to classified personnel, and Affirmative Action.

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS:

• Master's Degree in a related field and/or certification by SHRM or HRCI;

• Human resources management experience in community or technical colleges in Washington State;

• Experience operating in a union environment and conducting union contract negotiations;
• Experience managing or supervising an operational work unit outside of Human Resources functional areas.

Supplemental Information

Applicants considered for this position will be required to disclose if they are the subject of any substantiated findings or current investigations related to sexual misconduct at their current employment and past employment. Disclosure is required under Washington state law.

MISSION AND VISION

As an essential part of our mission and vision, diversity, equity and inclusion are promoted and fostered in all aspects of college life.

APPLICATION PROCEDURE

Your online application must include the following to be considered complete:

1. A detailed resume that addresses the MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS of the position;

2. A letter of application/cover letter (two-page maximum, recommended) that addresses your ability to meet the QUALIFICATIONS, and KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES for the position;

3. A one-page response to the Supplemental Question.

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT:

• National Criminal Background Check may be required.

APPLICATIONS MUST BE FILED ONLINE AT:

https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/highline

NEED APPLICATION HELP?

Should you have any difficulties uploading your documents or navigating the application process, please contact NEOGOV Technical Support at 1-855-524- 5627, Monday - Friday 6:00 AM to 6:00PM Pacific Time.

HIGHLINE COLLEGE IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

Highline College is an equal opportunity employer. The College is committed to enhancing the diversity of our faculty and staff, as well as our student population. We strive to create a working environment that includes and respects cultural, racial, ethnic, sexual orientations, and gender identity diversity. We strongly encourage applicants to apply without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, marital or veteran status, disability, or any other legal protected status.

REASONABLE ACCOMMODATIONS

The College complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act. Applicants needing accommodations in the application process in an alternative format may contact the Human Resources office at (206) 592-3812. Persons who are deaf or hard of hearing may dial 711 to place a call through Washington Relay, the state's free telecommunication access service.

TITLE IX POLICY

Highline College complies with Title IX regulations. For details on our policies, see our website https://humanresources.highline.edu/faculty-and-staff/policies/title-ix/

The College appointing authorities reserve the right and may exercise the option to make an employment decision prior to the conclusion of the recruitment process.

Salary : $130,000 - $140,000