Vice President of Human Resources

New Jersey Institute of Technology

Newark, NJ

New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT), New Jersey’s public polytechnic university, seeks an experienced and effective leader to serve as its next Vice President of Human Resources (VPHR).

Reporting to the President, and as a member of the senior administrative team, the VPHR is responsible for the development and implementation of human resource policies and practices that advance the core educational, operational, and administrative objectives of the university. Working collaboratively with leaders across the campus, the VPHR will oversee an effective, innovative, and responsive human resources operation and will promote a high-performing, diverse, and productive culture that attracts, develops, and retains top talent. 

The VPHR is responsible for designing, developing, and delivering a human resource operation comprised of labor relations, benefits, compensation and classification, employment, training and development, staff diversity, and employee assistance for NJIT’s 1672 employees, including 680 part-time and full-time faculty members and 992 full-time and part-time staff members. The VPHR will maintain oversight regarding grievances, dispute resolution, and other personnel proceedings for all employees and will oversee, develop, and maintain the administration of HR policies. The VPHR is also responsible for providing all HR services under a shared service model to New Jersey Innovation Institute (NJII) which is a 501(c)(3) non-profit NJIT corporation. Working in close collaboration with the General Counsel’s office, this position also serves as the Chief Labor Relations Officer and will be the chief negotiator in negotiations with the university’s eight bargaining units. 

Within Human Resources, the incoming VPHR will evaluate opportunities to streamline processes through refinement of roles and procedures, the inventive use and implementation of human resource technology, and an articulation of the department’s contribution to the university’s overall mission. The VPHR leads a team of 16 individuals and will provide supervision and mentorship designed to develop the team to operate at the highest levels of performance, efficiency, and integrity. The VPHR will manage an operating budget of $3 million and will supervise the management of a benefits program of approximately $72.6 million.

As New Jersey’s public polytechnic university, New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT) prepares students to become leaders in the technology-dependent economy of the 21^st century. NJIT’s multidisciplinary curriculum and computing-intensive approach to education provide technological proficiency, business acumen, and leadership skills. NJIT is in the midst of a period of remarkable growth and progress. Approximately 150 new faculty have been hired in recent years. Investments totaling more than $400 million in infrastructure and facilities have transformed NJIT’s campus and given students access to state-of-the-art classrooms and cutting-edge technology. Ranked #1 among America’s Great Working-Class Colleges by the New York Times, NJIT prepares students to thrive in and lead the 21st century workplace.

The incoming VPHR will bring a proven track record of building and leading a best-in-class human resources organization with a superior understanding of human resource strategies in a diverse and multifaceted organization. The successful candidate will bring significant experience with collective bargaining units and a proven record of success in labor relations. A Master’s degree in Human Resources or related field from an accredited university or college is required, PhD is preferred. Ten years of successful, intensive experience in human resources, at least four years of which should be as a senior level HR professional, is required. Prior experience in higher education, and SPHR or SHRM-SCP certification, are preferred.

Amy Sugin and Malissa Brennan of Koya Leadership Partners have been exclusively retained for this search. To see the full position profile and to express your interest or nominate and individual for the role, please see here. All inquiries and discussions will be considered strictly confidential.

As an EEO employer, NJIT is committed to building a diverse and inclusive teaching, research, and working environment and strongly encourages applications from individuals with disabilities, women, minorities, veterans and gender identities.

---