• Vice Chancellor for Human Resources
  • The University of Virginia’s College at Wise

Position Information

  • Vice Chancellor for Human Resources

    The University of Virginia’s College at Wise, in partnership with the national search firm Scott Healy & Associates, invites applications and nominations for the position of Vice Chancellor for Human Resources. UVA Wise seeks an experienced leader an accomplished and visionary Vice Chancellor for Human Resources to lead a strategic transformation within its HR functions. Reporting directly to the Chancellor, 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 for Human Resources will have the opportunity to position the HR organization for growth, implementing modernized services that enhance scalability and efficiency.

    The Vice Chancellor for 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.

    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.

    Qualifications:
    • Education: Bachelor's degree in human resources, business administration, or a related field.
    • 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.

    Desired Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
    • 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.

    About The University of Virginia’s College at Wise:
    A division of the University of Virginia and a member of the Council for Public Liberal Arts Colleges, The University of Virginia's College at Wise (located in Wise, VA) is an inspiring place to teach, learn, work, and call home. Through personalized attention and commitment to individual growth, UVA Wise prepares students to be engaged citizens. Drawing upon its foundation as a public liberal arts institution in the Appalachian region of Southwest Virginia, the College strives to build a diverse community of learners with the drive to serve and lead in their communities, the nation, and the world. The College offers access and affordability along with challenging academic work in the liberal arts tradition. The result is well-rounded graduates who earn fulfilling positions at leading organizations and pursue graduate study at prestigious institutions. And better yet, UVA Wise is consistently ranked by U.S. News and World Report as one of the top public liberal arts colleges in the nation whose students graduate with a low average student loan debt.

    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.

    About Wise, Virginia:
    Wise, Virginia, a small town with a rich history. The historic downtown is a short stroll from campus and features many locally owned shops and restaurants. Local farmer’s markets, summer movies in a downtown glade, and local festivals round out the variety of offerings in Wise. Just beyond Wise, you’ll find plenty to see and do, whether you love hiking, canoeing and camping or shopping local boutiques and enjoying delicious food and drink with friends. Home to some of the most scenic stretches of the Appalachian Trail, vital natural resources, local music and culture, and flourishing new industries, Southwest Virginia is a welcoming and growing region.

    Wise is located approximately an hour from the Tri-Cities region of northeastern Tennessee, which includes Bristol, Va./Tenn., home to both the Bristol Motor Speedway and the Birthplace of Country Music, the organization that hosts the internationally renowned Rhythm and Roots festival each year. The Tri-Cities region boasts an international airport, the Barter Theatre, South Holston Lake, and more amenities including a wide array of shopping, dining, arts and cultural attractions, historic sites, outdoor adventures, and more!

    Application and Nomination Process:
    All correspondence relating to the position of Vice Chancellor for Human Resources at UVA Wise should be directed in confidence to the University’s executive search consultant:

    Jamie Marcus, Vice President
    Scott Healy & Associates
    jamiemarcus@scotthealy.com

    A complete application should include the following:
    1. Cover Letter outlining your interest and qualifications for the position;
    2. Updated CV;
    3. Three (3) professional references with title, institutional affiliation, email address and direct phone numbers. (No references will be contacted without written permission from the candidate.)

    Applications received by July 18, 2025, will receive priority consideration. The search will remain open until the position is filled.

    The University of Virginia's College at Wise does not discriminate on the basis of age, color, disability, gender identity or expression, marital status, military status (which includes active duty service members, reserve service members, and dependents), national or ethnic origin, political affiliation, pregnancy (including childbirth and related conditions), race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, veteran status, and family medical or genetic information, in its programs and activities as required by Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, as amended, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Titles VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, The Age Discrimination Act of 1975, the Governor’s Executive Order Number One (2018), and other applicable statutes and College policies. UVA Wise prohibits sexual and gender-based harassment, including sexual assault, and other forms of interpersonal violence.

Organization Information

  • https://www.uvawise.edu
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