Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO)

Socket.dev; Aiken (SC); On-site; USD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Highly competitive Medical, Dental, &

Disability (company paid)

Life Insurance 1X salary (company paid

AD&D 1x salary (company paid)

Savings & Investment plan

Company match 50¢/$ up to 8%

Contributory Life Insurance up to 5x

Contributory AD&D (employee, spouse, o

Paid Time Off

Employee Assistance Plan

Relocation package

Job summary

Savannah River National Laboratory (SRNL) is seeking a Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO) to lead a strategic people agenda for a mission-driven, science-focused organization at the Savannah River Site in Aiken, SC. Reporting to the Laboratory Director, the CHRO will shape talent, culture, and workforce planning across the lab through a high-performing HR team.

The ideal candidate brings senior HR leadership, strong advisory skills to executives, experience in complex, regulated environments,

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in HR, business, organizational leadership, or related field required.
• 15 years of progressive HR leadership experience across multiple HR disciplines.
• Experience advising and influencing senior executives on workforce matters.
• Deep knowledge of talent management, compensation and benefits, employee relations, organizational development, and workforce planning.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop a high-performing HR organization overseeing talent acquisition, compensation, benefits, employee relations, organizational development, workforce planning, HR systems, and related programs.
• Partner with laboratory leadership to align workforce strategies with business and mission priorities.
• Advise on organizational effectiveness, workforce planning, talent management, succession planning, and leadership development.
• Establish and maintain HR programs, policies, and practices supporting compliance, performance, engagement, and well-being.
• Lead change initiatives and continuous improvement to enhance workforce effectiveness and operational excellence.
• Advance HR analytics and technology to inform strategy and measure outcomes.

Skills

Executive leadership

Talent management

Workforce planning

Strategic advisory

Stakeholder management

Education

Bachelor's degree in HR / related field

Advanced degree

Professional HR certification

Job description

The Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO) serves as the senior HR executive for Savannah River National Laboratory (SRNL), providing strategic leadership for human resources and serving as a key member of the Laboratory Leadership Team. Reporting to the Laboratory Director, this role is responsible for inspiring, developing and executing an integrated people strategy that enables SRNL to attract, develop, engage, and retain the talent necessary to advance the laboratory's mission. This is a rare opportunity to join a growing laboratory at an inflection point — where the people strategy built by the right leader won't just support the mission, it will help define it. The ideal candidate will be energized by the opportunity to build something impactful in a dynamic, science-driven environment.

The CHRO will serve as a trusted advisor to senior leadership on workforce strategy, organizational effectiveness, culture, talent management, compensation and benefits, employee relations, and organizational change. The successful candidate will combine strategic perspective with a practical, results-oriented leadership style and a demonstrated ability to build high-performing teams and strong organizational partnerships.

Responsibilities

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and develop a high-performing HR organization responsible for talent acquisition, compensation, benefits, employee relations, organizational development, workforce planning, HR systems, and related people programs.
• Partner with laboratory leadership to align workforce strategies with business and mission priorities.
• Serve as the principal advisor on organizational effectiveness, workforce planning, talent management, succession planning, and leadership development.
• Establish and maintain effective HR programs, policies, and practices that support compliance, performance, engagement, and employee well-being.
• Lead organizational change initiatives and continuous improvement efforts that enhance workforce effectiveness and operational excellence.
• Advance HR technology, analytics, and process improvements to improve efficiency, transparency, and decision-making. Leverage workforce analytics and data-driven insights to inform strategy and measure outcomes.
• Foster an inclusive, accountable, and high-performance culture.
• Build strong relationships with DOE, Battelle, laboratory leaders, and external partners. Represent SRNL HR in external forums as appropriate.
• Drive innovation in HR practices, policies, and programs to support a dynamic, science-driven organization.
• Maintain strict confidentiality and discretion in managing sensitive personnel matters.
• Ensure compliance with all federal, state, and local employment laws and regulations, including adherence to BSRA prime contract.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business, Organizational Leadership, or a related field.
• 15 years of significant progressive HR leadership experience with responsibility across multiple HR disciplines.
• Demonstrated experience advising and influencing senior executives on workforce and organizational matters.
• Deep knowledge of talent management, compensation and benefits, employee relations, organizational development, and workforce planning.
• Proven ability to lead organizational change and develop high-performing teams.
• Excellent communication, collaboration, judgment, and leadership skills.
• Experience working in a complex, regulated, or federally sponsored environment.
• For ability to obtain and maintain a security clearance, US Citizenship is LegallyRequired

Preferred Qualifications

• Advanced degree in a relevant field.
• Professional HR certification.
• Experience in a DOE laboratory, federal research environment, or similarly complex technical/R&D organization.
• Familiarity with government contracting, DOE requirements, Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR), and/or Department of Energy Acquisition Regulations (DEAR) regulations

"We put science to work!"

Savannah River National Laboratory (SRNL) is a multi-program laboratory applying state of the art science and practical, high-value, cost-effective solutions to complex technical problems to protect the nation. Located at the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) Savannah River Site (SRS) in Aiken SC, the laboratory develops and deploys innovative technologies to address some of the nation's environmental, energy, and national security challenges.

Battelle Savannah River Alliance (BSRA) is constantly assessing trends to provide the best possible benefits to our workforce. We also negotiate cost effective premiums that will meet the needs of our evolving workforce.

Some of the Benefits offered to employees include:

Benefits vary based upon employment status

• Highly competitive Medical, Dental, and Vision options including HSA options with company provided seed
• Short- & Long-Term Disability (company paid)
• Life Insurance Non-Contributary 1X salary (company paid)
• AD&D Non-contributary 1x salary (company paid)
• Savings & Investment plan:
• Qualified Non-Elective Company Contribution of 5% each pay period with immediate vesting
• Company match 50 cents/dollar up to 8% (5 yrs. vesting in company match)
• Contributory Life Insurance up to 5x Salary with $1M Cap
• Contributory AD&D (employee, spouse and children)
• Paid Time Off
• Employee Assistance Plan
• SRNL offers a competitive relocation package to ease the transition process. Domestic and international relocation assistance is available for certain positions.

For more information about our benefits, working here, and living here, visit the "About" tab at www.srnl.doe.gov.

BSRA is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, or protected veteran status. BSRA is also committed to making our workplace accessible to individuals with disabilities and will provide reasonable accommodations, upon request, for individuals to participate in the application and hiring process. Please email us at [e-mail] with any questions regarding the hiring process or to request an accommodation.