Associate Vice President of Human Resources

Nevada State University appreciates your interest in employment. To ensure your application process runs smoothly, we ask that you keep in mind the following when completing your application:

• The required documents are listed below on the posting. Your application may not be considered if you do not attach the required documents.

• Draft applications are saved automatically and can be accessed through your candidate home account. Completed applications must be submitted prior to the close of the recruitment. Once a recruitment has closed, applications will no longer be accepted.

• Please note, recruitment will close without notice when a hiring decision has been made.

If you need assistance or have questions regarding the application process, please contact the Human Resources department at (702) 992-2320 or [email protected].

Nevada State University invites applications for the position of Associate Vice President of Human Resources (AVP-HR). Reporting directly to the Vice President of Finance and Business Operations, the AVP-HR serves as a strategic and participative leader in the critical role of planning, developing, and implementing quality-based HR programs and services for the University. The person will provide oversight and tactical hands-on support for HR functions including talent acquisition, employee onboarding, training and development, performance management, labor and employee relations, Title IX, EEO/AA, ADAAA, compensation and classification, workforce planning, HRIS/records management, Conflict of Interest, and Disability Compliance matters for the campus community. The person in this position is responsible for the collaborative creation of HR policies, programs, and practices on campus. The AVP-HR oversees coordination with a centralized system office, the Nevada System of Higher Education (NSHE), that processes payroll, benefits, leave, and employee assistance programs. The AVP-HR must stay abreast of federal, state, system, and local laws and industry best practices.

The successful candidate will be a proven leader with experience in managing change in a team focused environment, sensing and responding to customer feedback, and a commitment to a strategic, integrated, analytical, and proactive approach to service delivery. The successful incumbent will foster a high-quality, progressive, innovative work environment by providing strategic leadership to anticipate, identify, analyze, and balance institutional and employee needs, thinking critically regarding business efficiency and effectiveness, and emphasizing utilization of AI and other innovative technologies to responsibly and ethically drive efficiency and continuous improvement across HR functions.

About the institution:

Nevada State University, a four-year Minority Serving public institution with a statewide mission, is dedicated to excellence in teaching and learning and committed to the advancement of a diverse and largely underserved student population. Designated a Hispanic Serving (HSI) and Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Institution (AANAPI), Nevada State is a university where teaching and student support are valued above all else.

Nevada State University continues to grow as an institution of higher education. In Fall 2025, the enrollment surpassed 8,400, with 8,287 undergraduate students and 117 graduate students. A majority of our students are first generation, racial/ethnic minorities, parents, and/or returning students, of which 48% are Hispanic, 10% are Asian/Pacific Islander, 10% are Black/African American, and 22% are White.

We celebrate the storied backgrounds of our campus community. We operate with a shared commitment to represent and serve the diverse population of Nevada and to encourage the exchange of ideas that respects and honors the lived experiences of our students, staff, and faculty. We foster a culture of inclusive excellence so our members can live authentically, fully engage, and flourish. In order to strengthen the university and progress its mission, the university dedicates itself to intentional and ongoing reflection to meeting the evolving needs of Nevada State University, the surrounding communities, and the State of Nevada.

We seek applicants who are passionate about working with this promising student population and collaborating with faculty and staff across departments to make a lasting impact in developing our institution and our community. 

We encourage you to highlight your background in fostering an inclusive campus culture and supporting the success of students who are historically underrepresented in higher education.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Provides leadership to the HR team in talent acquisition, operations, employee relations, employee engagement and retention, and organizational development efforts.
• Oversees a team of six, including a Director of HR, Director of Title IX, Employee Relations and Training Coordinator, Benefits and Wellness Coordinator, Human Resource Generalist, and a Personnel Analyst.
• Creates an environment that is collaborative, customer service oriented, efficient, proactive, and continually focused on business process improvement.
• Provides counsel to the President and Executive Leadership Team members on all matters related to HR and in support of university-wide goals and objectives.
• Partners with the NSHE office and the other NSHE institutions to ensure alignment and integration as well as best practices of HR functions. Serves as Nevada State’s representative on NSHE’s HR Advisory Committee.
• Prepares, manages, and oversees HR budgets.
• Exhibits the highest professional standards and ethical principles and demonstrates commitment to the tenets of Nevada State’s mission and vision, adding strategic value to the University.
• Demonstrates dedication to supporting a rapidly growing, diverse workforce.

Recruiting and Employment

• Provides training on search processes and search committee responsibilities.
• Acts as a subject matter expert on and provides consultation to search committees and supervisors on position descriptions, vacancy announcements, etc.
• Facilitates the university search process and ensures searches are conducted in an equitable, accessible, and timely fashion.
• Consults on effective talent acquisition strategies including recruitment of diverse, top talent.

Performance Management and Professional Development

• Leads an annual employee evaluation process for administrative faculty and classified staff and works collaboratively with the Provost/Academic Affairs division for academic faculty annual evaluations. 
• Provides training and professional development for supervisors to effectively manage ongoing feedback, disciplinary action, and effective evaluations.
• Oversees HR Learning and Development activities, programs, and platforms.
• Leads development and oversight of a Leadership Academy.
• Ensures new employee orientation and exit interviews are conducted.

Classification and Compensation

• Develops and aligns with a guiding institutional Compensation Philosophy.
• Provides strategic direction and oversight of the university's wage and salary programs including implementing and maintaining, within the scope of the NSHE salary schedules, a classification and compensation system that equitably compensates all employees.
• Ensures regulatory compliance and competitive salary levels necessary to attract and retain qualified staff.
• Leads evaluations of equity and reclassification reviews. 

Employee Relations

• Works closely with university leadership and employees to improve employee relations, build morale, resolve conflicts, and increase productivity and retention.
• Develops employee relations strategies and programs that minimize and mediate workplace disputes and foster a positive work environment.
• Owns a robust employee relations process and verifies employee relations matters are handled confidentially, impartially, and in accordance with all relevant laws, rules, regulations, and policies and practices.
• Collaborates with university General Counsel regarding employment issues and related regulations.
• Administers, oversees, and manages all aspects of Nevada State’s EEO/AA functions. Ensures campus-wide compliance with applicable laws, regulations, and policies related to EEO/AA, and ADAAA. Serve as the faculty/staff ADA Officer.
• Conducts investigations and responds to complaints which may include complaints under Title VII, Title IX, ADA, and all other federal and state regulations. Collects and analyzes data, writes comprehensive reports, and maintains files and records confidentially.
• Conducts investigations and resolves employee relations issues and complaints, ensuring the maintenance of records, and engaging with General Counsel for review, as needed.

Policy Development, Process Improvement, and Change Management

• Evaluates and revises HR department procedures to streamline and/or to automate processes, improve customer service, reduce paper flow, and improve HR data management.
• Plans, develops, organizes, executes, and evaluates the organization’s HR strategic vision, with a commitment to accountability, service excellence, and improved employee experience.
• Acts as an internal consultant for the development of policies and procedures, periodically assessing the congruency of current processes with current HR management best practices and within the current scope of NSHE policies.
• Provides guidance and input on department restructuring, workforce planning, and succession planning.
• Participates in strategic executive planning and decision making for the HR function of the institution.
• Oversees a robust employee relations process, including matters involving a collective bargaining unit, and verify that employee relations matters are handled confidentially, impartially, and in accordance with all relevant laws, rules, regulations, policies, and practices. Ensure relevant training is developed for employees and/or supervisors.
• Administers, oversees, and manages all aspects of NSU's EEO/AA and Title IX functions, ensuring campus-wide compliance with applicable laws, regulations, and policies related to EEO/AA, ADAAA, and Title IX.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in human resources, psychology, business, or a related field
• At least seven (7) years of progressively responsible experience in human resources administration, including at least five (5) years as a supervisor of professional HR staff.
• Thorough knowledge of the Human Resources field including federal, state, and local laws and regulations
• Eligibility to work in the United States without sponsorship (Nevada State does not sponsor employment-related visas).
• Experience successfully leading human resource organizations.
• A track record of high-level, productive employee relations skills.
• Previous experience in and comprehensive knowledge of the concepts, principles, and practices of human resources administration, including, but not limited to, compensation and benefits, classification, performance management, employee relations, investigations, and all applicable human resources-related federal laws.
• Experience working with collective bargaining units, including contract administration, grievance processes, and labor relations matters.
• Knowledge of and demonstrated ability to implement best practices in human resources.
• Ability to work collaboratively and effectively with all campus stakeholders.
• Demonstrated skills in respectful, sensitive communication with people at various levels of an organization who are diverse in their cultures, language groups, ethnicities, and abilities.
• Ability to apply an innovative and strategic mindset, with a commitment to advancing the university’s mission, vision, and values.
• Ability to communicate effectively, both written and public speaking.
• Ability to establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with faculty, staff, students and others.
• Demonstrated ability to responsibly adopt AI and other innovative technologies to drive efficiency and continuous improvement across HR functions.

Please note: Applicants must meet the posted minimum qualifications at the time of application in order to be considered for the position.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in human resources, psychology, business, or a related field and/or human resources credential (SHRM or HRCI) plus ten (10) years of increasingly responsible experience in HR administration including at least seven (7) years as a supervisor of professional HR staff.
• Experience in higher education, public sector or state or local government strongly preferred.
• Knowledge, interpretation, and application of State of Nevada and NSHE regulations, Title VII, Title IX, ADA, FMLA, FLSA, HIPPA, EEOC, and the Civil Rights Act.

Salary & Benefits

Budgeted salary range for this position is $150,000-$175,000 based on the candidate’s qualifications and experience. Nevada State University offers excellent benefits, including 19.25% retirement match, 24 annual leave days, beginning balance of 30 sick leave days, 12 paid holidays, educational benefits, and three health insurance plans that can be supplemented with flexible spending accounts or health savings accounts.

This Posting is Open Until Filled

The posting will remain open until filled, with the first review of applications to begin on Tuesday, August 11, 2026. Qualified individuals are encouraged to apply by August 10 for full consideration.

Special Instructions for Internal NSHE Applicants

Nevada State University employees or employees within the Nevada System of Higher Education (NSHE, UNLV, UNR, NSU, CSN, TMCC, WNC, GBC, or DRI) MUST use the “Browse Jobs” process within Workday to find and apply for jobs at Nevada State and other NSHE Institutions. Once you log into Workday, type "Browse Jobs" in the search box which will navigate to the internal job posting site.

If you complete an application outside of the internal application process, your application will be returned and you will have to reapply as an internal applicant which may delay your application.

Please note, once you submit your application the only attachment(s) viewable to you will be the attachment(s) to the resume/CV section of the application. Any additional required attachment(s) to the cover letter, references, additional documents sections of the application, will not be viewable to you after you submit your application. All uploaded attachment(s) will be on the application for the committee to review. To request updates to attachments, prior to the committee review of applications, please contact the candidate helpdesk at [email protected].

Please upload the following documents:

• Detailed resume listing relevant qualifications and experience;
• Cover Letter indicating why you are a good fit for the position and Nevada State University;
• Names and contact information of three references (you will be notified before references are contacted).

Applications that do not include the required uploaded documents may not be considered.

Applicants should fully describe their qualifications and experience with specific reference to each of the minimum and preferred qualifications in their cover letter. The search committee will use this information during the initial review of application materials.

References will be contacted at the appropriate phase of the recruitment process.

This position may require a criminal background check to be conducted on the candidate(s) selected for hire.

As part of the hiring process, applicants for positions in the Nevada System of Higher Education may be required to demonstrate the ability to perform job-related tasks.

Nevada State University does not currently sponsor Visas, all applicants must be eligible to work in the United States without sponsorship.

Nevada State University