Vice President of Human Resources and Chief Human Resources Officer

Job No: 563107; 10/12/2026

Vice President of Human Resources and Chief Human Resources Officer

California State University, Los Angeles, invites applications for the above Administrator IV position.

The University: California State University, Los Angeles (Cal State LA) is one of 22 campuses within the California State University system.  The University is the premier comprehensive public university in the heart of Los Angeles. We offer nationally recognized programs, and our faculty have a strong commitment to scholarship, research, creative pursuits, and service.

As a federally recognized Hispanic-serving (HSI) and Asian American, Native American, and Pacific Islander-serving institution (AANAPISI), Cal State LA recognizes the transformative power of education and embraces its duty to identify and serve the needs of all its students. The University is committed to creating a community in which a diverse population of students, faculty, and staff can thrive.

The Position: California State University Los Angeles (Cal State LA) seeks a transformational, mission-centered human resources executive to serve as its inaugural Vice President for Human Resources and Chief Human Resources Officer (VPHR/CHRO). Reporting directly to President Berenecea Johnson Eanes and serving on the President’s cabinet and senior leadership team, the VPHR/CHRO will lead the University’s human resources enterprise at a pivotal moment of renewal and progress. This leader will build a modern, responsive, service-oriented HR division that aligns strategies, policies, practices, and culture in support of Cal State LA’s mission to transform lives and foster thriving communities across greater Los Angeles.

Cal State LA is one of the nation’s premier comprehensive public universities and a vital anchor institution in one of the most dynamic, diverse, and influential regions in the country. As part of the California State University system (CSU), the nation’s largest and most diverse four-year public university system, Cal State LA serves approximately 22,000 students and is nationally recognized as an engine of upward mobility, access, and economic opportunity. The University’s Vice President for Human Resources and Chief Human Resources Officer will join a deeply mission-driven institution with an enduring commitment to student success, public service, inclusion, and the greater good.

The division of human resources is entering a new chapter following a period of significant transition, with important stabilization efforts already underway to rebuild trust, strengthen the team, improve communication across the enterprise, and enhance organizational effectiveness. The VPHR/CHRO will build on this momentum by modernizing systems and processes, elevating service delivery, and positioning HR as a strategic, solutions-oriented partner across the University. This role requires a seasoned HR executive with deep expertise across the full human resources portfolio, experience leading change in a complex and highly unionized environment, and the strategic vision, sound judgment, and operational discipline to translate institutional priorities into effective workforce strategies, programs, and measurable outcomes.

The VPHR/CHRO will also play a central role in strengthening relationships across the University and within the broader CSU system. Cal State LA employs approximately 2,500 faculty, staff, and management personnel and operates within a systemwide collective bargaining environment. The VPHR/CHRO will be expected to foster productive labor-management relationships, build trust with faculty, staff, administrators, union leaders, and shared governance partners, and serve as an effective liaison to the CSU Chancellor’s Office and HR colleagues across sister campuses. Success will require a visible, approachable, collaborative, and transparent leader who can listen carefully, communicate clearly, navigate complexity with steadiness, and advance practical solutions with credibility and care.

WittKieffer is assisting Cal State LA with this search. Full leadership profile: cal-state-la-vice-president-for-human-resources-leadership-profile.pdf

Required Qualifications & Experience: Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in business administration or a related field. Minimum of ten (10) years of progressively responsible senior-level human resources leadership experience, including supervisory experience, with at least five (5) years in a senior management or executive leadership capacity within a complex, mission-driven, unionized organization. Significant experience leading multiple HR functions, including labor and employee relations, collective bargaining, compensation and classification, benefits, payroll, talent acquisition, organizational development, and workforce planning; advising executive leadership on complex and sensitive HR matters; developing and administering HR policies and programs; leading organizational change and process improvement; and developing and managing high-performing professional teams. Comprehensive knowledge of contemporary human resources administration and applicable federal and California employment laws and regulations, collective bargaining and labor relations, regulatory compliance, compensation strategy, workforce planning, organizational effectiveness, and institutional risk management. Demonstrated skills in strategic planning, organizational assessment, data-informed decision-making, consultation, negotiation, communication, and change leadership. Ability to translate institutional priorities into effective workforce strategies and measurable outcomes; establish credibility and collaborative working relationships with diverse constituencies; exercise sound judgment, discretion, and confidentiality in sensitive or high-impact matters; lead through influence and consensus-building; and demonstrate adaptability, innovation, accountability, inclusive leadership, and a strong commitment to service and the University’s mission. Incumbent must demonstrate an interest or ability in working in a multicultural/multiethnic environment. A background check (including a criminal records check) must be completed satisfactorily before any candidate can be offered a position with the CSU. Failure to satisfactorily complete the background check may affect the application status of applicants or continued employment of current CSU employees who may apply for the position.

California State University, Los Angeles, as part of the CSU system, is a State of California Employer. As such, the University requires all employees upon date of hire to reside in the State of California. As of January 1, 2022 the CSU Out-of-State Employment Policy prohibits the hiring of employees to perform CSU-related work outside the state of California.

Desired Qualifications: Master’s degree in human resources management, organizational development, labor relations, business administration, public administration, higher education administration, or a related field. Juris Doctor or other relevant advanced degree and/or senior-level professional certification such as SHRM-SCP, SPHR, or equivalent certification is desirable. Significant senior-level human resources leadership experience in higher education, preferably as a chief human resources officer or senior HR executive reporting to a president, chancellor, chief executive officer, or comparable executive leader. Experience within the California State University or another large public higher education system, including experience with faculty employment matters, Civil Rights, Title IX, equal employment opportunity, and implementation or improvement of enterprise human resources information systems. Knowledge of CSU or comparable public higher education systemwide policies, executive orders, collective bargaining structures, administrative practices, and the complexities of a large, unionized, and consultative academic environment. Demonstrated ability to collaborate effectively with academic and administrative leadership and apply human resources expertise within a complex higher education environment.

Compensation: Salary is commensurate with experience and qualifications. Salary range is $10,106 - $32,441/monthly. Budgeted hiring salary range is $23,333 - $23,833/monthly. A comprehensive benefits package is provided.

Appointment: The Administrator IV appointment will be made under the guidelines for management and supervisory employees of the California State University.  All rights and benefits associated with this appointment are governed by the Management Personnel Plan.

This position is a "designated position" in the California State University's Conflict of Interest Code. The successful candidate accepting this position is required to file Conflict of Interest forms subject to the regulations of the Fair Political Practices Commission.

Closing Date: All applications, nominations, and inquiries are invited. Applications should include, as two separate documents, a CV or résumé and a letter of interest addressing the themes in this profile.

For fullest consideration, candidate materials should be received by November 5, 2026.

Please submit all applications, nominations, and inquiries to the search team through the WittKieffer Candidate Portal: https://wittkieffer.com/positions/a1wun000002c9upmas.

Nominations and inquiries may be directed to:

Toni Davis, Ben Haden, and Sarah Palmer
CSULA-VPHR@wittkieffer.com

The person holding this position is considered a "mandated reporter" under the California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act and is required to comply with the requirements set forth in CSU Executive Order 1083 revised July 21, 2017, as a condition of employment.

In addition to meeting fully its obligations under federal and state law, California State University, Los Angeles is committed to creating a community in which a diverse population can live and work in an atmosphere of tolerance, civility and respect for the rights and sensibilities of each individual. To that end, all qualified individuals will receive equal consideration without regard to economic status, race, ethnicity, color, religion, disability, national origin or cultural background, political views, sex or sexual orientation, gender, or other personal characteristics or beliefs.

Candidates must demonstrate ability and/or interest in working in a multicultural/multiethnic environment. Certain positions require fingerprinting. The University actively encourages qualified minorities, women and persons with a disability to apply.  Upon request, reasonable accommodation will be provided to individuals with protected disabilities to (a) complete the employment process and (b) perform essential job functions when this does not cause an undue hardship. We are an Equal Opportunity/Title IX Employer.

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