Career Center

The Chief Talent, Equity, and Engagement Officer will lead all aspects of the employee life cycle, equity/compliance, and employee engagement/opportunities, with a team of three full-time professionals and two support staff. This position seeks a results-driven leader skilled in best human resources (HR) practices, multi-faceted institutional compliance, and acts as the diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) subject matter expert, manager and advisor to the Executive Leadership Team (SLT) and facilitates training initiatives across the campus. This position will identify the needs of the campus in diversity, equity, and belonging areas and will develop a comprehensive training program, in collaboration with faculty efforts, to serve both faculty and staff, as well as implementing the training program to assist in the achievement of institutional goals and operational objectives.

This position works with highly confidential and sensitive financial, budgetary and personnel information. Interacts with a diverse group of internal contacts from all levels of the institution as well as important external constituents. Works closely with SLT and other college personnel to create and execute a unified vision for institutional equity and inclusive excellence.

Responsible for the overall administration, coordination and evaluation of compensation and benefits, talent acquisition, learning and development, employee relations, HR systems and strategy, and employment policy development. Recommends plans, programs, policies, and procedures and provides leadership in all areas of responsibility. Educates and advises the SLT on strategic human resources issues as a factor in decision-making.

Conduct competitive market research to establish internal and external equity to help recruit, motivate and retain staff. Administer the job classification program for all administrative and support staff.

Responsible for equity in support of Central College's Welcome Statement by fostering a fair and equitable learning and working environment by:

• connecting with representatives of various offices across campus to develop a comprehensive institutional compliance program that provides the necessary policies, procedures, training, communications, resources, and oversight to prevent campus violations of applicable laws, Title IX, ADA, EEO, and other anti-discrimination policies, regulations, and college policies, and appropriately remediate concerns when they occur
• receiving, responding to, and investigating reports of sexual misconduct, discrimination, and harassment
• fostering open channels of communication
• providing support and resources to those impacted by sexual misconduct, discrimination, and harassment
• providing consultation and resources to the College community regarding
  • accommodating individuals with disabilities and
  • providing compliance-focused training
• gathering input from faculty and staff regarding the implementation of policies related to discrimination, harassment, and providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities.

Serve as the institutional Title IX Coordinator, with four Title IX deputy coordinators (faculty, athletics, student development, and one from within the office of HR). Work to strengthen the culture that supports a safe and respectful learning, working, and living environment on campus.

Coordinate and collaborate with various units on campus to implement and manage an effective legal compliance program. Collaborate with university leadership to review, develop and/or update policies to ensure cohesiveness and consistency as well as to ensure compliance policies are being enforced. Consult with the college legal counsel when appropriate.

Develop and maintain a professional development plan program which facilitates a staff member's progression through an established position career pathway. Responsible for organizational development programs providing employees with learning opportunities to enhance skills, improve effectiveness, develop leadership capability, increase employee engagement, and prepare for career mobility.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree in a related field.
• Five years' full life-cycle recruitment experience within an organization. Proven experience in executing recruiting strategy, including employer promotion in the marketplace, candidate management, diversity sourcing, and interview process management.
• Experience working in higher education.
• Ability to motivate, collaborate and work seamlessly with team members of all departments and levels.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills, advanced math skills, organizational skills, and the ability to relate and interact with diverse groups in a professional and skillful manner. 
• Strong problem-solving and research skills.
• Advanced computer skills with Office365 suite, to include Teams, Excel, Word, and others is a plus.

PHR/SHRM-CP is required within six months of hire.

About Central College

Central College in Pella, Iowa, is a private, four-year liberal arts college. Central is known for its academic rigor, its leadership formation and, most importantly, for its work creating genuine connections among students, faculty, coaches and alumni that help graduates realize their career aspirations for a lifetime. We are steadfastly dedicated to cultivating diversity of thought and culture through the arts and sciences, professional fields of study and experiential learning. The Central experience is rooted in exploration and self-discovery and enhanced by life in a residential community of 1,150 students with wide-ranging perspectives. Founded in 1853, Central values its long-standing relationship with the Reformed Church in America. The college participates in NCAA Division III athletics and is a member of the American Rivers Conference. Central’s home of Pella, Iowa, is a thriving community of more than 10,000. Pella impressively appears in Oprah’s 2021 60 Charming American Towns You Haven’t Heard of But Should Visit ASAP. The community is famous for its annual Tulip Time Festival, its Dutch pastries and its fully functional 1850s-style windmill. In fact, Pella has it all...! Pella is located just minutes from Red Rock Lake, Iowa’s largest lake, and is the corporate headquarters of several international companies, including Vermeer Corporation, Pella Corporation, Precision, Inc., and Lely North America. Niche.com named Pella one of the Best Places to Raise a Family in Iowa and one of the Best Places to Live in Iowa in 2021. Read more about our welcome statement and our covenant with the RCA.

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