Vice President, Human Resources

Vice President, Human Resources

Salary

$97,452.94 - $129,125.03 Annually

Location

Winter Haven

Job Type

Full-Time

Job Number

202600119

Org

Human Resources

Opening Date

06/08/2026

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions

Please label all uploaded documents with your full name (for example: Jane_Doe_Resume). This helps ensure your materials are properly matched to your application.

If you are a currently active Polk State College employee, please create an account using your polk.edu staff email address. Our HR system will not recognize you as an active employee.

Description

The Vice President, Human Resources is a collegewide executive position responsible for managing and providing oversight for the human resources function, strategy, and operations. This position is responsible for supervision, management, organization, planning, design, and development of all human resources functions and services delivered on all campuses and satellite centers, as well as all Human Resources personnel. Key responsibilities will include compliance with applicable employment laws; compensation and benefits program administration; recruitment and employment; employee relations; human resource-related rules, policies, and procedures; and strategic human resource planning.

This position serves not only as the senior human resources officer for Polk State, but also as a trusted advisor, strategic business partner, and advocate for all employees. In this role and working hand-in-hand with the Executive Team, the VPHR will recommend and help make important institutional decisions that impact all employees and the Polk State community. This is an extraordinary opportunity for a visionary leader, with extensive experience in human resources, to serve in a complex, diverse, multi-faceted institution of higher education. This transformative, forward-thinking, and innovative individual will help develop and achieve goals and objectives that complement the vision of the President. The VPHR will be a strategic thinker, an excellent communicator, and an exceptional listener, who will create and effect change and serve as the face of the Office of Human Resources. They will be in a key position to oversee and influence the people, policies, practices, and procedures of Polk State, and further enhance the College community.

Essential Functions/Duties

• Advise and assist the President and Executive Team in addressing College issues, policies, and strategic plans, related to complex employee and employment issues and concerns, emerging recruitment, employment, retention, training, and development trends in higher education.
• Establish and implement short- and long-range goals and objectives, strategic plans, policies, and standard operating procedures in human resources, which are aligned and integrated to promote the performance excellence of all employees.
• Collaborate across divisions and with other vice presidents to support the College's mission and vision, by leveraging available resources.
• Foster greater employee engagement and retention through innovative and responsive performance management and professional development and training programs for the diverse employee community.
• Design, implement, and maintain an organizational structure and staffing to effectively accomplish the Office's and College's goals and objectives.
• Provides guidance and leadership to the Human Resources management team.
• Oversee the recruitment, training, supervision, professional development, and evaluation of the College's professional staff, in conjunction with established policies, practices and procedures for the faculty.
• Work collaboratively to design, implement, and maintain an exemplary process to recruit and retain expert faculty and staff, provide professional development opportunities, and develop performance standards to facilitate continuous improvement and establish compensation.
• Manage the Office's resources and budgets, ensuring the appropriate use of institutional, government funding (local, state, and federal) and funding from other, external sources.
• Ensure that all human resource policies, practices, and procedures are in compliance with applicable federal, state, and local laws, rules and regulations, including but not limited to the Clery Act, Title IX, FMLA, and ADA/504.
• Maintain a visible presence at all of Polk State's campuses and centers, and with external constituencies and stakeholders, and actively engage with administrative administration, staff, and faculty, as required.
• Serve as member of college committees and chairs committees which directly relate to the human resources function and participate in designated College events as a member of the Executive Team.
• Perform other duties and projects as assigned.

Typical Qualifications

Required Skills:

• Adherence to the highest ethical standards, values, and principles, including honesty, integrity, trustworthiness, and discretion.
• A demonstrated understanding of and commitment to the mission and philosophy of higher education in the 21st Century, which emphasizes both academic study and career preparation for the world of work.
• Ability to foster a collaborative approach to human resource team management through strong supervisory skills and leadership.
• Excellent organizational and analytical skills with demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects and priorities.
• The ability to establish, encourage, and foster an environment of respect, recognition, and engagement for the wide-ranging backgrounds and perspectives of a complex community.
• A demonstrated commitment to excellence in performance management, training, and professional development for all employees, to include mentoring and developing staff for ongoing professional growth and development.
• Evidence of using appropriate software, learning management systems, and technology to analyze employee data, make decisions, implement training, and development programs and assess the effectiveness of human resource management systems.
• A history of being collaborative, visible, and relatable to faculty, staff, and employees, institutional leadership, alumni, and other stakeholders, and possess proven skill in fostering collaborative, consultative, and meaningful partnerships between human resources and academic affairs, as well as other institutional constituents and stakeholders that advance employee success.
• Strong interpersonal skills, including the ability to communicate effectively, in both written and oral forms, and those required to be an engaged listener.
• A demonstrable ability to engage employees, in seeking their input on an ongoing basis and to be mindful of the unique needs of the diverse community of Polk State.
• Demonstrated financial acumen; effective human resource, financial, and organizational management experience; and the ability to respond to fiscal limitations and other challenges, collaboratively and creatively.
• A record of compliance with/adherence to all human resource policies, practices, and procedures of applicable federal, state, and local laws, rules and regulations, including Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, the Clery Act, Title IX, FMLA, and ADA/504.

Working Conditions/Additional Information

• This position is a full-time on-campus position located at our Winter Haven and Lakeland campuses; the position will travel between College and community locations as necessary. (Remote/hybrid options are not available.)
• Weekend and evening work may be required.
• Position may be required to work during College closures (such as winter/spring break and inclement weather closures).
• Reliable transportation is required for travel to campuses, centers, and community locations. Possession of a valid Florida's Driver's License is required (or must be eligible to obtain a Florida's license within 30 days).
• Standard office work environment with potential for long periods of sitting and extended time at a computer.
• This position will require the ability to lift at least 10 lbs.

Salary Information:

• This position is a level P21.

We offer a comprehensive benefits package that includes medical, dental, and vision coverage; short-term disability; paid holidays and sick leave; vacation (excluding faculty positions); retirement benefits for eligible employees; and college fee waivers.

Required Education:

• Master's degree in human resources, employment law, organizational development, management and supervision, or a related field from an accredited institution is required.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Juris Doctor or Doctorate degree in human resources, employment law, educational leadership, or a related field from an accredited institution preferred.
• HR certification from SHRM (CP, SCP), HRCI (PHR, SPHR, GPHR), or other accredited HR organization.

Required Experience:

• A minimum of ten years of prior human resources management experience, with strategic, talent management, and/or organizational development experience.
• A record of progressive leadership responsibilities and substantive senior-level administrative experience.

Preferred Experience:

• It is preferred that the successful candidate has direct experience in a college or university and in a more complex, multi-dimensional, multi-site setting.
• Experience practicing employment law preferred.

Supplemental Information

Submissions that do not include all parts of the following required information will not be considered:

• a resume
• cover letter
• an electronic job application (all sections MUST be completed)

Important Information

• If you are a retiree of the Florida Retirement System (FRS), please check with the FRS on how your current benefits will be affected if you are re-employed with the State of Florida. Your current retirement benefits may be canceled, suspended, or deemed ineligible depending upon the date of your retirement.
• Polk State College participates in E-Verify. Candidates must provide documentation of eligibility to work in the United States. Polk State College does not provide visa sponsorship.
• To request Veteran's Preference, please be sure to upload all necessary documents (DD-214, etc.) to your application.
• Polk State College is a drug-free workplace.
• Polk State College is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodation to applicants and employees with disabilities. Reasonable accommodation is considered on a case-by-case basis.
• Employment visa sponsorship is unavailable for this position. Applicants requiring employment visa sponsorship now or in the future (e.g., F-1 STEM OPT, H-1B, TN, J1, etc.) will not be considered.
• Reference checks, successful completion of a background check, and third-party Education Verification for all stated degrees will be required prior to employment.
• Polk State College does NOT provide relocation assistance for this position.

Equal Opportunity Statement

Polk State College does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, or age in its programs, activities, or employment. For information about the College's equal access and equal opportunity policies and procedures, or to file a complaint, please contact:

Title IX Coordinator

3425 Winter Lake Road

Lakeland, FL 33803

863.669.2903

compliance@polk.edu

For additional information, visit polk.edu/compliance

We encourage applicants to provide feedback on their experience or request help at Careers@polk.edu.

We offer a comprehensive benefits package that includes medical, dental, and vision coverage; short-term disability; paid holidays and sick leave; vacation (excluding faculty positions); retirement benefits for eligible employees; and college fee waivers.

To learn more details, visit our benefits page.

01

Are you over the age of 18?

• Yes
• No

02

Are you currently authorized to work in the United States for any U.S. employer?

• Yes
• No

03

Will you now or in the future require any type of employer sponsorship or immigration-related support to legally work for Polk State College? (This includes but is not limited to the following: H-1B, H-1B1, J-1, TN, E-3, O-1, F-1 CPT, F-1 OPT, F-1 STEM OPT.)

• Yes
• No

04

Are you currently in a period of F-1 CPT or OPT or seeking employment under one of these programs?

• Yes
• No

05

Are you a United States Veteran or a qualifying family member seeking to use Veterans Preference? (Please upload your DD-214 documents to your profile/application.)

• Yes
• No

06

Are you a current employee at Polk State College?

• Yes
• No

07

Are you bilingual?

• Yes
• No

08

I am able to work 100% on campus and I do not require a remote or hybrid schedule.

• Yes
• No

09

Which statement below best describes the highest level of education you have completed?

• High School Diploma/GED
• Associates Degree
• Bachelors Degree
• Masters Degree
• Masters Degree + 18 graduate hours
• Doctorate Degree

10

Do you have a Masters Degree or higher in human resources, employment law, organizational development, management and supervision, or a related field from a regionally accredited college or university?

• Yes
• No

11

How many years of managing or supervising staff experience do you have?

• No Experience
• Less than 1 year of experience
• 1 year but less than 2 years of experience
• 2 years but less than 3 years of experience
• 3 years but less than 4 years of experience
• 4 years but less than 5 years of experience
• More than 5 years of experience

12

How many years of professional experience in human resources management experience, with strategic, talent management, and/or organizational development do you have?

• No experience
• Less than 1 year of experience
• 1 year but less than 2 years of experience
• 2 years but less than 3 years of experience
• 3 years but less than 5 years of experience
• 5 years but less than 7 years of experience
• 7 years but less than 9 years of experience
• 9 years but less than 10 years of experience
• 10 years but less than 12 years of experience
• More than 12 years of experience

13

Do you have an SHRM (CP, SCP), HRCI (PHR, SPHR, GPHR) certification?

• Yes
• No

14

The information provided in your application must support your selected answers in the supplemental questions. The information you provide will be verified and documentation may be required. Please be honest and accurate as possible. You may be asked to demonstrate your knowledge and skills in a work sample or during the interview. By completing this supplemental questionnaire, you are attesting that the information you have provided is accurate. Any misstatements, omissions, or falsification of information may eliminate you from consideration or result in dismissal.

• Yes, I understand and agree
• No, I do not agree

Required Question

Employer Polk State College

Address 999 Avenue H NE

Winter Haven, Florida, 33881

Phone 8632971055

Website www.polk.edu