Academic Career & Executive Search Seeking New HR Leader for Fort Hays State University
March 10, 2025 – Academic Career & Executive Search (ACES) has been retained by Fort Hays State University to lead in its search for a director of human resources. Jennifer Muller, managing partner, is leading the search. With a strong, dedicated and experienced team already in place, the director will be well supported in providing leadership across human resources, employee relations, academic appointments, payroll, student employment, performance management, benefits, and other employment matters.
This role oversees a team of eight employees, including recruitment, student employment, payroll, HR operations, and organizational development staff, according to ACES. The ideal candidate is a highly collaborative leader who builds relationships at all levels to drive HR initiatives. The director is responsible for clearly communicating and interpreting HR policies, federal and state laws, and regulations while maintaining confidentiality, sound judgment and discretion in handling sensitive matters.
Those applying should have the demonstrated ability to work effectively, independently and as a member of a team, especially in a fast-paced, highly dynamic environment. They must have extensive knowledge of employment laws related to FLSA, FMLA, ADA, EEO, worker’s compensation and other relevant legislation. Candidates will have at least five years of human resource management and supervisory experience with a bachelor’s degree in human resources, business administration or a related field.
Here are some additional knowledge, skills and abilities aces is looking for in candidates:
- Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively with both internal and external constituents, including Board members and audit firms.
- Active Listening – Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
- Critical Thinking – Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
- Adaptability/Flexibility – Requires being open to change (positive or negative) and to considerable variety in the workplace.
- Time Management & Organizing, Planning & Prioritizing Work – Managing one’s own time and the time of others and developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.
- Database user interface – Comfortable using technology and is adaptable to quickly learning new software.
Founded in 1902 as the Western Branch of Kansas State Normal School, Fort Hays State University has grown into a regional leader as a comprehensive public university offering more than 200 degree programs across various disciplines, including business, education, nursing, technology, and the liberal arts. With a student body of over 12,000, including a significant number of online learners, the university provides a flexible and accessible education tailored to both traditional and non-traditional students.
Based in West Hartford, CT, Academic Career & Executive Search focuses on executive search services, career planning, and candidate coaching. Specializing in challenging faculty to senior administrative positions, the firm offers six a la carte services spanning full search, candidate generation, interim, multi-hire, and contingency search. Candidate support services include webinars, career planning, and candidate coaching. Its team has served in virtually every capacity in higher education including president, vice president, provost, dean, chief human research officer, and faculty members across all types and sizes of institutions.
Ms. Muller has more than 20 years of research and development experience in higher education and Fortune 500 companies. She has led over 70 higher education searches both domestically and internationally spanning presidents, vice presidents, associate chancellors, deans, directors, chairs, and faculty level positions. Ms. Muller is former vice chair of the American Council on Education (ACE) Executive Search Roundtable and serves as an advisor in the numerous ACE leadership development forums.
Past Assignment
Academic Career & Executive Search recently placed John Michael Leger as chief executive officer and dean, school of nursing at Tarleton State University in Stephenville, TX. “Dr. Leger is well-equipped to lead our School of Nursing, having over 20 years of experience as a healthcare executive, including roles such as chief nursing officer, vice president of nursing, and hospital CEO,” said Ramona Parker, associate vice president and executive dean for the College of Health Sciences. “I am excited about the opportunities that lie ahead and am confident that, under his leadership, we will continue to advance and strengthen our program.”
Dr. Leger comes to Tarleton State after spending the past 10 years at the University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB) at Galveston. In this role, he has served as a professor, track coordinator for the Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) executive nurse leadership track, and the inaugural interim track coordinator for the nursing PhD program.
A founding member of The Texas A&M System, Tarleton State University is breaking records — in enrollment, research, scholarship, athletics, philanthropy and engagement — while transforming the lives of approximately 18,000 students in Stephenville, Fort Worth, Waco, Bryan and online.
Contributed by Scott A. Scanlon, Editor-in-Chief and Dale M. Zupsansky, Executive Editor – Hunt Scanlon Media
