Chief Human Resources Officer

Since our founding in 1950, we've been on a mission to reimagine higher education, reshaping it around the dynamic needs of our students. Motivated by our motto inserviendo consumere (consumed in service), we believe education is not just about classrooms and textbooks—it's about nurturing passions, fostering innovation, and embracing a spirit of relentless curiosity. Whether you're a trailblazing high school graduate, a college transfer, or a seasoned professional seeking new horizons, Mercy University is your launchpad to excellence.

About the Organization

At Mercy University, we have been helping to empower generations of learners to break new ground, achieve forward momentum, and create lasting impact that ripples beyond themselves, to their families and communities. We offer more than 100 undergraduate and graduate degree and certificate programs across six schools: Business, Education, Health and Natural Sciences, Liberal Arts, Nursing, and Social and Behavioral Sciences. Our student body of more than 9,000 students, including full-time and part-time undergraduates and graduates, thrives across our campuses in Westchester, the Bronx, and Manhattan, as well as online.

Mercy University stands as the largest private minority-serving institution and Hispanic-Serving Institution in the region, reflecting our long-standing commitment to educational access, and we have one of the lowest tuition rates of private, four-year colleges in the region. We have been ranked nationally among top colleges in the country for Hispanics by the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU) and by Excelencia in Education, earning their prestigious Seal of Excelencia for intentionally serving Latino students. We proudly serve a highly diverse student body that reflects the vibrancy of the New York metropolitan area and for the fifth consecutive year, Mercy University ranked in the Best Regional Universities North category. We are also a regional leader in preparing health care professionals and are a leading provider of teacher education for New York City schools and surrounding communities. We are proud to have been recognized as the Best College in Westchester County in 2019, 2020, and 2022 by Westchester Magazine.

We bring an unwavering dedication to the motivated student and our commitment to quality, student support, affordability, and innovation remains as strong today as ever. And in this pivotal moment, we recognize that our mission of transformative education is more important than ever before. That's why we are expanding our reach—adding new services, new programs, and new ways to educate even more students as we continue to grow and evolve.

To discover more about us, click here.

About the role

What You'll Do

As Mercy University positions for deepened impact and continued growth, we are seeking an outstanding human resources leader to become our Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO). Accountable for aligning the human resources function with the University's 2030 strategic goals, the CHRO will foster a strategic, results-oriented, people-focused operation that promotes employee engagement and supports the University's student-centered mission. The CHRO will lead all aspects of human resources, ensuring the University is an employer of choice that attracts, develops, and retains top talent while championing a culture of innovation, inclusion, and accountability.

This is an ideal opportunity for a proven human resources leader who is accustomed to managing a complex portfolio and aligns with our mission to provide quality, accessible education that helps students succeed and make a lasting impact on their communities.

Key Responsibilities

The CHRO will be responsible for oversight of all human resources strategy, operations and administration, including:

Organizational Culture and Change Management

Champion efforts to strengthen employee engagement and alignment with the University's student-focused mission by:

• Lead organizational change efforts, ensuring effective communication, adoption, and integration of new initiatives. Develop communications and strategies for both in-office and remote employees that promote a shared sense of purpose, consistency, and collaboration.
• Develop initiatives to create a world-class workplace by championing employee satisfaction, well-being, and work-life balance, in an effort to position Mercy as an employer of choice.
• Lead workforce planning, succession planning, and organizational design to support long-term growth and adaptability. Partner with leaders to ensure workforce design meets current and future needs.
• Ensure our total rewards strategy keeps Mercy University competitive in the talent market.
• Facilitate the development of human resources policies that promote employee engagement, support our mission, and safeguard the University.
• Drive digital transformation initiatives to modernize human resources systems and processes.
• Manage, develop, and coach a team of 8, with a focus on building strong outcomes and fostering a customer-service oriented culture.
• Serve as a strategic thought leader and partner to the President and University leadership team to ensure workforce design meets current and future needs.

Talent & Leadership Management

Oversee a team focused on talent and leadership management to achieve the following:

• Partner with various divisions to lead the talent acquisition efforts, including sourcing top talent, developing recruiting processes, facilitating on-boarding strategies, and building a strong employer brand to attract candidates and ensure a high-performing workforce.
• Communicate openly and transparently across all levels of the organization about organizational goals, changes, and provide the team with opportunities for input, ensuring alignment and fostering trust.
• Oversee compensation and benefits programs to ensure they align with our mission and support employee financial wellness and satisfaction.
• Implement effective performance management processes, including goal setting, feedback, and professional development plans. Implement effective performance management, succession planning, and leadership development programs.
• Foster a culture of continuous learning through robust professional development and leadership development initiatives.
• Lead efforts to improve employee engagement and job satisfaction; Design and implement strategies to foster camaraderie and cross-departmental collaboration; ensure strong recognition of teams and stars.

Human Resources Operations & Administration:

Provide leadership to the human resources team that ensures high quality people operations including:

• Manage benefits administration, including plan design, enrollment, and ongoing support for employees. Provide leadership for key external provider relationships.
• Act as a trusted advisor to employees and leadership, providing guidance on HR matters and conflict resolution.
• Lead labor relations efforts to promote positive workplace interactions and resolve conflicts effectively.
• Oversee the preparation and execution of faculty appointment letters.
• Ensure compliance with all labor laws, regulations, and University policies. Mitigate organizational risks through proactive People Operations strategies and oversight.
• Develop, implement, and maintain HR policies to align with the University's strategic goals and best practices.
• Evaluate, select, and implement technology solutions to enhance efficiency and employee experience.
• Utilize HR metrics and data analysis to inform decision-making and continuously improve HR programs and policies. Utilize HR technology and analytics to streamline processes, enhance decision-making, and improve the employee experience.
• Stay abreast of emerging trends and best practices in People Operations, leveraging them to drive innovation.

Institutional Equity & Title IX:

• Oversees the University's compliance with Title IX and ensure Mercy's commitment to providing a safe and nondiscriminatory environment for all members of the community through:
  • Ongoing education and primary prevention efforts
  • Investigation, response, and resolution of all reports of sexual and related misconduct under this policy
  • Efforts to eliminate prohibited conduct, prevent its recurrence, and remedy its effects.

Who You'll Work With

• You will report to Mercy University President, Dr. Susan Parish.
• You will supervise a team of 8, including two direct reports, the Executive Director and the Director of HRIS.
• You will frequently collaborate with across the Board of Trustees, Leadership Team, program and faculty leads, and other key stakeholders across the Mercy University ecosystem.

Required Skills and Experience

• 10+ years of progressive human resources experience, including at least 5 years at a senior leadership level, working in a large and complex organization. Experience working with unionized workforces is highly preferred. +Proven success leading and building strategic human resources teams and managing them through periods of growth and change.
• Demonstrated expertise in employee relations, talent and performance management, change management, culture and engagement/DEI, compensation and benefits, organizational development, and technology solutions.
• Proven track record leading culture change and working with diverse stakeholders, across lines of difference
• Ability to operate strategically and tactically, addressing immediate challenges while planning for the future.
• Exceptional communication skills, with the ability to adapt to diverse audiences and influence outcomes effectively.
• Strong business acumen, with the ability to connect human resources strategies to organizational goals.
• Commitment to Mercy's mission and unwavering dedication to providing a quality education, student support, affordability, and innovation
• Deep understanding of compensation, career paths, benefits, and perks for technology and academic environments.
• A bachelor's degree from an accredited four-year college or university.
• Proficiency in HR software, integrations, and digital tools.
• SHRM-SCP, SPHR, or equivalent certifications preferred.
• Legal background in employment law is a plus.

Compensation

The salary range for this role is $200,000 to $250,000, with the final offer depending on the candidate's experience and alignment with the key skills required for the CHRO position. In addition to salary, we strive to provide employees and their families with a comprehensive and valuable benefits package. We offer high-quality healthcare plans, retirement benefits, tuition discounts, flexible spending, and much more.

Benefits

• Comprehensive health care coverage through UnitedHealthCare Oxford
• Dental plan options provided by UnitedHealthCare
• Generous paid time off: vacation time, sick time, summer days, holidays, personal days & winter break
• Job-protected leave for qualifying family or medical need
• Retirement Plan includes Defined Contribution and Deferred Compensation plans, plus up to a 9% employer contribution for eligible employees
• Tuition remission for employees, spouses/ domestic partners & dependents
• Tuition exchange for dependents at participating schools
• Gym reimbursement of $200 every 6 months for qualified employees
• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) and Commuter Benefits

Application Instructions

Qualified individuals please apply: https://www.on-ramps.com/jobs/3403