Chief Human Resources Officer

Position Overview: 
Eastern Connecticut State University (Eastern) seeks a dynamic, distinguished executive to serve as its next Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO) to guide the university through transformation and change. This is a unique opportunity for a visionary leader to join a vibrant, learning-centered community dedicated to teaching and scholarship, while also deeply committed to fostering a culture of inclusion. This is a full-time, in-person appointment, with the possibility of partial remote work during the summer months.

The CHRO is the principal steward of the human capital of the university, providing institutional leadership and service to sustain Eastern as an employer of choice and to help enable the achievement of the institution’s academic and service missions. Reporting to President Karim Ismaili, the CHRO will serve as a key officer for the institution and member of the president’s Cabinet. The CHRO will be charged with driving comprehensive transformational change within the human resources (HR) function to support the university. This includes expanding the HR team’s strategic competencies and focus, ensuring delivery of high-level proactive support; overseeing sophisticated business processes, policies and practices; fostering a culture of talent development; and nurturing an inclusive campus climate.

Chief Human Resources Officer: 
Reporting directly to the president, the position of Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO) will be responsible for managing all personnel and labor relations programs and services for Eastern Connecticut State University to assure their sound and fair administration and contribute to the effective utilization of the University’s human resources. This will include such actions as participating in labor contract negotiations, participating in development of bargaining strategy, performing and directing
application of the university’s multiple union contracts including interpretation of contract language to daily workplace situations, reviewing grievances, serving as hearing officer, preparing responses to grievances for such situations as arbitration hearing and advising managers on proper handling of disciplinary actions. The CHRO will direct the university’s training and development services for staff, including overseeing the assessment of training needs, evaluating training resources and arranging for training to aid staff and managers in the effective performance of their jobs. The successful candidate will be able to work collaboratively throughout the university and form meaningful partnerships in the delivery of HR products and services with offices, departments, faculty and staff and labor unions representing the various bargaining units.

This senior leadership opportunity comes at a pivotal time for the university where the need to hire a CHRO who can work alongside a dedicated team recognized for its transactional work will lead efforts to optimize the office’s structure to create an operating model that is more transformational. In that model, Eastern will develop innovative ways to adapt and be more responsive to the emerging needs of a diverse demographic workforce within the university. The CHRO will be expected to create and implement agile principles and procedures to ensure both strict prioritization of HR’s existing capacity and swift reallocation of resources when needed to address the most pressing issues and challenges. This is a full-time, in-person appointment, with the possibility of partial remote work during the summer months.

Essential Duties: 
The next Chief Human Resources Officer at Eastern will be responsible for directing and supervising the Human Resources Department and all aspects of university human resources management, including:

• Participating in labor contract negotiations and developing bargaining strategy; interpreting and implementing collective bargaining agreements, laws and regulations affecting personnel and labor relations and their application to daily workplace situations. 
• Processing grievances and advising managers and supervisors on labor relations and personnel management.
• Planning, developing, and recommending human resources policies, procedures, and objectives.
• Managing personnel records and reporting through a human resources information system (HRIS). 
• Managing employment processing for all University employees including benefits administration, classification, and compensation.
• Developing training and talent development opportunities for all employees. 
• Performing job analysis, classification and compensation.
• Conducting policy analysis and human resources studies; and working on special projects assigned by the President.

Qualifications: 
The CHRO is expected to have broad and deep expertise across all areas of HR (recruitment, hiring, onboarding, payroll, benefits, technology systems, training and development, performance management, employee experience, compensation, and employee relations). The ideal candidate will possess excellent communication and interpersonal skills; the ability to lead, manage, and develop HR staff; have demonstrated the ability to work collaboratively with faculty, staff, and/or administrators; and a high degree of emotional intelligence.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in human resources, Labor Relations, Public Administration, Business Management, or related field. 
• Seven years’ progressively responsible experience in human resources administration, including five years of supervisory experience.
• Proven track record of success in implementing programs that attract and retain a high performing, diverse workforce.
• High level business acumen and proven effectiveness as an advisor working directly with executives to align human capital initiatives with organizational strategy.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills; experience with conflict resolution.
• Human Resources’ experience in a collective bargaining environment.
• Experience in handling labor and employee relations issues involving multiple collective bargaining units.
• Knowledge of labor and employment law.
• Experience in responding to claims from Federal and State agencies and interfacing with legal counsel.
• Demonstrated experience in maintaining a workplace that supports and respects diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Advanced degree in Human Resources, Personnel Management, Public Administration, Business Administration, Organizational Management, Law, or in a related field. 
• Experience implementing professional development opportunities to enhance organizational success in Human Resources.
• Human Resources supervisory experience in public higher education.
• Human Resources supervisory experience in Connecticut State Government.
• Understanding and commitment to shared governance.

Salary and Benefits:
The Chief Human Resources Officer is compensated at the Executive 1 salary level in accordance with CSCU Human Resources Policies for Management and Confidential Professional Personnel. The salary range for this position is $145,000 to $175,000, commensurate with experience. For more information, please visit Bargaining Agreements/Pay Plans - Eastern.

The State of Connecticut and Eastern Connecticut State University are proud to offer employees competitive wages and a wide range of fringe benefits including voluntary and supplemental benefits.

Application Process:
Applications should consist of a substantive cover letter addressing the qualifications and expectations listed above, including specific experiences and accomplishments related to the areas noted in the position description, a curriculum vitae or resume, and a list of three to five professional references with full contact information and a note indicating the nature of your working relationship with each. References will not be contacted without the explicit permission of the candidate. Any application missing this information or references will be considered incomplete and will not be considered for review. Application materials should be uploaded into JazzHR at: Chief Human Resources Officer - Extended Search - Eastern CT State University - Career Page

Please view the Leadership Profile for additional information

Applications must be received by August 15, 2025.