Bowdoin College
Vice President for Human Resources
🇺🇸 Brunswick, ME
🕑 Full-Time
💰 TBD
💻 Human Resources
🗓️ September 22nd, 2025
Edtech.com's Summary
Bowdoin College is hiring a Vice President for Human Resources. The role involves leading human resources strategy, fostering a collaborative culture, managing change effectively, and creating supportive work environments for all employees. The Vice President reports to the senior vice president for finance and administration & treasurer and will join a leadership team committed to the college's mission and community.
Highlights
- Lead human resources operations and strategy development for the college.
- Build strong relationships and collaborations across all organizational levels.
- Drive positive change management and develop interconnected HR policies and systems.
- Manage confidential information with discretion and demonstrate excellent communication and presentation skills.
- Use data-informed decision-making to enhance HR functions and employee engagement.
- Preferred technical skills include experience or competency with Workday HR software.
- Required qualifications: Bachelor’s degree in HR, business administration, or related field; 7-10+ years of progressive HR experience with leadership roles.
- Preferred qualifications: Master’s degree, HR certifications (SHRM-CP, SHRM-SCP, PHR, SPHR), and higher education experience.
- Commitment to equity, inclusion, cultural awareness, and the ability to manage constructive conflict.
- Employment is full-time, year-round, salaried, and benefits-eligible.
Vice President for Human Resources Full Description
Vice President for Human Resources
Please see Special Instructions for more details.
Screening of complete applications will begin immediately and continue until the completion of the search process. Inquiries, nominations, referrals, and CVs with cover letters should be sent via the Isaacson, Miller website for the search. Electronic submission of materials is strongly encouraged.
https://www.imsearch.com/open-searches/bowdoin-college/vice-president-human-resources
https://www.imsearch.com/open-searches/bowdoin-college/vice-president-human-resources
Posting Details
Posting Details
Title | Vice President for Human Resources
Posting Number | S01480JP
Department | Human Resources
Job Summary | Bowdoin College (Bowdoin or the College) seeks a strategic, innovative, collaborative, and results-oriented leader to serve as its next vice president for human resources (VPHR). Reporting to the senior vice president for finance and administration & treasurer, the VPHR will join Bowdoin at a time of tremendous opportunity. Centering Bowdoin’s community and the common good, the next VPHR will join a leadership team that is deeply committed to the College’s mission and people. The ideal candidate will be a transformative people and culture leader dedicated to creating optimal working environments and nurturing interconnected systems and policies for all Bowdoin employees. They will lead from a place of integrity, be a strong relationship-builder and collaborator, and have a proven track record of positive change management and a forward-looking, proactive approach to human resources.
Screening of complete applications will begin immediately and continue until the completion of the search process. Inquiries, nominations, referrals, and CVs with cover letters should be sent via the Isaacson, Miller website for the search. Electronic submission of materials is strongly encouraged.
https://www.imsearch.com/open-searches/bowdoin-college/vice-president-human-resources
Education/Skills Requirements | Minimum Qualifications
• Bachelor’s degree in human resources, business administration, or other related field.
• Ability to interact productively and tactfully with all levels of the organization.
Preferred Qualifications
• Master’s degree in human resources, business administration, or related field.
• HR certification (SHRM-CP, SHRM-SCP, PHR, SPHR).
• Previous higher education experience.
• Proven experience with or competency in Workday functionality.
• Demonstrated experience with data-informed decision-making.
Experience Requirements and/or Equivalents | Seven to ten+ years of progressively responsible human resources experience, including leadership/management experience.
• Contemporary knowledge of HR policies, practices, and laws.
• Ability to handle highly confidential and/or sensitive information and exercise discretion concerning its disposition.• Initiative, sound judgment, and demonstrated ability to set priorities.
• Demonstrated ability to manage change and lead through organizational growth.
• Ability to engage with others in constructive conflict resolution, with implied influence and persuasion.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Presentation skills—ability to present information to large and small groups
• Demonstrated commitment to equity, inclusion, and cultural awareness.
• Ability to analyze and resolve complex problems/situations, often with multiple or conflicting information.
Standard Work Days and Hours | This is an on-campus, exempt level position that requires the time commitment to complete the essential duties of the position.
About Bowdoin | Bowdoin embraces diversity in all forms, and the College is home to talented students, faculty and staff—with a variety of racial, ethnic, cultural, and socioeconomic backgrounds; religious beliefs; and gender identities, among other factors.
We encourage applications from candidates committed to the support of an inclusive campus community and those who will enrich and contribute to the College’s multifaceted diversity. We value a community in which individuals of all backgrounds are warmly welcomed and encouraged to succeed.
Founded in 1794, Bowdoin has maintained its commitment to the liberal arts for well over 200 years. Bowdoin’s reputation as a preeminent liberal arts college rests on the excellence of its faculty, students, and staff; intimate size; strong sense of community; and connections to the people, history, and natural beauty of Maine.
Bowdoin’s campus is situated in a beautiful natural setting. Located in Brunswick, Maine, a town of approximately 20,000, the College is a short drive from the Maine coast, twenty-five miles from Portland and 120 miles from Boston.
Shift |
Employment Category | Full Time Year Round
FTE | 1.00
Benefits Eligible | Yes
Pay Type | Salaried
Background Check Package Requirements | Administrative Staff + Credit
Is driving a vehicle (e.g. Bowdoin vehicle or off road vehicle, rental car, personal car) an essential function of this job? | No
Is a pre-placement physical required for this position? | No
Posting Date | 09/19/2025
Applications Accepted Until |
Open Until Filled | No
Type of Posting | Internal
Special Instructions to Applicants | Screening of complete applications will begin immediately and continue until the completion of the search process. Inquiries, nominations, referrals, and CVs with cover letters should be sent via the Isaacson, Miller website for the search. Electronic submission of materials is strongly encouraged.
https://www.imsearch.com/open-searches/bowdoin-college/vice-president-human-resources
EEO Information | Bowdoin College complies with applicable provisions of federal and state laws that prohibit unlawful discrimination in employment, admission, or access to its educational or extracurricular programs, activities, or facilities based on race, color, ethnicity, ancestry and national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, age, marital status, place of birth, genetic predisposition, veteran status, or against qualified individuals with physical or mental disabilities on the basis of disability, or any other legally protected statuses.
Posting Number | S01480JP
Department | Human Resources
Job Summary | Bowdoin College (Bowdoin or the College) seeks a strategic, innovative, collaborative, and results-oriented leader to serve as its next vice president for human resources (VPHR). Reporting to the senior vice president for finance and administration & treasurer, the VPHR will join Bowdoin at a time of tremendous opportunity. Centering Bowdoin’s community and the common good, the next VPHR will join a leadership team that is deeply committed to the College’s mission and people. The ideal candidate will be a transformative people and culture leader dedicated to creating optimal working environments and nurturing interconnected systems and policies for all Bowdoin employees. They will lead from a place of integrity, be a strong relationship-builder and collaborator, and have a proven track record of positive change management and a forward-looking, proactive approach to human resources.
Screening of complete applications will begin immediately and continue until the completion of the search process. Inquiries, nominations, referrals, and CVs with cover letters should be sent via the Isaacson, Miller website for the search. Electronic submission of materials is strongly encouraged.
https://www.imsearch.com/open-searches/bowdoin-college/vice-president-human-resources
Education/Skills Requirements | Minimum Qualifications
• Bachelor’s degree in human resources, business administration, or other related field.
• Ability to interact productively and tactfully with all levels of the organization.
Preferred Qualifications
• Master’s degree in human resources, business administration, or related field.
• HR certification (SHRM-CP, SHRM-SCP, PHR, SPHR).
• Previous higher education experience.
• Proven experience with or competency in Workday functionality.
• Demonstrated experience with data-informed decision-making.
Experience Requirements and/or Equivalents | Seven to ten+ years of progressively responsible human resources experience, including leadership/management experience.
• Contemporary knowledge of HR policies, practices, and laws.
• Ability to handle highly confidential and/or sensitive information and exercise discretion concerning its disposition.• Initiative, sound judgment, and demonstrated ability to set priorities.
• Demonstrated ability to manage change and lead through organizational growth.
• Ability to engage with others in constructive conflict resolution, with implied influence and persuasion.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Presentation skills—ability to present information to large and small groups
• Demonstrated commitment to equity, inclusion, and cultural awareness.
• Ability to analyze and resolve complex problems/situations, often with multiple or conflicting information.
Standard Work Days and Hours | This is an on-campus, exempt level position that requires the time commitment to complete the essential duties of the position.
About Bowdoin | Bowdoin embraces diversity in all forms, and the College is home to talented students, faculty and staff—with a variety of racial, ethnic, cultural, and socioeconomic backgrounds; religious beliefs; and gender identities, among other factors.
We encourage applications from candidates committed to the support of an inclusive campus community and those who will enrich and contribute to the College’s multifaceted diversity. We value a community in which individuals of all backgrounds are warmly welcomed and encouraged to succeed.
Founded in 1794, Bowdoin has maintained its commitment to the liberal arts for well over 200 years. Bowdoin’s reputation as a preeminent liberal arts college rests on the excellence of its faculty, students, and staff; intimate size; strong sense of community; and connections to the people, history, and natural beauty of Maine.
Bowdoin’s campus is situated in a beautiful natural setting. Located in Brunswick, Maine, a town of approximately 20,000, the College is a short drive from the Maine coast, twenty-five miles from Portland and 120 miles from Boston.
Shift |
Employment Category | Full Time Year Round
FTE | 1.00
Benefits Eligible | Yes
Pay Type | Salaried
Background Check Package Requirements | Administrative Staff + Credit
Is driving a vehicle (e.g. Bowdoin vehicle or off road vehicle, rental car, personal car) an essential function of this job? | No
Is a pre-placement physical required for this position? | No
Posting Date | 09/19/2025
Applications Accepted Until |
Open Until Filled | No
Type of Posting | Internal
Special Instructions to Applicants | Screening of complete applications will begin immediately and continue until the completion of the search process. Inquiries, nominations, referrals, and CVs with cover letters should be sent via the Isaacson, Miller website for the search. Electronic submission of materials is strongly encouraged.
https://www.imsearch.com/open-searches/bowdoin-college/vice-president-human-resources
EEO Information | Bowdoin College complies with applicable provisions of federal and state laws that prohibit unlawful discrimination in employment, admission, or access to its educational or extracurricular programs, activities, or facilities based on race, color, ethnicity, ancestry and national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, age, marital status, place of birth, genetic predisposition, veteran status, or against qualified individuals with physical or mental disabilities on the basis of disability, or any other legally protected statuses.
Supplemental Questions
Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).
Applicant Documents
Required Documents
Optional Documents
Optional Documents
Bowdoin College complies with applicable provisions of federal and state laws that prohibit unlawful discrimination in employment, admission, or access to its educational or extracurricular programs, activities, or facilities based on race, color, ethnicity, ancestry and national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, age, marital status, place of birth, genetic predisposition, veteran status, or against qualified individuals with physical or mental disabilities on the basis of disability, or any other legally protected statuses.
Confidential arrangements will be made if you have a disability or require an accommodation in completing the application or in the interview process. Please notify Human Resources at (207) 725-3837 in advance so all necessary arrangements can be made confidentially.
Staff & Casual contact:
careers@bowdoin.edu
Faculty contact:
facultycareers@bowdoin.edu
(t)207-725-3837
216 Maine Street, Brunswick, ME 04011
Bowdoin College is a member of the Diversity Hiring Coalition of Maine, and Live and Work in Maine.
Confidential arrangements will be made if you have a disability or require an accommodation in completing the application or in the interview process. Please notify Human Resources at (207) 725-3837 in advance so all necessary arrangements can be made confidentially.
Staff & Casual contact:
careers@bowdoin.edu
Faculty contact:
facultycareers@bowdoin.edu
(t)207-725-3837
216 Maine Street, Brunswick, ME 04011
Bowdoin College is a member of the Diversity Hiring Coalition of Maine, and Live and Work in Maine.
Similar Jobs
HR Generalist
Newsela
🇺🇸 Remote - US
Human Resources Department Coordinator
Bowdoin College
🇺🇸 Brunswick, ME
Payroll Operations Technician
Virginia's Community College System
🇺🇸 Hybrid - Daleville, VA
Associate Vice Chancellor, Employee Relations
San Diego Community College District
🇺🇸 Hybrid - San Diego, CA
HRIS Analyst
Bright Horizons
🇺🇸 Remote - Newton, MA
