A Director of Human Resources manages human resources functions for a company or organization, including the recruiting, hiring and training of employees. Works with executive management to develop and implement staffing and compensation plans, and works to attract and retain qualified employees. Oversees training and development initiatives. Manages compensation and benefits structure and provides information to employees. Monitors compliance with employment-related regulations. Implements company policies and deals with staffing or disciplinary issues as needed.
Executive Director of Human Resources - 125820 (Chief Human Resources Officer)
University of West Florida The Position:
The University of West Florida (UWF) seeks astrategic and collaborative Executive Director of Human Resources (Chief Human Resources Officer) to lead the university's Human Resourcesat a defining moment in its evolution. Surpassing 15,000 enrolled students for the first time in its history and achieving historicperformance metrics, UWF is one of the premier educational and economic drivers in Northwest Florida. UWF is dedicated to cultivating atalented, engaged, and driven workforce that strives for excellence across our teaching, research, and operational units. TheExecutive Director will focus on ensuring that UWF remains a destination of choice where faculty and staff choose to build their careers,fostering an environment where employees directly contribute to the university's continued success and regional impact. Reporting toSenior Vice President and Provost of Academic Affairs, the Executive Director serves as a key administrative leader and provides strategicdirection for the university's human resources operations. This role brings a modern, practical approach to supporting UWF's workforce, withan emphasis on leadership capability, talent development, operational efficiency, and effective service delivery. The Executive Directorwill lead efforts to align human resources strategies across the university, ensuring systems, services, and practices meet the needs of adynamic and growing institution.
Description and Primary Purpose:
The Executive Director provides strategicleadership and oversight for the university's human resources operations, aligning workforce planning, organizational design, and talentpriorities with UWF's mission and institutional goals. Serving as a trusted advisor to university leadership, this role guides decisionsrelated to leadership effectiveness, employee relations, and organizational health, while advancing a consistent and proactive approach torecruiting, developing, and retaining top talent. The Executive Director will lead efforts to move human resources beyond a transactionalfunction toward an integrated model that drives operational excellence and supports employee satisfaction. Key functional areas ofoversight include employee benefits, compensation, talent acquisition, employee and labor relations, continuous process improvement,payroll, compliance, employee experience, collective bargaining, and professional development.
MinimumQualifications:
Master's degree in an appropriate area of specialization and six years of directly related professionalexperience; or a bachelor's degree in an appropriate area of specialization and eight years of directly related professional experience.
Position Qualification:
Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, OrganizationalLeadership, or a related field. Minimum of 10 years of progressively responsible experience in human resources management, peoplestrategy, or organizational leadership. Minimum of 5 years of senior-level management experience leading HR teams, strategy, andoperations. Extensive knowledge of state, local, and federal laws regulating human resources activity andprograms. Knowledge of University policies, regulations, and procedures. In accordance with Florida statutory provisions,required education may be substituted with additional years of directly related professional experience as permitted by law.
Preferred Qualifications:
Advanced degree (Master's or terminal degree) in Human Resources, BusinessAdministration, Public Administration, or a related field. Experience leading a comprehensive human resources function within apublic university system or complex higher education environment. HR professional certification (e.g., SHRM-SCP,SPHR). Demonstrated experience advising university executive leadership, vice presidents, and governing boards. Strongfamiliarity with Florida higher education governance, public-sector employment laws, collective bargaining, and regulatoryenvironments.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
Strategic Vision:
Enterprise-level thinking with the proven ability totranslate organizational vision into effective operational execution.
Executive Presence:
Exceptional interpersonal and politicalacumen, earning immediate credibility with faculty, staff, executive leadership, and external partners.
Organizational Leadership:
Expertise in organizational design, change management, employee relations, and talent development.
Collaborative Partnership:
Ability to influence, coach, and partner effectively across diverse academic and administrative stakeholder groups. Communication ∬egrity: High degree of professional integrity, transparency, and outstanding written and oral communication skills.
Salary:
Commensurate with education and experience. Candidates must apply online through the University of WestFlorida website: https://careers.uwf.edu .Applicants are required to attach a resume and a cover letter serving as a statement of interest. An opportunity to upload these documentswill be provided during the application process. For assistance, please contact Human Resources at 850-474-2694 or email jobs@uwf.edu . The deadline to submit applications is September 18,2026. About the
University of West Florida:
The University of West Florida is a vibrant, public enterpriseinstitution headquartered in Pensacola, Florida, with additional locations across Northwest Florida. UWF is dedicated to driving studentsuccess, high-impact research, and regional economic development. Recognized for institutional performance and high-quality academicprograms, UWF offers a collaborative, inclusive work environment situated near some of the nation's top-ranked coastal communities. The University of West Florida is an Equal Opportunity/Access/Disabled/Veteran employer. Any individual requiring specialaccommodation to apply is requested to advise UWF by contacting UWF Human Resources at 850.474.2694. A criminal background check is requiredfor successful candidates. E-Verify is required for employment. All applications for employment at the University are subject to Floridapublic records.
