Position Announcement

Vice Chancellor of Human Resources Search

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Introduction

The Chancellor and Board of Trustees of theFoothill-De Anza Community College District seek an experienced, dynamic, and assertive leader for the position of Vice Chancellor of Human Resources and Equal Opportunity. This is an exciting opportunity for an individual who seeks to play a senior leadership role within a premier community college district and who is committed to the District’s mission:

The mission of the Foothill-De Anza Community College District is student success and educational excellence. The district and its colleges provide access to affordable, quality educational programs and services that develop a broadly educated and socially responsible community that supports an equitable and just future for California and the global community. Every member of our district contributes to a dynamic instructional and learning environment that fosters student engagement, equal opportunity, and innovation in meeting the various educational and career goals of our diverse students. Foothill-De Anza is driven by an equity agenda and core values of integrity, inclusion, care for our students' well-being, and sustainability.

The Vice Chancellor of Human Resources and Equal Opportunity serves as the Chief Human Resources Officer, reporting to the Chancellor and serving on the Executive Leadership Team. This position provides sound leadership for all district-wide Human Resources programs in service of our colleges, their students, our employees, and the community. This role will serve as a chief advisor to the Chancellor on strategic matters related to human resources and employee relations, including personnel matters involving litigation, and in participating in strategic and long-range planning for the district. An exceptional candidate will be a strategic-minded individual who is dedicated to creating an optimal employee experience and culture of service and who will drive the change needed to create a workplace that attracts and retains the best talent.

Our Chancellor, Lee Lambert, is nationally recognized for community college innovation and entrepreneurship. The District and our colleges seek to continue leading in academic, workforce, and technology innovation as one of the largest and most sustainability-focused community college districts in California and the nation. Located in the heart of Silicon Valley, our community provides an unparalleled quality of life in an ideal climate, with diverse and physically beautiful campuses that have earned a global reputation for excellence. Our proximity to the global center for technology innovation also provides a wealth of opportunities for the District to pursue innovative partnerships with industry and community leaders.

The Chancellor’s vision for the District, recently shared through a series of Town Hall sessions and through professional development with the Executive Leadership Team includes:

To remain equity-minded and learner-focused to effectively equip students with the skills necessary to pursue their goals
To be an innovative leader that is responsive to the needs of the community
To become a nationally recognized Employer of Choice
To work collaboratively as De Anza College, Foothill College, and District Central Services toward unified goals (“We are All, We are One”)

As a district, we are actively seeking a dynamic individual who will lead the Human Resources Division with a commitment to nurturing a culture of service that enhances the employee experience. This leader will play a crucial role in establishing the institution as a prominent place for talent recruitment and retention, ensuring it is recognized for its exceptional workforce.

The ideal candidate will be a change management expert with a leadership style that is both assertive and cooperative, dedicated to advancing a model of human resources that promotes equity and individual empowerment. They will be a driven professional, embodying the principles of diversity, equity, and inclusion, and skilled at building constructive relationships with collective bargaining leaders.

We are looking for a visionary and strategic-minded individual who is passionate about creating a workplace that not only attracts but also retains the best talent by offering a superior employee experience and a dedication to service excellence. Moreover, the role provides a unique opportunity to shape the future of the division's operations, particularly through input into the modernization of HR systems and workflows, and investment into new HR talent, making a lasting impact on the institution's trajectory. The new Vice Chancellor of Human Resources & Equal Opportunity will join the Chancellor’s Executive Leadership Team and help build a progressive and inclusive future where their input will be instrumental in the evolution of our HR landscape.

The Vice Chancellor of Human Resources and Equal Opportunity directly supervises the Associate Vice Chancellor of Human Resources, Director of Equity, Employment, and Professional Development, Director of Benefits, and either supervises or has oversight over all confidential and classified staff within the division. This position is responsible for policy development, contract negotiations, interpretation, implementation, and application decisions; representing the District in grievances and arbitration; responding to employee-related litigation, evaluating discrimination and harassment complaints; and overseeing department issues, such as budget, operations, and procedures.

As a member of the Executive Leadership Team reporting to the Chancellor, the Vice Chancellor of Human Resources and Equal Opportunity works collaboratively and productively with other members of the ELT, including: De Anza College President, Foothill College President, Vice Chancellor of Business Services, Vice Chancellor of Technology, Senior Advisor to the Chancellor, Executive Director of the Foundation, Executive Director of International Student Programs, District Coordinator of Public Affairs and Communications, and the Executive Assistant to the Chancellor.

The primary work location for the Vice Chancellor of Human Resources and Equal Opportunity is at the district offices, located adjacent to the Foothill College campus in Los Altos Hills, California.

Role of the Vice Chancellor, Human Resources
and Equal Opportunity

Under the leadership of the Chancellor and in accordance with the student success, equity, and empowerment goals of the District, the Vice Chancellor plans, organizes, directs, administers, reviews, and evaluates districtwide Human Resources programs, including: collective bargaining, grievance administration, academic and classified employment, classification, compensation, leadership and staff development, diversity/Equal Opportunity programs, benefits, retirement, and policy development; advises and counsels senior and executive administration and the Board, on policy, legal requirements, and the impact of legislation; and develops and presents policies in response to legislation and District needs.

This position is responsible for policy development, contract negotiations, interpretation, implementation, and application decisions; representing the District in grievances and arbitration; responding to employee-related litigation, evaluating discrimination and harassment complaints; and overseeing department issues, such as budget, operations, and procedures.

Key Duties and Responsibilities:

The duties and responsibilities listed below are representative of the position. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list.

Develop and implement effective, inclusive, and equitable Human Resources policies, procedures, services, and systems.
Coordinate Human Resources activities to support the college community in meeting the District’s mission.
Provide leadership to anticipate future needs of the District and prepare to meet them by understanding demographic trends within the workforce, predicting skill shortages, and planning for succession in key positions.
Advise the Chancellor and Board on policy and legal requirements and compliance.
Serve as chief advisor to the Chancellor on strategic matters related to human resources and employee relations, including personnel matters involving litigation, and in participating in strategic and long-range planning for the district.
Consult and work with legal counsel to ensure compliance with all relevant laws, regulations, and contractual agreements, so the District is proactive in mitigating risks and building a reputation as a responsible employer.
Serve as chief negotiator for the District as well as meet and confer with Administrative Management Association and Confidential employees.
Oversee negotiations with unions to ensure coordinated, comprehensive, positive, and collaborative negotiations consistent with District goals of mutual interest and respect.
Engage with all employee groups, such as Classified and Faculty Senates, to meet needs, develop programs, and respond to problems;
Prepare analysis (including operational and fiscal impact in collaboration with the District CBO) and present recommendations to the Board.

The full job description is posted on the Employment page.

Opportunities and Challenges for the Position

Leadership in Human Resources: Spearhead the Human Resources Division with a visionary approach, promoting a culture of service that enhances the employee experience.
Talent Recruitment and Retention: Establish the institution as an employer of choice, ensuring it is recognized for its exceptional workforce.
Modernization and Innovation: Influence the modernization of HR systems and workflows, and invest in new HR talent to make a lasting impact on the institution's trajectory.
Collaborative Relationships: Build and maintain constructive relationships with collective bargaining leaders, embodying the principles of diversity, equity, and inclusion.

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