Southern Illinois University Edwardsville

Associate Vice Chancellor for Human Resources

Academic Career & Executive Search is pleased to assist Southern Illinois University Edwardsville in its search for Associate Vice Chancellor for Human Resources. 

For full consideration, please apply by February 10, 2026.

This is a rare and highly impactful leadership opportunity to shape the future of Human Resources at a moment of extraordinary growth and transformation. Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (SIUE) seeks an accomplished HR executive to serve as Associate Vice Chancellor for Human Resources (AVC HR), a newly elevated role designed to reflect the University’s deep commitment to modernizing and strengthening HR as a strategic, future-focused institutional partner. Formerly titled Director of Human Resources, this position has been re-envisioned and enhanced, signaling SIUE’s recognition that HR is central to the University’s long-term success, organizational culture, and workforce strategy.

SIUE’s momentum underscores the significance of this appointment. The University has achieved notable enrollment growth, including a 7.7% increase in Fall 2025, alongside major investments in academic innovation and campus infrastructure. These include construction of a new state-of-the-art Health Sciences Complex supporting the Schools of Pharmacy and Nursing, as well regional partnerships such as The Wedge Powered by SIUE, which advances economic development, innovation, and community engagement across the Metro East and greater St. Louis region.

The AVC HR will provide enterprise-wide leadership for a workforce of more than 2,300 employees across multiple campuses, including the main campus in Edwardsville, the School of Dental Medicine in Alton, a grant-funded Head Start unit and educational programs in East St. Louis, and forensic science program in Belleville. In a complex, unionized environment with 17 collective bargaining units, the AVC HR will reengineer core HR processes, strengthen workforce culture and engagement, modernize HR systems and infrastructure, and lead labor relations with credibility and effectiveness. This role requires both strategic perspective and hands-on execution with close collaboration across academic and administrative leadership to ensure HR practices align with institutional priorities, compliance obligations, and SIUE’s commitments to equity, diversity, and anti-racism.

Reporting to the Vice Chancellor for Finance and Administration, the AVC HR will work in close partnership with the Chancellor and senior leadership to build a responsive, collaborative, and high-performing HR organization aligned with the University’s mission, values, and long-term goals. This is a capstone role for an HR leader to shape the future of a complex public institution, influence organizational culture at scale, and leave a lasting impact on a university serving students, employees, and communities across the region.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

The Associate Vice Chancellor for Human Resources provides strategic and operational leadership for a comprehensive HR enterprise serving a complex, multi-campus public university. Operating at the intersection of strategy, compliance, labor relations, and organizational effectiveness, the AVC HR leads institution-wide efforts to modernize HR operations, strengthen workforce culture, and align human resources practices with the University’s mission and regulatory environment.

• Lead the Human Resources Department supporting more than 2,300 employees across three campus locations.
• Partner with the Chancellor, Vice Chancellors, Deans, and Directors to advance HR strategies, workforce planning, and talent management initiatives.
• Oversee labor relations, including negotiations, contract administration, and grievance processes, ensuring agreements are fair, fiscally responsible, and operationally effective.
• Interpret, monitor, and support compliance with collective bargaining agreements while maintaining constructive relationships with labor organizations.
• Lead initiatives to streamline HR processes, optimize HRIS functionality, and improve transparency and service responsiveness.
• Ensure compliance with State University Civil Service System (SUCSS), SURS, IRS, and other applicable regulatory requirements.
• Advise senior leadership on legislative, regulatory, and compliance matters impacting HR operations.
• Respond effectively to emergent HR issues arising from federal or state mandates, executive orders, or institutional priorities.
• Evaluate HR policies and procedures and develop a coherent policy framework that provides clear guidance while supporting the academic mission.
• Design and administer staff compensation programs that are competitive, equitable, and aligned with the institution’s financial capacity.
• Ensure benefits administration and payroll operations are efficient, compliant, and cost-effective.
• Establish accountability through the use of data, analytics, and technology to assess and advance university-wide HR practices.
• Recruit, develop, and mentor a high-performing HR team while fostering a culture of collaboration, innovation, and engagement.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• Broad HR functional expertise, including labor relations, talent acquisition, compensation, benefits, employee relations, HRIS, and compliance.
• Deep knowledge and involvement in Union relations
• Demonstrated ability to lead HR transformation, process improvement, and organizational change initiatives.
• Strong strategic and operational leadership skills, with the ability to balance vision and hands-on execution.
• Proven problem-solving ability with creative, solutions-oriented approach.
• Excellent communication, collaboration, and interpersonal skills; demonstrated ability to build trust across diverse constituencies.
• Demonstrated commitment to equity, diversity, inclusion, and anti-racism initiatives.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources Management, Business Management, Business Administration, or closely related field.
• 5 - 7 years of progressively responsible HR experience, including supervision of staff.
• Experience in complex, multi-union environments.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Master’s degree or advanced terminal degree in a related field.
• Professional HR certification such as PHR, SPHR, SHRM-CP, or SHRM-SCP.

• Higher education experience.
• Knowledge or familiarity of Illinois labor law.

About the Institution

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (SIUE) is a nationally recognized, comprehensive public university that delivers a high-quality education focused on student success, social and economic mobility, and workforce development. As a premier metropolitan university, SIUE combines a strong liberal arts foundation with hands-on research, experiential learning, and real-world application to prepare students to thrive in a global economy and strengthen the communities it serves.

Situated on 2,660 acres of scenic woodland overlooking the Mississippi River bluffs and just minutes from downtown St. Louis, SIUE enrolls more than 12,500 students across the Edwardsville campus and additional locations in Alton and East St. Louis. The University offers a wide array of undergraduate, graduate, and professional programs across the arts and sciences, business, education, engineering, health and human behavior, nursing, pharmacy, and dental medicine, as well as doctoral programs in nursing practice and educational leadership.

SIUE is deeply engaged with its region through clinical education, community-based programs, applied research, and partnerships that address workforce needs, public health, education, and economic development. Central to the University’s mission is a commitment to access, equity, community impact, and the preparation of graduates who contribute meaningfully as professionals and leaders.

Living in the Area

Edwardsville, Illinois consistently ranks among the most desirable communities in the region, offering a high quality of life with a favorable cost of living, strong public and private schools, vibrant neighborhoods, and abundant outdoor amenities. The community blends the feel of a welcoming college town with the resources and stability of a growing metropolitan area, making it an attractive location for professionals and families.

Located just minutes from downtown St. Louis, Missouri, SIUE provides convenient access to a major metropolitan region with nationally recognized healthcare systems, cultural institutions, professional sports, dining, and entertainment. Residents enjoy the advantages of a quieter, more affordable living environment while remaining closely connected to the economic, cultural, and civic opportunities of one of the nation’s most dynamic Midwestern cities. Learn more about the area here.

To Apply 

For full consideration, please apply by February 10, 2026.

To be viewed by the search firm, you must apply directly at: https://acesrch.applicantstack.com/x/detail/a21esjyh8x7a

Please apply through the application link and do not email applications.

Applications will be reviewed as they are received and should include a cover letter and curriculum vita. Ideally cover letters should not exceed two pages. All applications are treated confidentially.

Inquiries, referrals, and nominations are also treated confidentially.

Inquiries and questions: Please send to SIUEAVCHR@acesrch.com.

Nominations and referrals: Please send the nominee’s name, title, and contact information if available to nominations@acesrch.com.

Anticipated Salary Range: $160,000–176,700.

SIUE offers an exceptional array of benefits to all full-time and part-time employees (50% or more receive benefits accrued at the percentage of appointment) including:

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• University tuition waivers (full-time employees receive 100% waiver of tuition)
• Life insurance
• SURS retirement plan
• Supplemental retirement savings plans
• Paid vacation and sick leave accrual
• Generous holiday schedule/paid holidays
• WorkLife programs
• Employee Assistance Program (mental health and wellness)
• Employee discounts (local and national retailers)
• Flexible Spending Account Program

For more about SIUE benefits and employee services, visit: https://www.siue.edu/human-resources/benefits.

Institutional Information

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is an equal opportunity employer and thus prohibits discrimination against employees, applicants for employment and students on the basis of age, color, disability, marital status, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, or veteran's status.