University Jobs at EOU Chief Human Resources Officer and Employee Relations
Chief Human Resources Officer and Employee Relations
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Please see Special Instructions for more details.
Applicant must provide:
Letter of application (which should include why this position is attractive to the applicant, how it meets the applicant's professional goals, and what attracts the applicant to EOU);
Complete curriculum vitae (resume);
Submit names, emails, and phone numbers for at least three references in the reference section of the application.
Candidates are encouraged to review the Values and Principles of Eastern
Oregon University.
Only complete files of qualified applicants will be reviewed.
Eastern Oregon University – Oregon's Rural University! – is a respected
public, higher education institution of academic excellence. Outstanding
faculty and staff thrive and together fulfill their career ambitions to serve
students from all walks of life.
The Eastern Oregon University main campus is on a beautiful, quaint campus
nestled in a remarkably scenic, high elevation valley populated by wonderful,
community-minded citizens that have balanced work-life flexibility. Take a
Virtual Tour of Eastern Oregon University.
EOU offers a very attractive package of State of Oregon public employee
benefits including:
Paid holidays (10 days/year)
Paid sick time-off (12 days/year)
Paid vacation (22 days/year)
Individual and Family Healthcare Insurance (95%+ employer-paid medical,
dental, vision)
Oregon Paid Leave benefits (up to 12 paid weeks)
Federal FMLA and State of Oregon Family Leave (OFLA) benefits (up to 12
weeks paid/unpaid)
Employer-paid life insurance
Relocation assistance
Discounted tuition benefits for employees and eligible dependents
For more details, see EOU Prospective Employees
Eastern Oregon University is an EEO Employer and welcomes applications
from women, members of historically underrepresented minority groups, US
Veterans, and persons with disabilities. EOU is committed to providing equal
opportunity in its recruitment, admissions, educational programs, activities,
and employment without illegal discrimination on the basis of age, color,
disability, national origin, race, marital status, religion, sex, sexual
orientation, gender identity, gender expression or any status as protected by
state or federal law.
Posting Details
Position Information
Position Title Chief Human Resources Officer and Employee Relations
Full or Part Time Full Time
FTE 1.0
Position Type Regular
Posting Number 20110710C&A
Position Summary Information
Job Description Summary The Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO) and Employee Relations provides strategic and operational leadership for all human resources functions at Eastern Oregon University. Reporting directly to the Vice President for Finance and Administration, this position is responsible for advancing a workplace culture grounded in equity, respect, accountability, and engagement, while ensuring compliance with all applicable multi state employment and labor laws.
This role leads all aspects of employee and labor relations, including serving
as the university's lead negotiator in faculty collective bargaining, and
provides expert guidance to senior leadership on complex personnel matters,
organizational effectiveness, and workforce strategy.
The CHRO takes a proactive, people-centered approach to fostering a positive
and inclusive work environment, supporting employees, supervisors, and
executive leadership alike. At the same time, the CHRO ensures timely, fair,
and legally sound investigation and resolution of workplace concerns,
maintaining institutional integrity and trust.
The CHRO leads the Human Resources department in delivering comprehensive,
high-quality services across recruitment, benefits, compensation, performance
management, training and development, and regulatory compliance.
The CHRO is essential to advancing Eastern Oregon University's commitment to a
fair, inclusive, and high-performing workplace where employees are supported
to excel in teaching, advising, and service. As a key leader within Finance
and Administration, the CHRO aligns human capital strategies with
institutional priorities, strengthening employee relations, fostering a
positive organizational culture, and enhancing workforce effectiveness.
Through this work, the CHRO directly contributes to student success,
enrollment, and retention, while advancing the university's goals of equity
and access, ensuring that institutional practices support both employee well-
being and student achievement.
Responsibilities Employee and Labor Relations (Primary Emphasis)
Serve as the university's lead authority on employee and labor relations,
establishing strategy, policy direction, and institutional standards.
Act as chief negotiator in faculty collective bargaining, developing
negotiation strategy, representing the university, and ensuring effective
implementation of agreements.
Promote a proactive, solutions-oriented employee relations model that
emphasizes early intervention, coaching, and relationship-building.
Serve as a trusted advisor to executive leadership, mid-level managers,
and employees, supporting effective communication and organizational
health.
Lead and oversee workplace investigations and grievance processes,
ensuring outcomes are fair, consistent, trauma-informed, and legally
compliant.
Ensure consistent and equitable application of HR policies and collective
bargaining agreements across the institution.
Facilitate conflict resolution and mediation, strengthening trust and
minimizing workplace disruption.
Analyze workforce and workplace trends to implement strategies that
enhance engagement, retention, and organizational climate.
Ensure compliance with federal, Oregon, and multi-state employment laws
and labor regulations.
Human Resources Leadership & Administration
Lead the Human Resources department in delivering integrated, high-quality
HR services aligned with institutional goals.
Develop and implement strategic HR initiatives that support workforce
planning, employee engagement, and organizational effectiveness.
Provide expert guidance to senior leadership on organizational structure,
workforce strategy, and change management.
Oversee HR budget, staffing, and operational performance.
Foster a collaborative, service-oriented, and accountable HR team culture.
Recruitment, Selection, and Employment
Oversee recruitment and hiring processes to attract and retain a diverse
and highly qualified workforce.
Advise hiring managers on best practices in recruitment, selection, and
onboarding.
Develop and implement strategies to support workforce diversity and
inclusion, through hiring practices, onboarding, and employee lifecycle
programs.
Compensation and Classification
Establish and recommend salary ranges, offers, and compensation
adjustments.
Monitor compensation practices for equity, compression, and market
competitiveness.
Oversee classification and position management processes.
Benefits Administration
Direct administration of employee benefits programs including health,
retirement, and insurance plans.
Ensure compliance with PERS, PEBB, and state regulations, including those
outside of Oregon.
Provide guidance to employees on benefits and retirement options.
Equity, EEO, and Title IX Compliance (Employees)
Develop, implement, and monitor compliance with EEO, affirmative action,
and Title IX policies and programs.
Serve as Title IX Coordinator.
Lead investigations and ensure appropriate resolution of complaints.
Prepare and implement the university's affirmative action plan.
Training, Development, and Organizational Effectiveness
Design and deliver strategic learning and development programs that
strengthen employee relations, compliance, leadership capability, and
inclusive workplace practices.
Partner with leaders at all levels to build management and supervisory
effectiveness, including communication, performance management, and team
development.
Advance equity-informed and inclusive practices through training,
coaching, and ongoing professional development opportunities.
Support and lead initiatives that enhance organizational effectiveness,
employee engagement, and workplace culture.
Utilize data, feedback, and assessment tools to continuously improve
learning strategies and workforce development outcomes.
HR Systems, Records, and Reporting
Maintain official personnel records and ensure data integrity.
Ensure data integrity within HR systems, which support reporting, and
analytics (e.g., IPEDS, CUPA, SAIF).
Continuously improve HR processes, systems and service delivery.
Other Duties
Ensure compliance with legal mandates (e.g., ADA, FMLA, HIPAA).
Serve as hearings officer when appropriate.
Perform other duties as assigned.
Minimum Qualifications Education
Master's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related
field.
Professional Experience
Seven (7) or more years in all of the following HR competencies:
Progressively responsible human resources administrative experience,
including senior level leadership responsibility
Collective Bargaining Experience, including serving as a lead negotiator
or key participant in labor negotiations.
Demonstrated in-depth expertise in employee and labor relations,
including:
Employment law compliance (federal, Oregon, and multi-state)
Complaint investigation and resolution
Collective bargaining agreement administration
Performance management and conflict resolution
Strategic HR Leadership, with demonstrated ability to advise and partner
with senior leadership on workforce strategy, organizational
effectiveness, and complex personnel matters.
Supervision and Team Leadership, with a track record of building and
leading effective, service-oriented teams.
Experience fostering a positive, inclusive workplace culture, including
employee engagement, leadership development, and organizational change
initiatives..
Must satisfactorily complete EOU criminal and credential background check.
Having a criminal history is not an automatic bar to employment.
In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to
verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to
complete the required employment eligibility verification form upon hire.
Eastern Oregon University does not sponsor applicants for employment
visas.
Preferred Qualifications
Experience in higher education or public-sector, unionized environments
Professional HR certification (SPHR, SHRM-SCP, etc.)
Experience serving as chief spokesperson or lead negotiator infaculty
bargaining
Experience overseeing or partnering on Title IX / EEO / Affirmative Action
programs
Special Instructions to Applicants Applicant must provide:
Letter of application (which should include why this position is attractive to the applicant, how it meets the applicant's professional goals, and what attracts the applicant to EOU);
Complete curriculum vitae (resume);
Submit names, emails, and phone numbers for at least three references in the reference section of the application.
Candidates are encouraged to review the Values and Principles of Eastern
Oregon University.
Only complete files of qualified applicants will be reviewed.
Eastern Oregon University – Oregon's Rural University! – is a respected
public, higher education institution of academic excellence. Outstanding
faculty and staff thrive and together fulfill their career ambitions to serve
students from all walks of life.
The Eastern Oregon University main campus is on a beautiful, quaint campus
nestled in a remarkably scenic, high elevation valley populated by wonderful,
community-minded citizens that have balanced work-life flexibility. Take a
Virtual Tour of Eastern Oregon University.
EOU offers a very attractive package of State of Oregon public employee
benefits including:
Paid holidays (10 days/year)
Paid sick time-off (12 days/year)
Paid vacation (22 days/year)
Individual and Family Healthcare Insurance (95%+ employer-paid medical,
dental, vision)
Oregon Paid Leave benefits (up to 12 paid weeks)
Federal FMLA and State of Oregon Family Leave (OFLA) benefits (up to 12
weeks paid/unpaid)
Employer-paid life insurance
Relocation assistance
Discounted tuition benefits for employees and eligible dependents
For more details, see EOU Prospective Employees
Eastern Oregon University is an EEO Employer and welcomes applications from
women, members of historically underrepresented minority groups, US Veterans,
and persons with disabilities. EOU is committed to providing equal opportunity
in its recruitment, admissions, educational programs, activities, and
employment without illegal discrimination on the basis of age, color,
disability, national origin, race, marital status, religion, sex, sexual
orientation, gender identity, gender expression or any status as protected by
state or federal law.
Salary $123,000 to $135,000 per annum DOQ
Posting Detail Information
Open Date 08/27/2026
Close Date
Open Until Filled Yes
First Day of Application Review 09/10/2026
Quick Link to Posting https: // eou.peopleadmin.com/postings/3608
Posting Specific Questions
Required fields are indicated with an asterisk ().
How did you hear about this employment opportunity?
EOU Website Posting
Chronicle of Higher Education
State Employment Service
DiverseJobs.net
Referral by EOU Employee
HigherEdJobs.com
Newspaper
Other
If you answered "Newspaper" or "Other" above, please give specifics here:
(Open Ended Question)
Applicant Documents
Required Documents
Resume/Curriculum Vitae
Cover Letter
Optional Documents
Letter of Recommendation 1
Letter of Recommendation 2
Letter of Recommendation 3
Veteran Preference Document
