What are the responsibilities and job description for the Senior Director, Human Resources position at Alice L. Walton School of Medicine?
Alice L. Walton School of Medicine (AWSOM) is seeking experienced, motivated, and dedicated leaders and educators to participate in the design and delivery of an innovative four-year medical school curriculum that engages medical students in active and novel learning.
Job Description:
About Us
Founded in 2021, Alice L. Walton School of Medicine (AWSOM) is a nonprofit, four-year MD program enhancing traditional medical education with the arts, humanities, and whole health principles. The School’s culture embraces self-care to empower students to care for their own well-being as well as their patients’. The School’s state-of-the-art medical education facility is under construction in Bentonville, Arkansas on the Crystal Bridges campus, home to Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art and Heartland Whole Health Institute. The School has been granted preliminary accreditation status by the Liaison Committee on Medical Education.
What We Seek
We are building a cadre of medical professionals trained in conventional medicine and in whole health, by reimagining medical education. We seek leaders and faculty who are excited by this endeavor. We are building a health care learning and delivery environment in which diversity is a strength and highly valued. Thus, we seek candidates who contribute to diversity in all its forms. Ideal candidates are committed to our goals of inclusive excellence, and to facilitating optimal health for all using a whole health approach.
Faculty and staff members will contribute to the development and rollout of the ARCHES curriculum, which is built on evidence-based approaches to teaching and learning. It includes the following six core elements:
About The Position
The Senior Director of Human Resources is a key member of the leadership team at the Alice L. Walton School of Medicine (AWSOM). This person is responsible for overseeing the development and execution of human resources strategies that align with the medical school’s goals and values. This position leads a team of HR professionals and collaborates with senior leadership of the medical school, and leadership of Art & Wellness Enterprise to drive a high-performance culture, talent management, organizational development, and employee engagement across the organization. The Senior Director serves as a strategic partner, advising on HR-related matters and ensuring that HR practices support the organization's growth, retention, and overall success.
Major Responsibilities/Essential Functions Specific to The Position:
Strategic Leadership & HR Strategy Development
Applicants should submit the following materials:
Job Description:
About Us
Founded in 2021, Alice L. Walton School of Medicine (AWSOM) is a nonprofit, four-year MD program enhancing traditional medical education with the arts, humanities, and whole health principles. The School’s culture embraces self-care to empower students to care for their own well-being as well as their patients’. The School’s state-of-the-art medical education facility is under construction in Bentonville, Arkansas on the Crystal Bridges campus, home to Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art and Heartland Whole Health Institute. The School has been granted preliminary accreditation status by the Liaison Committee on Medical Education.
What We Seek
We are building a cadre of medical professionals trained in conventional medicine and in whole health, by reimagining medical education. We seek leaders and faculty who are excited by this endeavor. We are building a health care learning and delivery environment in which diversity is a strength and highly valued. Thus, we seek candidates who contribute to diversity in all its forms. Ideal candidates are committed to our goals of inclusive excellence, and to facilitating optimal health for all using a whole health approach.
Faculty and staff members will contribute to the development and rollout of the ARCHES curriculum, which is built on evidence-based approaches to teaching and learning. It includes the following six core elements:
- Art of Healing
- Research
- Clinical
- Health Systems Science
- Embracing Whole Health
- Science of Medicine
About The Position
The Senior Director of Human Resources is a key member of the leadership team at the Alice L. Walton School of Medicine (AWSOM). This person is responsible for overseeing the development and execution of human resources strategies that align with the medical school’s goals and values. This position leads a team of HR professionals and collaborates with senior leadership of the medical school, and leadership of Art & Wellness Enterprise to drive a high-performance culture, talent management, organizational development, and employee engagement across the organization. The Senior Director serves as a strategic partner, advising on HR-related matters and ensuring that HR practices support the organization's growth, retention, and overall success.
Major Responsibilities/Essential Functions Specific to The Position:
Strategic Leadership & HR Strategy Development
- Develop and execute HR strategies that align with the medical school’s objectives and priorities.
- Partner with senior leadership to define medical school’s goals and ensure HR strategies are in alignment to drive business outcomes.
- Lead HR transformation initiatives to foster an agile, performance-driven, and inclusive culture.
- Provide strategic counsel and recommendations to executive leadership, and faculty leadership on critical HR issues.
- Oversee succession planning, leadership development, and employee training initiatives to nurture high-potential employees and build leadership pipelines.
- Oversee, implement performance management frameworks and talent reviews that support employee growth and organizational success.
- Lead, design, and develop compensation plans for staff and faculty.
- Oversee and address organizational development.
- Drive employee engagement and retention initiatives, focusing on creating a positive and productive work environment.
- Partner with AWE People Services for Employee Relations & Labor policy and activity. Serve as a trusted advisor on employee relations issues, ensuring compliance with labor laws, regulations, and company policies.
- Foster a positive, inclusive, and respectful organizational culture that promotes high levels of employee engagement and satisfaction.
- Serve as key liaison with legal counsel on human resource related matters.
- Develop and launch employee and labor relations unit within AWSOM.
- Oversee the development and implementation of HR programs, processes, and systems to improve operational efficiency.
- Analyze HR metrics and data to make informed decisions and continuously improve HR programs.
- Lead, develop, and mentor a team of HR professionals, ensuring alignment with organizational goals and performance expectations.
- Build a high-performance HR team that is responsive to the needs of the business and fosters a collaborative, solution-oriented approach.
- Foster strong relationships with Faculty Affairs & Development.
- Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or related field required
- MBA or advanced HR certification (e.g., SPHR, SHRM-SCP) preferred.
- 10 years of progressive leadership experience in Human Resources, with at least 5 years in a senior director or executive-level HR position.
- Medical School / Academic Medicine/ Healthcare related expertise preferred: Leverage knowledge of academic HR practices to address the unique challenges of a medical education institution. Support faculty affairs including appointments promotions and compliance with academic policies. Ensure compliance with federal and state regulations impacting medical education.
- Proven track record in driving HR strategy, talent management, and organizational development in a complex, fast-paced environment.
- Strong knowledge of HR best practices, labor laws, and regulations.
- Demonstrated experience in managing large-scale change initiatives, leading HR teams, and working with C-suite executives.
- Exceptional communication, interpersonal, and leadership skills.
- Strategic thinking and business acumen
- Strong decision-making and problem-solving skills
- Leadership and team development expertise
- Effective communication and negotiation skills
- Change management and organizational development expertise
Applicants should submit the following materials:
- Resume and cover letter
