Kansas State University

The Chief Human Resources Officer is responsible for leading and managing the Division of Human Resources by providing the vision, leadership, strategic planning, and oversight for human resources throughout all functions and campuses of Kansas State University.  The CHRO manages approximately 33 staff with an annual operating budget of over $4.1 million.  Specific oversight includes Benefits, Compensation and Organizational Effectiveness, Employee Relations & Engagement, Labor Relations, Learning and Development, Resource Center-HRIS, and Talent Acquisition.  The CHRO reports to the Vice President for Administration and Finance.

The Benefits unit administers K-State benefits such as Kansas Public Employees Retirement System (KPERS), Kansas Board of Regents (KBOR) retirement plan, voluntary retirement and savings options, State Employee Health Plan, voluntary insurances, leave programs and more. The team provides education to employees regarding these benefits and ensures state and federal laws are adhered to.  This team also designs and delivers the Live Your Best #PurpleIsProgress wellness programming to meet the holistic well-being of K-State employees.   

Benefits can assist supervisors with identifying resources to support their employees. This unit counsels on appropriate use of leave, Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) considerations, phased retirement, and when to utilize the Employee Assistance Program. 

The Compensation & Organizational Effectiveness team is responsible for managing and administering K-State’s compensation and classification programs. These programs are designed to recognize, reward and retain a high-performing and diverse workforce while ensuring equity and regulatory compliance across the institution.  This unit welcomes the opportunity to consult, partner and train with departments and leaders across campus to effectively manage their staff compensation and position structures.

Employee Relations & Engagement provides consulting services on employee relations matters including policies and procedures, leadership development, mediation, dispute and conflict resolution, developmental and performance coaching, team or individual engagements, and interventions.  The unit also oversees labor relations and is responsible for negotiations with unions representing service and maintenance employees and university police offering guidance to all employees in the interpretation of memoranda of agreement and grievance resolution over interpretations of the memoranda. Employee Relations & Engagement also supports managers and supervisors in creating action plans to address performance and behavioral issues.  In addition, the unit is involved with addressing and engaging in discussion for accommodations as it relates to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). 

The Learning and Development unit supports K-State employees in a variety of ways.  Learning and Development hosts a range of training offerings each year including Introduction to Supervision, Supervising Students on the Job, and Effective Stress Management.  In addition, the office coordinates professional development across the university including programming such as Directors’ Roundtables and new leadership transition meetings.  Learning and Development staff can assist employees with information regarding LearnSmart and Fred Pryor Training Rewards accounts, both of which offer professional development to State employees at an affordable cost.  To find a list of offerings and the most up-to-date information, visit Learning and Development online.  

The HR Resource Center and Operations team is the HR and Payroll transactional center for the university.  This team delivers services for all aspects of payroll, personnel transactions, records management, compliance, and operational support for HRIS, forms, HR web pages and ImageNow. The Resource Center is also responsible to the HRIS system configuration and security.  The team supports additional pay processing, College Work Study Program, direct deposit updates, duplicate/replacement  W-2’s, ad-hoc reports, HR Forms, moving expense reimbursement, non-resident alien employment, leave accruals, payroll funding, paycheck data, and verification of employment.