• Vice President Human Resources
  • Quinnipiac University
  • Hamden, CT

Position Information

  • Quinnipiac University (QU; https://www.qu.edu/) seeks an accomplished, ambitious, and collaborative leader to serve as its Vice President of Human Resources (VPHR) to shape a strategic vision that elevates the University's capacity to attract, support, and retain an outstanding workforce. This is an exceptional opportunity for a seasoned human resources executive to modernize HR operations, strengthen organizational culture, and lead a forward-looking people strategy aligned with QU’s next era of growth.

    Originally founded in 1929 as a small business college, Quinnipiac University is a private, coeducational university offering more than 120 undergraduate majors and 50 graduate programs, complemented by extensive dual-degree options that allow students to tailor their academic paths. The University emphasizes experiential and applied learning, service learning, volunteer engagement opportunities, cocurricular connections, and multidisciplinary approaches. In Fall 2025, QU enrolled more than 9,700 students through its Schools of Business, Communications, Education, Computing & Engineering, Health Sciences, Law, Medicine, Nursing, and the College of Arts & Sciences. Its three campuses, located in Hamden and North Haven, Connecticut, offer scenic and seasonal landscapes; and a network of more than 70,000 alumni span the world.

    The Quinnipiac University Poll is nationally recognized as a leader in public opinion research, and the University is consistently recognized by U.S. News & World Report and Princeton Review. The Wall Street Journal ranked Quinnipiac #51 among the best colleges in the nation, and second in Connecticut, for its exceptional graduation rate, salary impact, learning facilities, career preparation, and learning opportunities. The University is in the midst of program expansion and renewal for both traditional and adult learners, the development of innovative strategic partnerships, and has just opened a South Quad with three new buildings.

    The Vice President of Human Resources will join Quinnipiac at a time of significant momentum, with the arrival of President Marie Hardin, Ph.D. in July 2025 (https://www.qu.edu/about-quinnipiac/leadership/president/), and an inclusive Strategic Visioning process (https://www.qu.edu/about-quinnipiac/strategic-visioning-mission-vision-values-strategy/) underway since the fall of 2025 to chart the path for the institution’s next era of growth and impact. Reporting to Mark Varholak, the Chief Financial Officer, and serving as a key member of the University Leadership Council, the VPHR is responsible for providing executive-level leadership and guidance in all areas of human resources, including payroll. The VPHR will work collaboratively across QU to continuously integrate high-quality services across all facets of the organization, facilitate change, and ensure that Quinnipiac's workforce is engaged, flexible, and resilient, enabling the University to continue differentiating itself in a competitive market. The VPHR serves as a trusted partner with organizational constituents, providing innovative and creative solutions and continuously building and maintaining relationships across the organization, emphasizing dynamic communication and collaboration.

    The incoming leader will have the opportunity to build upon the strengths of a dedicated human resources and payroll team of 16 professionals and pursue initiatives supporting an employee base of approximately 1,300 faculty and staff, including approximately 300 unionized employees, making a lasting impact on the University. The successful candidate will be an innovative, highly driven executive and will possess broad human resources knowledge; expertise in strategic, collaborative, and consultative services; a sophisticated approach to organizational leadership; and demonstrated experience in workforce planning, market-driven compensation practices, succession planning, and advancing organizational and cultural change. This leader will also bring experience leading human resources staff and programs in complex unionized environments and will demonstrate the core competencies and personal traits necessary for success, including emotional intelligence, sound judgment, strong problem-solving skills, diplomacy, personal confidence, and humility. A bachelor's degree and at least ten years of progressive human resources leadership experience are required. An advanced degree, human resources certification, and prior experience working in higher education are preferred.

    A comprehensive leadership profile can be found at https://wittkieffer.com/positions/a1wun000001ezg1mae.

    WittKieffer is supporting Quinnipiac University in this search. For greatest consideration, applicants should submit a resume and a letter of interest addressing the themes in the leadership profile WittKieffer's candidate portal at https://apptrkr.com/7045183 by May 6, 2026. You may also submit inquiries and nominations (handed confidentially) to the same portal.
    Nominations, inquiries, and application materials can be directed to:

    Sandra Chu and Sarah Palmer

    Quinnipiac-VPHR@Wittkieffer.com

    Quinnipiac University has a strong commitment to the principles and practices of diversity throughout the university community. Women, members of minority groups, and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to consider and apply for admission. Quinnipiac does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, gender identity or expression, age, sexual orientation, national and ethnic origin, or disability status in the administration of its educational and admissions policies, employment policies, scholarship and loan programs, athletic programs, or other university-administered programs.

Organization Information

  • https://www.qu.edu
  • https://apptrkr.com/7045183