Description
Lafayette College, a private, nonprofit, higher education institution, seeks an innovative and seasoned professional to serve as its next Associate Vice President for Human Resources. This is a full-time administrative position reporting to the Executive Vice President for Finance and Administration. This is an extraordinary opportunity for a dedicated human resources professional to join a leading institution of higher education and drive changes in the College’s human resources functions as the College approaches its bicentennial in 2026.
Located in Easton, Pennsylvania, the campus is approximately 70 miles west of New York City, 60 miles north of Philadelphia, and 35 miles south of the Poconos. The Office of Human Resources serves the Lafayette College community, which consists of approximately 800 employees. The AVP provides leadership and develops, oversees, and implements all functions relative to HR. The AVP works collaboratively with all members of the President’s Senior Leadership Team and the Lafayette community to support a positive work environment, implement College policies and procedures, and support employee success.
The AVP will provide leadership in strategic planning and implementation of all aspects of the College’s human resources functions and will be responsible for developing and executing human resource strategy in support of the overall strategic plan of the College. The successful candidate will have demonstrated ability to create a collaborative environment that reflects operational effectiveness, superior customer service, and cultural alignment with institutional priorities. In collaboration with other team members, the AVP will plan, organize and manage the day-to-day operations of the human resources department and performing a variety of high-level professional human resources functions, including, but not limited to: classification, compensation, compliance, benefits, recruitment and retention, reasonable accommodations, leaves of absence, training, organizational development, employee relations, investigations, talent management, labor relations, and union negotiations. The AVP will provide coaching, advice, and consultation with staff and faculty supervisors on sensitive matters, address performance or behavioral-related issues, and assist in problem resolution, including special needs related to work schedules, long and short-term illness, performance improvement plans, and terminations. The AVP is also responsible for institutional initiatives related to increasing and maintaining diversity and inclusion with the Lafayette community and fostering equal opportunity for all employees.
The AVP will work in close cooperation with the Office of the Provost, Division of Student Life, Division of Inclusion, and Office of the General Counsel, among other departments.
Requirements
The position requires an individual to have excellent judgment, confidentiality and the ability to handle multiple priorities at the same time. A bachelor’s degree in Human Resources or a related field is required with a minimum of 10 years of progressively responsible human resources leadership and administrative experience, preferably in higher education. Master’s degree in Human Resources or a related field, or SHRM, HRCI, or similar certification strongly preferred.
