Harris Search Associates Seeking Top HR Leader for Johnson County Community College
January 16, 2024 – Jeffrey Harris and Ed Christ of Harris Search Associates have been called in by Johnson County Community College in Overland Park, KS, to lead its search for a vice president of human resources. The search firm seeks a dynamic, energetic, visionary leader who fosters innovation and collaboration in a shared governance environment.
This senior leader will oversee the comprehensive, strategic leadership of the Johnson County Community College human resources department, including employee benefit programs, compensation systems, recruitment and employment services, policy administration, human resources information systems (HRIS), employee relations, organizational development, and staff training. They will serve in an advisory capacity to college administration, the board of trustees, and employees, in matters of policy interpretation, contract interpretation, disciplinary and grievance proceedings, regulatory changes, and technical human resources issues.
Candidates should have a minimum 10 years of relevant experience in human resources, preferably in higher education and/or public service sectors, with demonstrated progression in responsibility, including HR leadership. They must have proven experience in effectively managing, negotiating, and implementing collective bargaining agreements, according to Harris Search Associates. Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM), SHRM-CP, SHRM-SCP, or SPHR certification is preferred. In addition, candidates should have knowledge of and ability to interpret employment laws, and applicable practices, and write policy.
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the skill and/or ability required:
• Excellent communication skills, including written, verbal, and interpersonal, and an ability to tailor communication styles to diverse audiences.
• Ability to cultivate strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders and create partnerships at all levels within the organization to achieve results.
• Ability to remain engaged and empathetic towards staff, faculty, and leadership with the ability to listen well and respond appropriately.
• Knowledge of employment-related laws and regulations.
• Ability to use diplomatic skills to help others negotiate and partner together to find the best solution for all.
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Johnson County Community College is a public, two-year institution of higher education. It is the state’s third largest institution of higher education and the largest of the 19 community colleges in the state of Kansas, educating approximately 35,000 students. Established in 1969, the school offers undergraduate credit courses in nearly 50 one- and two-year career degree and certificate programs.
Veteran Search Consultants
Harris Search Associates, an IIC Partners member firm, is a leading global higher education executive search and board advisory consulting firm with 44 offices in 33 countries worldwide. The firm’s higher education executive search practice is focused on identifying and attracting leaders to support the growth of clients in the areas of research, science, engineering, academic medicine, and healthcare enterprises. Clients include leading universities, research parks, institutes, academic medical centers, and healthcare organizations driving global innovation and discovery. Founded in 1997, Harris Search Associates was modeled after the first premier management consulting firms, in addition to its Ohio headquarters, the firm has regional offices in San Francisco and Dallas.
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Mr. Harris is the founder of the firm and leads the higher education, academic medicine, and healthcare administration practices. Prior to establishing the firm in 1997, Mr. Harris worked five years for a leading retained executive search firm where he concentrated on senior assignments on behalf of leading engineering, research, and health sciences clients. He is the global leader of the IIC Partners higher education/academic medicine practice, and from 2010 to 2013, was appointed to the board of IIC Partners as vice-chair for the Americas.
Recent clients include Michigan State University, Purdue University, Indiana University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology Lincoln Laboratory, Medical College of Wisconsin, University at Buffalo, Vanderbilt University, Oakland University, University of South Florida, University of Nebraska, Vanderbilt University, Kansas State University, University of North Dakota, University of South Dakota, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Dayton Children’s Hospital, Meharry Medical College, and Oregon Health & Science University.
Mr. Christ is an executive search professional and human resources consultant with more than 20 years of experience in non and for-profit industries, including higher education, healthcare/life sciences, engineering and consulting, industrial/manufacturing, and financial services. His executive search experience includes research and recruitment from the C-level executive to the specialized technical level.
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Contributed by Scott A. Scanlon, Editor-in-Chief; Dale M. Zupsansky, Executive Editor; Lily Fauver, Senior Editor – Hunt Scanlon Media
