Deputy Chief Human Resources Officer / Human Resources Director – College of Nursing

Samuel Merritt University•Oakland, CA

2d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Deputy Chief Human Resources Officer / Human Resources Director – College of Nursing serves as the senior HR leader supporting the College of Nursing while also functioning as a key strategic partner to the Chief Human Resources Officer. In this dual-capacity role, the individual serves as the dedicated HR Business Partner to the College of Nursing, providing strategic and operational leadership across talent strategy, workforce planning, employee relations, performance management, and organizational effectiveness for the University’s largest academic unit. In addition, the role supports the CHRO in advancing institutional HR initiatives and strengthening enterprise-wide HR practices, ensuring alignment between college-level workforce strategies and the University’s broader human capital priorities. This highly visible leadership position requires close collaboration with the Dean, Associate Deans, and Department Chairs, while also contributing to institutional HR leadership and cross-university initiatives.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree required
Organizational Development, or related field
8+ years of progressive HR leadership experience, in complex, matrixed organizations.
Demonstrated experience partnering with executive leaders in a consultative HR Business Partner capacity.
Strong knowledge of employment law, performance management practices, and employee relations.
Ability to balance strategic thinking with hands-on execution.
Strong interpersonal, communication, and influencing skills.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree in human resources, Organizational Development, or related field preferred.
8+ years of progressive HR leadership experience, complex, matrixed organizations, preferably in higher education
Experience supporting faculty or academic environments is highly desirable.

Responsibilities

Serve as the senior HR advisor and strategic partner to the College of Nursing leadership team.
Partner with the Dean and academic leadership to develop and implement workforce strategies aligned with enrollment growth, program expansion, and evolving healthcare workforce needs.
Provide strategic guidance on faculty and staff workforce planning, organizational design, and leadership effectiveness within the College.
Lead and advise on complex employee relations matters, ensuring consistent, fair, and legally compliant resolution of issues.
Support faculty and staff performance management processes, leadership coaching, and professional development initiatives.
Strengthen hiring effectiveness by working closely with academic leaders and the University’s Recruitment team to support timely and high-quality hiring of faculty and staff.
Utilize workforce data and hiring trends to inform strategic planning and capacity management across academic programs.
Ensure position management, approvals, and hiring practices are efficient, compliant, and aligned with institutional standards.
Partner with College leadership to strengthen engagement, accountability, and collaboration across academic and administrative teams.
Support leadership development and coaching for department chairs and academic leaders.
Identify organizational challenges and recommend solutions that enhance operational effectiveness and workforce performance.
Provide oversight and guidance on complex employee relations issues within the College of Nursing.
Ensure HR practices align with federal and California employment laws, university policies, and higher education regulatory requirements.
Partner with HR leadership and legal counsel as needed to address sensitive matters and mitigate institutional risk.
Serve as a strategic partner to the CHRO in advancing key HR initiatives and strengthening HR practices across the University.
Provide guidance and support to HR Business Partners serving other academic units and business units as needed to promote consistency and alignment in HR practices.
Support enterprise HR initiatives related to organizational effectiveness, talent strategy, employee engagement, and leadership development.
Contribute to institutional workforce planning and strategic HR initiatives that support the University’s mission and long-term growth.
Represent HR leadership in cross-functional initiatives or committees as delegated by the CHRO.