Chief Human Resources Officer

Michigan Technological University; Atlantic Mine (MI); On-site; USD 150,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

Michigan Technological University in Houghton, MI, invites applications for a Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO). This senior leader partners with University leadership to align HR practices with strategic objectives, focusing on talent acquisition, culture, performance management, training, and compensation/benefits.

The CHRO develops HR initiatives, ensures confidentiality, oversees budgets, and serves as a key liaison with federal and state agencies while guiding succession planning and

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in HR management or related field.
• 7+ years of HR experience with emphasis in recruitment, compensation, training, and employee relations.
• 5+ years of progressively responsible supervisory experience.
• PHR/SPHR certification preferred.

Responsibilities

• Plan and direct HR programs aligned to university goals.
• Lead talent acquisition, workforce planning and succession planning.
• Ensure compliance with federal and state HR regulations.
• Oversee compensation, benefits, payroll, and HR policies.
• Provide leadership development and training initiatives.

Skills

Strategic leadership

HR analytics

Staff development

Change management

Education

Bachelor’s degree in HR management or related field

Tools

HRIS systems

Payroll systems

Job description

Michigan Technological University is an R1 technological researchuniversity founded in 1885 in Houghton. Our rural campus issituated just miles from Lake Superior in Michigan's scenic UpperPeninsula and is home to nearly 7,500 students from more than 60countries around the world. Consistently ranked among the bestuniversities in the country for return on investment, Michigan’sflagship technological university offers more than 185 undergraduate and graduate degree programs. Researchfocus areas include defense, health, energy, automotive,environment, and aerospace.

The area’s waters, forests, and snowfall support year-roundrecreation, including skiing, snowboarding, hiking, biking, andpaddling. The University is an integral part of the region,supported by a friendly and welcoming community that takes pride inbeing a true college town. We embrace our size, climate, sense ofadventure, and originality.

Summary

The Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO) position at MichiganTechnological University is a remarkable opportunity for aresults-driven leader ready to act as a key thought partner andtrusted advisor for University leadership in aligning HumanResource practices with the overall business objectives andstrategic direction of the institution, specifically in the areasof talent acquisition and management, culture, performancemanagement, training and development, and compensation/benefits.This position reports directly to the Chief Financial Officer/VicePresident for Administration (CFO/VPA) and will providetransformational leadership and strategic direction to move theinstitution forward in alignment with the University’s legislativepurpose and strategic plan. The CHRO is responsible for employeeprograms, including employee relations, staff and leadershipdevelopment, benefits administration, compensation and payroll,implementation of personnel policies and procedures, recruitmentand orientation, Human Resources information systems, performancemanagement systems, compliance issues, and personnel records. Thisposition develops and manages the human resources annual budget andoversees the department’s staff.

The successful candidate will develop, review, recommend, andimplement human resources related strategic initiatives, includingappropriate policies and procedures. In addition, this leader willbe responsible for developing and maintaining a positive workingrelationship with all levels of staff, preserve a high degree ofconfidentiality, and demonstrate the utmost professionalism. TheCHRO must provide internal responsibility and leadership for theHuman Resources department, thereby assuring the effective andefficient operation of the department. They are expected topositively promote the University internally and externally.

Responsibilities and Essential Duties

1. 1. Plan, organize, and direct work of the Human Resourcesdepartment, providing transformational leadership and strategicdirection in alignment with the institution’s mission andvision.
2. 2. Plan, direct, implement, and monitor human resources programs,including recruiting, selection, orientation, classification,compensation, payroll, employee relations, affirmative action,training, career development, benefit administration, andorganizational development.
3. 3. Establish and conduct reviews and analysis of new tools andtechniques in the area of human resources management and makenecessary changes to improve their effectiveness as it relates tothe University.
4. 4. Foster an institutional environment that encourages teamwork,pride in employee roles and the institution, professional growth,and development in support of student learning and success.
5. 5. Supervise human resources staff.
6. 6. Serve as a strategic business partner, positively promoting andsupporting the work of the University’s academic and service goalsto the greater community.
7. 7. Serve as an internal consultant to University leadership anddepartmental heads on human resources matters.
8. 8. Administer and participate in performing job audits and writingjob descriptions, and conduct classification audits for possiblereclassification of positions.
9. 9. Administer, participate in, and have overall responsibility forannual salary surveys and reporting to external entities asrequired.
10. 10. Supervise the maintenance, confidentiality, and legal retentionof personnel records, statistics and files.
11. 11. Develop, recommend, and administer human resources policies andprocedures.
12. 12. Direct, develop, administer, and interpret the University’scompensation and benefits plans.
13. 13. Oversee accuracy of information regarding contract amounts andcalculations, and hourly amounts calculations, and hourlyamounts.
14. 14. Assist auditors as required with human resources inquiries andannual year-end audit.
15. 15. Direct and supervise the recruitment/hiring process includingrecruitment, selection, job offer, placement, andorientation.
16. 16. Supervise human resources practices to ensure compliance withstandards of good practice and procedure.
17. 17. Act as the University Compliance Officer for worker’scompensation, and immigration related laws; direct, develop, andmonitor supporting policies and procedures; act as the University’sliaison in contacts with federal and state complianceagencies.
18. 18. Serve as the lead member of the negotiation team duringcollective bargaining contract negotiations promoting effectivelabor/management relations.
19. 19. Supervise and/or participate in the conduct of needs analysesfor employee training and the development, presentation, andevaluation of resulting training programs.
20. 20. Direct and coordinate the employee grievance process.
21. 21. Participate on key committees as human resources advisor.
22. 22. Ensure employee development on diversity, inclusive climate,respectful learning, and working environment issues.
23. 23. Assess staffing needs that may arise as well as createlong-term goals and strategies to manage those gaps.
24. 24. Identify effective succession planning strategies for theUniversity.
25. 25. Assure the effective and efficient operation of the departmentand demonstrate these positive results and perceptions throughcustomer service metrics tracked annually.
26. 26. Commit to learning about continuous improvement strategies andapplying them to everyday work. Actively engage in Universitycontinuous improvement initiatives.
27. 27. Apply safety-related knowledge, skills, and practices toeveryday work.

Required Education, Certifications, Licensures

Bachelor’s degree in human resources management or relatedfield

Required Experience

• Seven (7) years of human resources experience with an emphasis inthe areas of recruitment, selection, classification, compensation,training, organizational development and employee relations, andbenefits administration.
• Five (5) years of progressively responsible supervisoryexperience.

Desirable Education and/or Experience

• Master’s degree in human resources management or relatedfield.
• Experience in a higher education setting and/or instructionalexperience.
• Demonstrated success in progressively responsible supervisoryexperience.
• Experience in the design and implementation of a comprehensivehuman resources service system.
• Demonstrated skill in transformational leadership within a humanresources department.
• PHR/SPHR certification preferred.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and/or Abilities

• Strategic mindset with the ability to execute.
• Demonstrated experience leading a team of human resourcesprofessionals and working with diverse stakeholders.
• Collaborative and influential, including developing relationshipseasily and sees that as an essential way of working.
• Experienced with technology, sophisticated in the use of data,knowledgeable about process redesign, and change managementexperience.
• Financial insight required to develop costing analyses for plansbeing considered.
• Demonstrated knowledge of federal and state legislation andregulations governing human resources functions, including the FairLabor Standards Act, Americans with Disabilities Act, Title IX,EEO, Workers' Compensation, COBRA, Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act,and the Family Medical Leave Act, etc.
• Results-oriented professional who can make a difference; anindividual who takes initiative, makes things happen, acceptsaccountability, has a "can do" attitude, and a strong sense ofurgency.
• Creative and flexible in attitude and style to adapt to newsituations in a rapidly changing, dynamic environment.
• Strong communication skills: oral, written, presentation, andinfluence, plus the ability to communicate across all levels of theorganization.
• Demonstrated knowledge of, and experience in, developing andimplementing innovative human resources management programs.
• Demonstrated knowledge of, and experience in, designing andimplementing workforce planning, human resources strategies,restructuring, process reengineering, and evaluationmethodologies.
• Demonstrated experience as a change agent by implementingorganization wide 3advancement.
• Skill in organizational development, human resources management,budget and resource planning, and execution.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively across culturalboundaries and work harmoniously with diverse groups of students,faculty, and staff.
• Demonstrated commitment to contribute to a safe workenvironment.

Desirable Knowledge, Skills, and/or Abilities

• Demonstrated success in, or potential future contributions to,working with persons with a wide variety of backgrounds andviewpoints.

Work Environment and/or Physical Demands

WORK ENVIRONMENT: The work environment characteristics describedhere are representative of those an employee encounters whileperforming the essential functions of this job. Reasonableaccommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilitiesto perform the essential functions.

The noise level in the work environment is usually low tomoderate.

Required Training and Other Conditions of Employment

Every employee at Michigan Technological University will receivethe following training courses:

• Employee Safety Overview
• Annual Data Security Training
• Anti-Harassment, Discrimination, Retaliation Training
• Annual Title IX Training

Additional training will be required by the department on aperiodic basis.

Background Check:

Offers of employment are contingent upon and not consideredfinalized until the required background check has been performedand the results received and assessed.

Full-Time Equivalent (FTE) % (1=100%)

1

FLSA Status

Exempt

Appointment Term

12 months

Pay Rate/Salary

The salary range for this position is $150,000 - $170,000. However,thefinal salary will depend on experience andqualifications.

Title of Position Supervisor

Chief Financial Officer & Vice President forAdministration

Posting Type

Internal & External

Dependent on Funding

No

Special Instructions to Applicants (if applicable)

Application review will begin September 23, 2026.

Other Conditions of Employment:

Please note that successful applicants are responsible for ensuringtheir eligibility to work in the United States (i.e. a citizen ornational of the United States, a lawful permanent resident, aforeign national authorized to work in the United States withoutthe need of an employer sponsorship) on or before the effectivedate of your appointment, and maintain eligibility withoutsponsorship throughout your appointment.

Michigan Technological University is an Equal OpportunityEducational Institution/Equal Opportunity Employer that providesequal opportunity for all, including protected veterans andindividuals with disabilities.

The AnnualSecurity and Fire Safety Report contains current campus safetyand disciplinary policies, crime statistics for the previous 3calendar years, and on-campus student housing fire safety policiesand fire statistics for the previous 3 calendar years. MichiganTech will provide a paper copy upon request; please contact theMichigan Tech Public Safety.

In compliance with the federal Drug-Free Schools andCommunities Act (DFSCA) and its implementing regulations (34 CFRPart 86), Michigan Tech is committed to maintaining a drugfreecampus environment and actively promoting the health and safety ofits community. Find ournotice that outlines the University's policies, legalsanctions, health risks, and available support resources related tothe unlawful possession, use, and distribution of illicit drugs andalcohol.

Advertised:

09 Sep 2026 Eastern Daylight Time