Vice President of Human Resources and Workplace Experience

Pacific Northwest University of Health Sciences (PNWU) located in Yakima Washington seeks an accomplished and solution oriented executive to serve as the Vice President of Human Resources and Workplace Experience (VPHRWE) to reimagine elevate and advance the role of human resources within the organization and to play a critical role in helping to shape the future of PNWUs workplace culture and employee experience. Since graduating its inaugural class of 70 Doctors of Osteopathic Medicine in 2012 PNWU has grown substantially with five health science programs designed to meet the needs of rural and medically underserved communities. The College of Osteopathic Medicine School of Physical Therapy School of Occupational Therapy School of Dental Medicine and the Master of Arts in Medical Sciences program focus on producing healthcare professionals who reflect and serve the local communities. Located on a collaborative 70-acre health sciences campus with 690 students across five health programs 97 faculty members and 203 staff PNWU serves as a hub of collaboration and innovation.

The VPHRWE will join PNWU at a time of meaningful momentum with the continued advancement of a dynamic strategic plan () ongoing expansion of academic offerings and deepening of clinical addition the recent appointment of the institutions seventh President Dr. Michael H. Mittelman marks a pivotal moment for PNWU as the University continues to expand its mission-driven work in health sciences education and service to underserved communities.

Reporting directly to President Dr. Michael H. Mittelman and serving as a key member of the Presidents executive leadership team the VPHRWE is the principal steward of PNWUs human-capital strategy aligning strategy resources and operations to advance institutional priorities and shared accountability. Following the institutions two decades of rapid growth this leader will have the opportunity to build a modern sophisticated and strategic human resources organization to establish best practices policies systems and programs to effectively support the evolving needs of the organization and its mission-driven employees at all levels. As a result the HR organization will be known for service excellence transparent communication and evidence-based decision-making.

Particular areas of focus for the VPHRWE include shaping a transformative and future-focused strategy for human resources implementing best practices for the recruitment and hiring of top talent delivering comprehensive training for managers and supervisors implementing programs to elevate workplace experience and deepening campus-wide trust through transparent communication and addition a key priority for the VPHRWE is fostering a culture of university-wide succession planning leadership development and structured role-based learning pathways that cultivate supervisor capability and support employee career progression. This ensures that the University not only retains top talent but also empowers individuals at every level to advance and realize their professional goals. As a result the VPHRWE will support a dynamic and resilient workforce driving operational excellence and positive outcomes for the community and will sustain university-wide employee engagement and productivity across the institution.

The PNWU community desires a leader who brings demonstrated experience advancing transformational change in complex mission-driven environments who possesses broad human resources knowledge and a strong record of driving efficiencies and innovation in HR business practices fostering collaboration across all levels of an organization and delivering strategic consultative services to organizational addition the ideal candidate will have a reputation as a transparent and trusted colleague an excellent listener and will possess the humility to roll up their sleeves and be known as a solution-oriented problem solver. Unquestionable integrity strong management skills and the courage to take a firm stand or apply a gentle touch as a situation requires will be critical.

A deep resonance with and eagerness to embrace PNWUs service-centered mission and values and contribute to and advance these within the University and beyond will be paramount. The leader will bring experience supporting a workforce of diverse constituents an appreciation for and understanding of the nuanced needs of faculty including clinical faculty and at least ten years of progressively responsible human resources experience including supervisory experience with an institution of higher education or healthcare system of comparable size and complexity. Prior experience in a graduate health sciences institution is strongly preferred.

All applications nominations and inquiries are invited. Applications should include as separate documents a CV or resume and a letter of interest addressing the themes in the leadership profile available at .

Professional references are not requested at this time. WittKieffer is assisting Pacific Northwest University of Health Sciences in this search. For fullest consideration candidate materials should be received by November 3 2025.