Job Description Summary

As the senior Human Resources leader, the Director of Human Resources is responsible for the overall leadership, strategic planning, coordination, and execution of the Human Resources (HR) function. This leader is responsible for creating, directing, and executing the practices and programs needed to support SSU’s mission and promote a positive, inclusive culture, including management consulting; workforce planning; employee and leadership development; performance management; recruitment and retention; education, training, development, and mentoring; compensation, payroll, and benefits; employee engagement; and equal opportunity. This role reports to SSU’s Chief Operating Officer.

Shawnee State University (SSU), located in Portsmouth, Ohio, is an open access regional public institution known for its commitment to providing exceptional, student-focused education. Established in 1986, with historical roots dating to 1945, SSU serves as a vital educational and cultural center in the Appalachian region. The university primarily functions as a teaching institution with a strong emphasis on delivering personalized learning experiences that foster academic excellence, practical skill development tied to workforce needs, and lifelong learning.

SSU offers a comprehensive range of academics, with over 70 undergraduate programs and several graduate programs spanning key fields such as its nationally-ranked game design programs, business, health sciences, education, engineering technologies, advanced manufacturing, and the arts and sciences. The university’s dedication to creating an environment that nurtures student success is evident in its small class sizes and a low student-to-faculty ratio, allowing for personalized attention and meaningful student-faculty interactions.

Serving a student body of approximately 3,300, the majority of which are the first in their families to go to college, SSU includes both on-campus and online learners, catering to the needs of traditional, non-traditional, and distance education students. The university’s flexible learning options and targeted support services help ensure that students can pursue their academic goals regardless of their backgrounds or schedules. This commitment to inclusivity and accessibility contributes to the university’s role as a regional leader in educational advancement and community engagement. See the SSU Strategic Plan (Download PDF reader) (2021 – 2026).

The university’s picturesque 62-acre campus is situated along the scenic Ohio River, offering a serene backdrop conducive to both study and leisure. State-of-the-art facilities, including advanced laboratories, modern classrooms, residence halls, and recreational spaces, enrich the student experience and support a well-rounded education. SSU also integrates technology throughout its curriculum to equip students with the skills necessary to thrive in a fast-changing global environment.

Shawnee State University’s partnerships with regional businesses and industries enhance its focus on practical, career-oriented education. The university emphasizes workforce development through collaborations that provide students with internships, experiential learning, and direct pathways to employment upon graduation.

EEO STATEMENT
Shawnee State University is committed to having an educational and working environment for students and employees that is without unlawful or prohibited discrimination and harassment.
Categories defined as protected classes include age, ancestry, color, disability, ethnicity, gender, gender identity or expression, genetic information, HIV/AIDS status, military status, national origin, pregnancy, race, religion, sexual orientation, veteran status, status as a parent immediately after the birth of a child, status as the parent of a young child, status of a foster parent, and any other classes defined by law. (Board of Trustees Policy 5.01 (Download PDF reader))

Many laws that prohibit discrimination also prohibit retaliation against individuals who assert their rights.

Principal Duties and Responsibilities

Responsibilities:
Strategic Leadership

• Lead comprehensive strategies for HR services, aligning them with university objectives.
• Drive initiatives for strategic planning, policy development, and organizational improvement.
• Manage compliance with employment laws and regulations while ensuring policy alignment across departments.

Talent Management

• Oversee talent acquisition, retention, and performance management programs.
• Develop and manage strategic compensation and benefits plans to attract and retain top talent.
• Implement professional development programs and succession planning to strengthen the workforce.

Operational Oversight

• Manage HR operations including employee relations, payroll, and systems administration (“Bear Trax” Oracle Cloud Enterprise Resource Planning system)
• Ensure efficiency in HR services and process enhancements.
• Lead data analysis for informed decision-making, leveraging HRIS to support strategic goals.

Minimum Job Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Demonstrated leadership in strategic HR planning and execution.
• Proficiency in employment law and regulatory compliance.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills for building relationships across all university levels.
• Expertise in talent management, compensation structures, and benefits administration.
• Advanced data analysis skills and experience with HRIS and related systems.
• Ability to foster a collaborative and inclusive work environment.
• Skilled in managing change and promoting continuous improvement.

Minimum Qualifications

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related field.
• Minimum of 5-7 years of progressive HR leadership experience.
• Proven experience with HRIS platforms and data management tools.
• Professional HR certification (e.g., PHR, SPHR, SHRM-CP, or SHRM-SCP) preferred.

CBIZEFL Associates (https://eflassociates.cbiz.com), an executive search firm, is assisting Shawnee State University with its search for this important leadership position. All calls and inquiries should be made through the search firm. Nominations and applications will be held in strict confidence and candidates will remain confidential until the final stage of the search, at which time the express permission of finalists will be obtained before their candidacy is made public.

APPLICATION PROCESS

• STEP 1: Complete a brief online application (2-3 minutes):
  • Click here to apply or
  • Copy/paste the URL into browser: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/SSU-HR

• STEP 2: Send us your cover letter and resumé or curriculum vitae:
  • Send in PDF format
  • Send to ApplyHigherEd@eflassociates.com
  • Email subject line should read: SSU HR Application

KEY DATES

• Application deadline is January 24, 2025.
• Applications will be reviewed as they are received.
• Semi-Finalist video Interviews are scheduled for February 25-27, 2025, or earlier as needed.
• On-Campus Interviews are scheduled for week of March 16, 2025, or earlier as needed.
• The desired start date is negotiable.

CONFIDENTIAL INQUIRIES

Steve Waldron, JD
VP & Managing Director, Higher Education Practice
816-945-5423, swaldron@eflassociates.com

NOMINATIONS & APPLICATION QUESTIONS

Edith Ketay
Project Manager, Higher Education Practice
816-841-4001, edith.ketay@eflassociates.com