N.C. A&T

North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University 

Associate Vice Chancellor and Chief Human Resources Officer

Academic Career & Executive Search is pleased to assist North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University in its search for Associate Vice Chancellor and Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO). 

For full consideration, please apply by October 13, 2025.

This is a career-defining opportunity for an HR leader to join North Carolina A&T State University (N.C. A&T), renowned as the nation's largest HBCU, a distinction it has held for 12 consecutive years. With year-over-year enrollment growth since 2013, the University once again achieved record enrollment with over 14,000 students starting the Fall 2025 semester. This remarkable trajectory underscores N.C. A&T's strength, momentum, and national leadership, making it an exceptional environment for an HR executive to shape the future of a thriving, expanding institution.

Adding to the record enrollment is a bold capital agenda, strategic partnerships, new programs, and strong hiring initiatives for over 1,800 full-time faculty and staff. Capital projects include new residential facilities, a $90M engineering expansion, a $32M health services and professional office complex, an urban and community food complex, among others. N.C. A&T is rapidly transforming its campus environment and academic experience under Chancellor Martin's leadership in its ascent to an R1 designation. The CHRO will be a visionary leader who can modernize and elevate the HR function, act as a change agent, and champion the unique mission and culture of this HBCU to advance both organizational priorities and promote long-term sustainability. 

Reporting directly to the Vice Chancellor for Business and Finance and CFO, and serving as a member of the Chancellor's cabinet, the CHRO joins a dynamic team at a time of a system-wide HR transformation across the UNC system. The successful candidate will be both a strategic, transformational leader and a hands-on partner, who is comfortable advising at the cabinet level while also ensuring core HR services such as payroll, benefits, talent management, and employee relations are delivered effectively. In this critical role, the CHRO will be expected to balance vision with execution, using technology and innovation to strengthen operations, position HR as a trusted partner across the institution, and represent the university with the UNC System Office, the North Carolina Office of State Human Resources (OSHR), and peer institutions.  As a critical campus-facing leader, this position is required to live within a reasonable commuting distance from campus and will work primarily on site, with professional flexibility subject to leadership discretion. Learn more about the division of Human Resources here.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Provides executive leadership for the university's human resources function, aligning HR priorities with organizational goals and fostering a workplace culture of excellence, service, and accountability. Demonstrates fluency in the university's financial model—including state appropriations, auxiliary revenue, tuition policy, and sponsored research funding—and integrates financial insights into workforce planning, resource allocation, and labor cost modeling. Oversees comprehensive HR services for multiple distinct employee groups governed by varying policies, terms, and conditions of employment, including recruitment, classification and compensation, benefits, employee relations, performance management, and professional development. Leads the strategic use of HR technology and workforce data analytics to enhance service delivery, improve decision-making, and promote operational efficiency. Advances workforce effectiveness by driving talent development, succession planning, and faculty lifecycle processes; ensures compliance with federal, state, and system policies while promoting transparency and continuous improvement. Serves as a trusted advisor to executive leadership, providing insight on workforce dynamics, organizational risk, and strategic opportunities, and navigates complex change with emotional intelligence, pragmatism, and institutional perspective. Engages collaboratively with Academic Affairs, governance groups, and institutional committees to align HR perspectives with organizational needs, while fostering trust, transparency, and shared accountability. Represents the university on HR matters with the UNC System Office, the North Carolina Office of State Human Resources (OSHR), and peer institutions; monitors emerging trends and regulatory developments; and identifies opportunities for shared services and innovation. 

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Master's degree in Business, Human Resources, Higher Education Administration, Public Administration, or a related field. At least 10 years of progressive HR leadership experience in large, complex organizations, with demonstrated success leading workforce strategy and organizational change. Fluency with HR technology platforms and data-driven workforce reporting. 

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS 

Professional certifications (e.g., SHRM-SCP, SPHR). Experience engaging with governing boards, system offices, or other external oversight bodies. Experience managing employee groups under multiple personnel systems or regulatory frameworks in higher education, state government, or similarly complex public- or private-sector environments. Proven ability to collaborate with academic leadership and an understanding of shared governance. Experience leading cross-functional teams and prior experience as a chief human resources officer, or as a principal deputy/associate responsible for leading major HR functions in a large, complex organization.  Background in or exposure to Lean Six Sigma methodology or other process improvement methodologies.

About the Institution

Located in Greensboro, N.C. A&T is one of 17 institutions of the University of North Carolina (UNC) System and is an 1890 land-grant doctoral research institution with national distinction in STEM education and research. The university is committed to fulfilling its fundamental purposes through exemplary undergraduate and graduate education, scholarly and creative research and effective community engagement. The mission of N.C. A&T is to prepare students to advance the human condition and facilitate economic growth in North Carolina and beyond by providing a preeminent and diverse educational experience through teaching, research, and scholarly application of knowledge.      

N.C. A&T ranks third in the UNC System in external research and sponsored program awards, trailing only UNC-Chapel Hill and N.C. State University. The university's new strategic plan, Preeminence 2030, focuses on development of its teaching, research and engagement work consistent with attaining the "R1 / Very High Research Activity" institutional designation.    

The university's academic structure comprises the:  

   

College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences  College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences  Willie A. Deese College of Business and Economics  College of Education  College of Engineering  Honors College   John R. and Kathy R. Hairston College of Health and Human Sciences  College of Science and Technology   Joint School of Nanoscience and Nanoengineering  School of Nursing    

   

The University offers 59 undergraduate degrees, 36 master's degrees, 14 doctoral programs (including 13 PhD programs and one Doctorate in Nursing Practice), 43 online degree programs and 45 certificate programs. N.C. A&T provides a dynamic learning experience to all students that is responsive to current critical needs in higher education and in the disciplines. To learn more about the Division of Academic Affairs and its strategic plans, visit here. 

N.C. A&T competes in Division I of the NCAA and is a member of the Coastal Athletic Association.  

Living in the Area

Offering a 16.1% lower cost of living than the national average, Greensboro is a thriving city of 300,000 with something for everyone: shopping, restaurants, the visual and performing arts, golf courses and 21 institutions of higher learning locally and in the surrounding area. The city itself has more than 90 miles of trails for hiking, biking and walking. It was voted a "Top 10 Green City" by , and North Carolina is ranked America's top state for business by CNBC for the second straight year.      

Greensboro is situated in the Piedmont Triad, an area of great natural beauty, diverse industry and mild temperatures. North Carolina's mountain resorts are an easy two-hour drive from Greensboro, and the beaches of North and South Carolina are three to four hours away. North Carolina's famed Research Triangle, home to multiple collaborative partners with N.C. A&T, is just an hour away. More information on the region is available at:      

To Apply 

For full consideration, please apply by October 13, 2025.

Please apply through the application link and do not email applications. 

Applications will be reviewed as they are received and should include a cover letter and curriculum vita. Ideally cover letters should not exceed two pages. All applications are treated confidentially.

Inquiries, referrals, and nominations are also treated confidentially.

Inquiries and questions: Please send to

Nominations and referrals: Please send the nominee's name, title, and contact information if available to

Institutional Information

North Carolina A&T State University is an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer. No one who applies or seeks employment will be denied admission to or employment at North Carolina A&T State University on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, age, disabling condition, veteran status, political affiliation, genetic information or sexual orientation and sexual identity.  

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