Western New England University · 23 hours ago
Chief Human Resources Officer
Springfield, MA
Full-time
Onsite
Director/Executive
$155K/yr - $185K/yr
10+ years expWestern New England University is seeking a Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO) to provide strategic and operational leadership for all human resources functions. The CHRO will lead a team and be responsible for developing HR strategies, policies, and systems that support the university's mission and objectives while fostering an inclusive and high-performing workplace.
EducationHigher EducationUniversities
Responsibilities
Provide overall strategic and operational leadership for all human resources functions, including recruitment and onboarding, retention, compensation, payroll, benefits, health and wellness, training and development, performance management, HRIS, policy development, compliance, and change management
Develop and implement long-range human resources strategies that anticipate institutional needs, enhance employee engagement, improve organizational effectiveness, mitigate risk, and ensure fiscal responsibility, and are consistent with and supportive of the University’s strategic plan
Serve as a trusted advisor to senior leadership on organizational design, management practices, workforce planning, and employee relations matters
Lead organizational initiatives that support institutional priorities and strengthen leadership and professional development at all levels
Develop and promote an employer brand that attracts, engages, and retains high-quality talent, while encouraging faculty and staff to serve as ambassadors for the University
Provide leadership in developing University-wide strategies to recruit, develop, and retain a diverse, inclusive, and highly competent workforce
Direct and support faculty and staff search processes, providing training and guidance to search committees to ensure fair, equitable, and unbiased recruitment and hiring practices
Lead the analysis and evaluation of employee performance to identify gaps, develop performance improvement strategies, support career development, and optimize talent utilization across the institution
Maintain direct involvement in recruiting and hiring for key and hard-to-fill roles. Engage in sourcing, interviewing, and finalist selection as needed
Plan and execute any necessary reductions in force or organizational changes that affect personnel needs
Design, implement, and evaluate comprehensive compensation and benefits programs that are competitive, equitable, and aligned with market benchmarks and institutional goals
Annually review and assess exempt and non-exempt pay structures for external competitiveness and internal equity, ensuring compliance with federal and state laws
Establish HR metrics and regularly analyze data to assess effectiveness, inform decision-making, and ensure alignment with institutional priorities
Promote and reinforce organizational values and expected conduct, including the University’s Commitment to Civility, to foster a respectful, collaborative, and positive campus environment
Intervene in and mediate employee conflicts, supporting fair resolution and building conflict management capacity across the organization
Stay current with industry trends, best practices, and legal and regulatory requirements to ensure compliance with University policies and applicable laws
Oversee Title IX/Title IV functions and services, including the investigation and resolution of discrimination and harassment complaints involving faculty, staff, students, applicants, and third parties
Evaluate and coordinate requests from employees for reasonable accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
Ensure institutional compliance with all relevant employment-related laws and regulations
Lead, supervise, and evaluate the performance of the Human Resources team, fostering a culture of collaboration, accountability, and continuous improvement
Support ongoing professional development for HR staff to maintain a high-performing and service-oriented department
Collaborate with campus leaders to facilitate strategic planning, cross-functional collaboration, and continuous improvement practices
Perform other duties and special ad-hoc projects as assigned, including direct participation in initiatives requiring detailed analysis, problem solving, and execution
Qualification
Required
Advanced degree or equivalent relevant experience
Minimum of 10+ years of progressively responsible senior human resources leadership experience in a mid- to large-sized public-facing organization
Strong business acumen
Sound judgment
Proven ability to lead complex HR operations in dynamic environments
Ability to interact with all roles and positions within the University including faculty, staff, students, and other leaders
Comfortable rolling up their sleeves and getting into the details
Excellent communication skills
Excellent organizational skills
Excellent leadership skills
Ability to collaborate effectively with individuals from diverse cultural, educational, and professional backgrounds
Preferred
Experience in higher education
Company
Western New England University
Western New England University is a private university located in Springfield, Massachusetts.
501-1000 employees
Funding
Current Stage
Late StageTotal Funding
$0.64MKey Investors
Massachusetts Clean Energy Center,MassVentures
2023-12-31Grant· $0.07M
2022-04-01Grant· $0.07M
2014-04-04Grant· $0.5M
Leadership Team
Kristine C. Goodwin, Esq.
Vice President and Chief Experience Officer (CXO)
Greg Leonard
Director of Corporate Partnerships
Recent News
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