Chief Human Resource Officer

Merchants Bank•Winona, MN

31d•Onsite

About The Position

Merchants Bank is a growing, employee-owned company, with a 150-year dedication to fulfilling the hopes and dreams of our community members and delivering outstanding customer service. We are seeking an experienced, strategic, and service‑driven Chief Human Resource Officer (CHRO) to serve as the gatekeeper of our culture and core values while championing a strong Servant Leadership philosophy. This position is located at our Winona, MN headquarters. This senior leader will guide talent and performance management, ensuring alignment with our strategic pillars and supporting our high‑performance aspirations. The CHRO will oversee the development, implementation, and continuous enhancement of Human Resources and Training strategies that promote organizational effectiveness, strengthen workforce engagement, and reinforce Merchants Bank’s reputation as an employer of choice. Responsibilities include leading culture‑driving programs; leadership initiatives; succession planning; directing all HR functions such as workforce planning, organizational development, performance management, talent development, compensation and benefits, employee relations, and compliance; and representing the Bank in regulatory, legal, and community settings. Job Summary: This is a strategic role with primary responsibility to serve as the gatekeeper of the Company’s culture and defined core value system, to include setting a strong Servant Leadership example for all stakeholders. In alignment with the Company’s strategic pillars, the CHRO is accountable for talent and performance management across the enterprise in a manner consistent with the Company’s high-performance aspirations as compared to industry peers. Strategic talent management areas of focus include clear performance expectations for all roles, continuous review of compensation and benefits required to attract different-making talent and formalization of the Company’s succession planning discipline. Will be expected to provide leadership, development and execution of Human Resource (HR) and Training strategies in alignment with the direction of the organization. Establish, implement and administer HR and Training systems, practices and approaches to support the achievement of the Company’s strategic goals, as well as maintaining/building Merchants’ reputation as an employer of choice.

Requirements

10 years of progressive HR leadership experience (preferably in financial services)
BS/BA degree
Strong strategic skills
Excellent verbal and written communication skills required
Must have a demonstrated ability to foster and support an engaged workforce by encouraging all employees to focus on strengths, celebrate successes and foster effective recognition.
Must be detail orientated, organized and able to manage multiple projects.
Critical/strategic thinking and problem-solving skills are vital
Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing with all levels of staff, management, Board members, and external stakeholders is required.
Must be highly-organized, detail-oriented and capable of performing in a fast-paced work environment; perform and manage self and others under the pressures of time constraints, multiple projects and specific deadlines.
Demonstrated ability to serve as a role model by exhibiting professionalism, promoting, and providing exceptional customer experiences (internal and external); be operationally sound in Human Resource/Training functions; and possess strong leadership and teamwork skills.
Demonstrated ability to provide and ensure clear and consistent communication in support of the strategic goals of the organization and in turn promote effective communication among all employees.
Demonstrated proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite or related software and ability to function within various business programs.
Regular and dependable attendance is an essential function of the job.
Ability to perform other duties as required by business needs.
Ability to complete compliance and product knowledge assignments in a timely manner.

Nice To Haves

MBA or MA/MS in human resources or related field preferred.
SHRM or PHR certification is desired.

Responsibilities

Leading culture‑driving programs
Leadership initiatives
Succession planning
Directing all HR functions such as workforce planning, organizational development, performance management, talent development, compensation and benefits, employee relations, and compliance
Representing the Bank in regulatory, legal, and community settings
Actively participates as a member of the executive team in developing business strategy and implementing strategic initiatives to enhance organizational effectiveness for ongoing earned independence and long-term relevance.
Proactively works to identify industry best practices in areas of talent management and workforce engagement to ensure Company is well-positioned to attract and retain difference-making talent capable of differentiating Merchants in a competitive environment.
Provides leadership and deploys team resources to support programs designed to drive culture consistency throughout the enterprise including, but not limited to, recruitment, new employee onboarding programs, employee engagement assessments, and training priorities as defined in the Company’s strategic plan and/or annual business plan.
Promotes workplace engagement, growth and development by providing and supporting opportunities for education, mentoring, coaching and training; provides the tools, knowledge and cross training opportunities as necessary for individuals and in alignment with the needs of the business.
Serves on and provides leadership to various management committees including, but not limited to Executive Leadership Team (Ex-Officio), Strategic Planning Team, Employee Retirement Benefit Plan Committee, Enterprise Risk Management Committee, and Compensation/Personnel Committee of the Board of Directors (Ex-Officio).
Promotes the ongoing interest of the Bank whenever and wherever possible by participating and providing leadership in community and civic activities – representing the Bank and our commitment to community.
Establishes, directs and manages all Human Resource and Training functions that effectively communicate and support the mission and core values of the organization – with particular focus in the key areas:
Workforce planning (budgeting, recruitment, screening and selection functions)
Organizational development and design
Performance management (performance review, areas of focus, performance measurement and corrective action)
Talent management and development planning for identified difference-makers throughout the enterprise, to include formalized succession planning discipline for all critical roles.
Employee training and development functions (education, compliance and employee development functions) that are frequently reviewed and modernized to keep pace with rapidly changing workforce and customer expectations and behaviors
Compensation and benefit programs and functions
Payroll administration
Affirmative action programming and planning
Employee relations functions
Policy and procedure development and implementation
Oversees the compliance with legal requirements and government reporting regulations affecting Human Resource/Training functions (i.e. EEO, Affirmative Action, FLSA, Workers’ Compensation, Unemployment Insurance, ERISA, etc.), and directs the preparation of information requested or required for compliance.
Monitors and actively manages the potential risk to the Bank associated with regulation and serves as primary contact with legal counsel and government agencies on Human Resource related matters.
Manages Human Resource legal issues such as allegations, sexual harassment, workplace harassment, discrimination, retaliation, unemployment compensation claims, etc., and represents the organization in employment related hearings or inquiries.
Stays abreast of regulatory compliance and developments relative to the Human Resource/Training functions and/or other areas as assigned and apprise staff of same.
Recommends and implements procedural changes as needed to support prescribed requirements.
Must have thorough knowledge of and comply with all applicable laws and regulations, as set forth in the Bank’s policies, procedures, and programs.
Researches, evaluates, selects and manages relationships with Human Resource vendors, consultants, attorneys, and other applicable outside resources.
Reviews, negotiates and selects benefit plans in alignment with employee attraction/retention objectives in balance with business needs & budget considerations; serves as Plan Administrator for all selected plans.
Develops and monitors the annual Human Resource/Training budgets.
Prepares annual business plans & identifies work priorities for Human Resource and Training Departments.