The University of Virginia’s College at Wise (UVA Wise) seeks an accomplished and visionary Vice Chancellor of Human Resources to lead a strategic transformation within its HR functions. Reporting directly to Chancellor Donna Price Henry, this senior leader will manage a team of four HR professionals, overseeing talent acquisition, employee engagement, compliance, and workforce development in alignment with the college’s mission and strategic goals. The Vice Chancellor of Human Resources will have the opportunity to position the HR organization for growth, implementing modernized services that enhance scalability and efficiency.
About UVA Wise
A member of the prestigious Council of Public Liberal Arts Colleges, UVA Wise serves as a distinctive institution committed to personalized education, public service, and the advancement of the Appalachian region. Situated on a beautiful 396-acre campus in Southwest Virginia, UVA Wise supports a student body of 2,200 students with a focus on accessibility and academic excellence, especially for students from rural and first-generation backgrounds.
UVA Wise prides itself on small class sizes, strong faculty-student relationships, and innovative teaching that prepares students for meaningful careers. It also plays a pivotal role in regional economic development, contributing over $188 million annually to Virginia’s economy.
The region surrounding UVA Wise offers ample recreational opportunities, from hiking the Appalachian Trail to local cultural festivals, within a supportive and engaged community that values its heritage and economic growth.
Academics: UVA Wise upholds a strong liberal arts tradition while also offering professional programs designed to meet the needs of a changing world. With a student-to-faculty ratio of 13:1 and an average class size that fosters personal interaction, students receive personalized attention that supports both academic and professional growth. The College offers 34 majors, 41 minors, and 8 pre-professional tracks, along with specialized undergraduate programs in business, nursing, teacher education, software engineering, and more. Recently, the College launched its first graduate program, a Master of Education, which reflects UVA Wise’s commitment to expanding educational pathways for students.
Hands-on learning is prioritized, with opportunities for internships, undergraduate research, and experiential learning through the Peake Honors Program. By balancing a rigorous liberal arts foundation with practical skills, UVA Wise prepares students to succeed in graduate school, professional careers, and community leadership.
Athletics: Home to the Highland Cavaliers, UVA Wise competes in NCAA Division II within the South Atlantic Conference (SAC). The college offers 17 varsity sports, including men’s baseball, basketball, cross country, football, golf, tennis, and track & field, as well as women’s basketball, cross country, golf, lacrosse, softball, tennis, track & field, and volleyball. The athletic program emphasizes both competitive success and academic achievement, promoting teamwork, discipline, and leadership among student-athletes. In addition to varsity sports, students engage in a range of intramural sports and outdoor activities, enjoying Southwest Virginia’s scenic landscapes for hiking, biking, and other recreational pursuits.
The Role of the Vice Chancellor of Human Resources
The Vice Chancellor of Human Resources will lead, develop, and modernize HR strategies to foster an inclusive, responsive, and mission-driven environment. This leader will bring forward-thinking HR expertise and oversee areas such as talent acquisition, employee relations, compensation, and professional development.
Key Responsibilities:
Strategic Leadership: Provide a vision for HR that supports institutional goals, emphasizing talent attraction, engagement, and retention.
Team Development: Guide a team of HR professionals, fostering a culture of collaboration, high performance, and growth.
Workforce Engagement: Implement employee engagement initiatives and ensure equity and inclusivity across campus.
Compliance and Policy: Ensure adherence to employment laws, university policies, and regulatory requirements.
Advisory Role: Serve as a key advisor on HR-related matters to senior leadership and assist in workforce planning and development.
Desired Attributes
Informed by stakeholder feedback, ideal candidates for this role will possess:
Leadership & Influence: Ability to influence, coach, and collaborate with executives; recognized as a strong communicator and team builder.
HR Expertise: Comprehensive understanding of HR functions, laws, and a commitment to shifting from transactional to strategic HR approaches.
Data-Driven Decision Making: A demonstrated ability to leverage data and analytics to inform strategic HR decisions, optimize processes, and support institutional goals.”
Strategic Visioning: Skill in long-term planning and guiding the HR function to support institutional growth and adaptability.
Operational Excellence: Demonstrated success in building and optimizing HR systems, prioritizing tasks, and executing with accountability.
Cultural Sensitivity: Commitment to fostering an inclusive, values-driven culture at UVA Wise.
Qualifications Include:
Education: Bachelor’s degree in human resources, business administration, or a related field (Master’s preferred).
Experience: Minimum of 10 years in HR, including experience in higher education or a similarly complex organization.
Preferred Credentials: Master’s degree and/or HR certification (e.g., SHRM-SCP, SPHR), knowledge of Virginia state employment regulations.
Nominations & Applications
Confidential discussions about the position are encouraged and may be arranged by contacting Donna Henry, PhD, Chancellor, UVA Wise at dhenry@uvawise.edu. Nominations, and inquiries, may be sent to Adan Hernandez, Senior Talent Sourcer, wcc7sj@virginia.edu.
To Apply:
Please visit the UVA job board (https://jobs.virginia.edu) and search \"Vice Chancellor of Human Resources.
Candidates should prepare:
A letter of interest addressing elements of the leadership opportunity and the desired qualities, attributes, experience outlined in this job posting.
A resume/CV
A list of five professional references with contact information and a brief explanation of the working relationship with each. References will be contacted at a later stage in the search process and only with candidate permission.
The position is open until filled.
The selected applicant will be required to complete a background check prior to their first day of employment per University policy.
The University of Virginia, including the UVA Health System which represents the UVA Medical Center, Schools of Medicine and Nursing, UVA Physician’s Group and the Claude Moore Health Sciences Library, are fundamentally committed to the diversity of our faculty and staff. We believe diversity is excellence expressing itself through every person's perspectives and lived experiences. We are equal opportunity and affirmative action employers. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, color, disability, gender identity or expression, marital status, national or ethnic origin, political affiliation, race, religion, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, veteran or military status, and family medical or genetic information.