Chief People Officer

University of the Pacific is seeking a dynamic executive to serve as Chief People Officer (CPO) and serve as a steward of the university’s mission. The CPO will provide strategic leadership for the human resources function in service to the university’s administrators, faculty and staff across its three campuses, acting at all times as the steward of employee resources in service to the university’s mission. The CPO will build and lead a world-class human resources function that focuses on talent acquisition and development and includes benefits and compensation, employee education and development, human resources information systems (HRIS), employee and labor relations, records management and recruitment, with approximately 20 full-time employees who deliver well-conceived and well-designed services to the university’s employees. The university’s structure and its academic culture require the CPO to lead through a combination of influence, strong partnering, business acumen and the demonstration of exceptional functional expertise. In this culture, he or she will require excellent communication skills, the ability to interact effectively with a wide range of constituents and the demonstrated ability to negotiate and advocate in a manner that advances the mission of the university. The CPO will lead a strategic, transparent and customer services-oriented human resources function characterized by functional and operational excellence. The ideal candidate will translate broad strategies into specific structures, plans and processes that support strategic priorities and implement them in a measured and focused manner that enhances organizational effectiveness. They also will drive operational, strategic and financial results, working closely with university leaders to align human resources, financial and operational systems for optimal efficiency. Qualifications Background in compensation, benefits, labor/union relations, HRIS and employee relations. Ability to interact comfortably with a wide range of university stakeholders and be effective at interacting with employees at all levels. Ability to develop excellent rapport with administration and faculty leaders, the leadership of the unions representing university staff, faculty, trustees, university officers and third-party vendors, including health and welfare insurance brokers and retirement plan investment managers. Track record of success in negotiation and advocating contracts and relationships that meet the mission of the university and the needs of faculty and staff. Understanding of an academic research environment and the relations between a central business function and the teaching and research mission of the university. Significant experience and success working in a large, complex, decentralized organization with diverse populations, including direct management experience. Strong understanding and the ability to navigate California labor law and working knowledge of regulations and laws governing California state employee programs, including equal opportunity enforcing regulations and laws. Demonstrated skill and ability to create a shared vision for the human resources function and lead and inspire staff to execute the organization’s commitment to the university and its diverse constituencies. Demonstrated record of being fully dedicated to internal clients and designing a human resources function that helps to develop and implement better people management practices. Proven ability to actively identify gaps and propose and implement changes necessary to cover risks.