Chief People Officer

University of the Pacific•Stockton, CA

About The Position

About the Role: The 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 (HR) function in service to the University of the Pacific’s officers, faculty, and staff across 3 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 HR function that focuses on Talent Acquisition and Development, and includes Benefits & Compensation, Employee Education and Development, Human Resources Information Systems ( HRIS ), Employee & Labor Relations, Records Management, and Recruitment, with approximately 20 full-time employees that deliver well-conceived and well-designed services to the university’s employees. The University’s structure and academic culture require the CPO to lead through a combination of influence, strong partnering, business acumen, and 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 orientated HR function characterized by functional and operational excellence. 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. Drive operational, strategic, and financial results. Work closely with the University of the Pacific’s administration to align HR, financial, legal and operational systems for optimal efficiency.

Requirements

Bachelor’s Degree.
Ten plus (10+) years of experience in human resources management.

Nice To Haves

Experience in higher education, with a specific preference for experience at University of the Pacific.
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 employment and labor laws and working knowledge of state and federal regulations governing California state employee programs, including equal opportunity enforcing regulations and laws.
Demonstrated skill and ability to create a shared vision for the HR 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 an HR 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.
Experience and sensitivity in working with people of diverse backgrounds and cultures.
Demonstrated experience in advancing social justice, equity, and inclusion in a university setting.
Ability to engage and integrate culturally responsive practices and knowledge in their work.

Responsibilities

Support the University of the Pacific’s research and teaching mission and aspirations for growth by delivering world-class HR support and services across all three campuses.
Play a leadership role in the University’s support for a fair employment environment where diversity and respect for others are core values.
Continue to develop a world-class HR team to create an environment in which HR professionals partner with the University as expert advisors to business, administrative, and academic units and deliver value to clients through consulting, coaching, creative problem solving, proactive interventions, and service excellence.
Develop innovative and cost-effective HR policies and programs that are focused on recruiting and retaining the best employees and that encourage the development and retention of the best talent.
Lead the management and evolution of the employee benefits programs.
Develop, maintain, and implement value-driven and legally compliant HR policies (Staff Handbook), as well as education and training programs to support productive work environments.
Oversee and support HR team members to engage in fair, impartial and expeditious HR investigations.
Liaise with the Provost, Academic Deans, Title IX Office, and Office of the General Counsel on complex investigations.
Fully leverage technology, including AI, in the design and delivery of services and in the generation of management and data reporting.
Work to develop operationally effective HR systems that link directly to and clearly with the University’s financial systems and objectives.
Create client service-centric avenues for communication that disseminate information in a timely, accessible, and user-friendly way.
Provide information to support University leadership and the University Board of Regents’ Executive Committee and other Regent committees, as necessary in addressing staff and faculty compensation, benefits, and other employment issues.
Oversee the negotiation and implementation of collective bargaining contracts with unions and bargaining units.