Vice President for Human Resources
and Organizational DevelopmentWe're Hiring

Posting date: March 11, 2024

You belong at Bergen Community College!

Recognized as an institution that excels in its ability to meet the needs of its students in an ever-changing educational landscape, Bergen prides itself on its commitment to student success. Built on a mission of providing an education in the liberal arts, sciences, health professions, technical fields, and a variety of non-credit programs that foster critical thinking, the College facilitates upward mobility and instills a sense of purpose. If you share this passion and seek a rewarding career that can make a difference in the lives of others, we encourage you to join our innovative community that will redefine your future.

Located in northeastern New Jersey just minutes from New York City, Bergen provides a comprehensive collegiate experience for learners of all ages at three locations – Paramus (main
campus), Lyndhurst (Bergen Community College at the Meadowlands) and Hackensack (the Philip Ciarco Jr. Learning Center). Each location boasts award-winning resources such as the STEM
Student Research Center, the Health Professions Integrated Teaching Center and the Meadowlands Innovation Center. The College will break ground on its newest learning hub, a culinary arts center, this year.

Students take advantage of these resources as part of a vibrant on-campus experience brimming with energy and excitement. The College’s chapter of Phi Theta Kappa, the honor society of two-year colleges, has previously earned “best in the world” honors, with its 600+ members contributing to service learning, campus events and activities that enrich the student experience. Clubs and organizations such as the Student Government Association and LatinxCEO provide students with real-world learning opportunities that further contribute to Bergen’s active and engaged campus
community.

This environment helps foster Bergen’s standing as a state-leader: more students graduate with associate degrees from Bergen than from any other community college in New Jersey. Graduates
leverage their Bergen degree to earn admission into the nation’s top four-year institutions – including all eight Ivy League colleges. Students in career programs enter the workforce with industry defined in-demand skill sets in fields such as healthcare, information technology and business.

Strengthened by its cultural diversity, Bergen attracts and educates students from underserved populations – many of whom are first-generation college students – in an environment rooted in an
ethic of care. Collaboration, creativity and empowerment remain critical to maximizing our students’ success and unlocking the transformative opportunities available to them.

Led by President Eric M. Friedman, Bergen has developed strong relationships with government, public and private sector leaders to enhance workforce development initiatives and reinforce the
institution’s commitment to its community. Among them, the College frequently works with the federal government, New Jersey Council of County Colleges, the Office of the Secretary of Higher
Education, and industry partners to secure grants and to create pathways to employment.

Bergen maintains a deep commitment to fostering a welcoming and supportive environment for students, faculty and staff. As a federally-designated Hispanic Serving Institution and the state’s
highest ranked community college in the Campus Pride Index, Bergen has been named one of the “most promising places to work” by Diverse: Issues in Higher Education magazine. Faculty and staff
enjoy a comprehensive benefits and compensation package highlighted by generous health, wellness and tuition reimbursement programs.

We encourage you to explore our campus, our website and our social media to see why belongingness matters at Bergen. We look forward to you becoming part of our Bergen community!

Department: Human Resources and Organizational Development

Position Summary/Job Description:

The Vice President for Human Resources and Organizational Development reports directly to the President and provides strategic leadership and operational oversight for the College’s human resources and payroll departments, staff professional development and training, compliance reporting, recognition programs, performance management, benefits administration, employee on-boarding programs and services, and all aspects of the College’s organizational development. The Vice President ensures compliance with all federal, state, and local laws and regulations and ensures best-practice maintenance of employee records. The Vice President has broad responsibility for developing and reviewing policies and procedures that promote accomplishment of the College’s strategic plan and fosters the development of a diverse and innovative work- force. The Vice President serves as an active member of the President’s Executive Team. The Department of Human Resources is committed to attracting, motivating, developing, and retaining highly competent employees to support the College’s mission of “high quality, relevant and varied educational programs and for intellectual, cultural and personal growth for all members of its community.” The department is committed to designing and implementing policies, services, and programs in a professional and customer service-oriented manner.

Services cover all areas of human resources and payroll, including:

  1. Development, implementation and interpretation of policies and programs
  2. Recruitment, orientation, evaluation, and training of employees
  3. Enrollment of employees, implementation, and administration of benefit plans, including health, dental, vision, tuition reimbursement and pension
  4. Establishment and maintenance of accurate employee records and information systems
  5. Negotiation and administration of Collective Bargaining Agreements
  6. Compliance with local, state and federal laws in order to ensure fair and equal treatment of all employees
  7. Processing of payroll calculations, payroll tax statements, year-end taxes, and more

Reports to: President

Responsibilities

  1. Function as the subject matter expert and strategic advisor to the President, Board of Trustees, and the College’s Executive Team regarding personnel matters in line with the College’s operations, objectives, mission, and strategic vision.
  2. Administer the College’s collective bargaining agreements.
  3. Oversee and lead all functions of the human resources and payroll departments. Manage budgets and monitor expenditures for the department.
  4. Provide supervision, oversight, and professional development for human resources staff members. Lead with an ethic of care.
  5. Manage and coordinate the College’s performance management system.
  6. Oversee Title IX processes and procedures as the institution’s Title IX Coordinator.
  7. Receive and understand information pertaining to records, benefits, employee relations, employees, classifications, payroll, and employee information and communication.
  8. Develop and manage human resources metrics and monitoring trends, such as performance management, compensation and classification policies, succession planning, internal development and promotion, and benefits.
  9. Develop and maintain effective programs for workforce retention, leadership development, and a wide range of employee training.
  10. Actively engage, coach, and train college leaders in teamwork, effective leadership, and other development programs.
  11. Guide and assist members of the leadership team by providing expertise on performance reviews, performance improvement plans, human resources policies, practices, opportunities, and state and federal laws and regulations.
  12. Direct relevant workplace investigations, grievances and complaints, and disciplinary processes.
  13. Ensure process improvement initiatives are understood, communicated, and executed throughout the organization, and integrate institutional, statewide, and accreditation perspectives.
  14. Assume primary responsibility for select projects and initiatives, as directed by the President.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

  1. Master’s degree strongly preferred in human resources management, public administration, higher education administration, business administration, or a related field.
  2. Bachelor’s degree plus extensive experience (10+ years) in human resources and organizational strategy/development management with a minimum of 6 years of related experience in supervision of staff.
  3. Previous human resources management experience in a unionized environment, preferred.
  4. Previous human resources experience in an educational, public, or non-profit setting, preferred.
  5. Strong demonstrated understanding of the mission of the community college.
  6. Demonstrated commitment to best practices in diversity, equity, and inclusion.
  7. Well-developed analytical skills with an ability to synthesize complex information and apply it to strategic initiatives.
  8. Must be well-versed in human resources-related federal and state employment laws and practices
  9. Demonstrated commitment to continuous improvement.
  10. Experience and knowledge in the use of appropriate technology and the ability to leverage for effectiveness.
  11. Ability to prepare and monitor department budgets.
  12. Excellent oral, written, interpersonal, negotiation, analytical, presentation, and communication skills.
  13. Excellent employee relations skills, including knowledge of current mediation best practices.
  14. Ability to work cooperatively with multiple constituencies, both internally and externally.

Target Date for Application: April 28, 2024

Applications are to be submitted to [email protected] and must include a cover letter that addresses major responsibilities as listed in the position posting, resume and five (5) professional references.

Salary Range: TBD

As a New Jersey First Act Employer, new employees must establish a primary residence in New Jersey within one year unless an exemption applies.

Bergen Community College is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin or ancestry, gender, age, disabling condition, marital status, affectional or sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, veterans status or other non-job related criteria. Equal employment opportunity includes, but is not limited to, recruitment, hiring, retention, tenure, promotion, transfer, compensation, fringe benefits and other terms and conditions of employment in accordance with state laws and regulations.