Head of People (University)

Job summary

My client is one of the leading educational institutions in Vietnam, part of a prominent group that includes universities, colleges, and other educational entities. They are committed to excellence in education and are now looking for a strategic and dynamic Head of People Management to join our leadership team. This is an exciting opportunity to drive transformation and support the university's growth through people-focused strategies, while shaping a culture of success and innovation.

Job Summary:

The Head of People Management will oversee all aspects of human resources for the university, ensuring that the institution attracts, retains, and develops the best talent. This role is ideal for someone with a strong background in HR within the higher education sector, who has the ability to lead strategic initiatives, drive organizational development (OD), and optimize recruitment and compensation & benefits (C&B) practices. This role is pivotal in leading the university through a period of restructuring and transformation, aligning HR practices with the long-term growth and strategic goals of the business.

Job Responsibilities

Key Responsibilities:

• Leadership and Strategy:
  • Provide strategic leadership in all aspects of human resources management for the university, ensuring alignment with the institution's vision, mission, and long-term business goals.
  • Develop and implement HR strategies to support the university’s growth, including workforce planning, talent management, and succession planning.
  • Lead organizational design and restructuring initiatives to drive efficiency, performance, and alignment with the university’s evolving needs.
• Recruitment and Talent Acquisition:
  • Oversee the recruitment strategy to attract top-tier academic and administrative talent to the university, ensuring a diverse and inclusive workforce.
  • Partner with academic departments and business units to understand staffing needs and create tailored recruitment strategies.
  • Optimize the university’s recruitment process, ensuring a seamless and positive experience for candidates.
• Compensation and Benefits (C&B):
  • Manage the development and implementation of competitive compensation and benefits programs that align with industry standards and attract top talent.
  • Regularly review and adjust compensation strategies to ensure they are equitable, competitive, and sustainable.
  • Oversee performance management systems, including salary reviews and incentive programs.
• Organizational Development (OD):
  • Lead initiatives to develop the university's organizational culture, ensuring that it fosters collaboration, innovation, and continuous improvement.
  • Design and implement training and development programs to enhance staff skills and performance, focusing on leadership development and career growth.
  • Implement change management processes to ensure successful adoption of strategic changes within the university’s structure.
• Employee Relations and Engagement:
  • Foster a positive and engaging workplace culture that aligns with the university’s core values and objectives.
  • Address and resolve employee relations issues in a timely and effective manner, promoting a fair and transparent work environment.
  • Work closely with department heads to ensure high levels of employee engagement, retention, and satisfaction.
• Compliance and Risk Management:
  • Ensure all HR policies and practices are in compliance with labor laws, regulations, and university policies.
  • Develop and maintain HR reports, ensuring accurate tracking of key performance indicators (KPIs) and HR metrics.
  • Mitigate organizational risks by proactively managing HR-related issues and ensuring the university is compliant with local and international employment standards.
• Experience:
  • At least 7-10 years of progressive HR experience, including a minimum of 5 years in a leadership role within a higher education institution or similar complex organization.
  • Proven experience in restructuring, organizational development, recruitment, C&B, and employee relations in a university or academic environment.
  • Strong knowledge of labor laws and HR practices in Vietnam, with the ability to navigate complex HR landscapes.
• Skills and Competencies:
  • Strategic thinker with the ability to align HR initiatives with the long-term vision and objectives of the university.
  • Strong leadership and interpersonal skills, with the ability to influence and collaborate with senior management and stakeholders.
  • Excellent communication and problem-solving skills.
  • Proven ability to drive change and manage organizational transformation.
  • High degree of emotional intelligence and cultural sensitivity.

Additional Information: This role offers the unique opportunity to shape the future of an esteemed educational institution while making a lasting impact on the growth and development of the university. The successful candidate will be someone who thrives in a dynamic, evolving environment and is excited to take on the challenges of leading HR functions through a significant transformation process.

Experience requirements

Experience:

• At least 7-10 years of progressive HR experience, including a minimum of 5 years in a leadership role within a higher education institution or similar complex organization.
• Proven experience in restructuring, organizational development, recruitment, C&B, and employee relations in a university or academic environment.
• Strong knowledge of labor laws and HR practices in Vietnam, with the ability to navigate complex HR landscapes.

Education requirements

Qualifications and Requirements:

• Education:
  • A Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Education Management, or a related field.
  • Professional HR certifications (e.g., SHRM-SCP, CIPD, or equivalent) are a plus.

Contact Person

•   Thang Nguyen
•  Adecco