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Instant HR Solutions is working with a private-equity backed education organization seeking a Chief People Officer.  This is a fantastic opportunity to join a mission-driven organization that is poised for growth with backing from premier financial partners.  This is a fully remote role with some travel required.  East Coast or Central time zone location preferred.  The ideal candidate will have a desire to work with an organization that has a passion for having an impact and improving student outcomes, while achieving financial success and results for the business. This is a player/coach role that will require creating strategy while rolling up your sleeves to execute on that strategy.  Experience in a private-equity backed environment with an understanding of the pace, rigor and importance of value creation highly preferred.

Role and Responsibilities 

We seek an experienced, inspiring, and mission-driven People leader to develop and implement a People strategy that will help fuel our next phase of growth and create an environment where our team can thrive. The Chief People Officer will lead the People team in designing, delivering, and implementing programs in talent acquisition and optimization, employee engagement and culture, diversity and inclusion, benefits, compensation, wellness, performance management, regulatory compliance, succession planning, and organizational design. This is an exceptional opportunity to design and lead strategies to attract, retain, and develop top talent for our organization. The ideal candidate will be a confident, seasoned leader with extensive experience building and leading a People function in a growing company.  The role requires the ability and willingness to complete daily responsibilities in a proactive and collaborative way, supporting our leadership team and employees. This is a highly visible role within the organization and with the Board, and we seek a confident, service oriented leader who understands we are a people-driven business and our culture and mission are critical to our success.

This position will report to the Chief Executive Officer.

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Develop and implement a comprehensive People strategy to support the business. Serve as a key member of the Executive team in providing input to the CEO, Board, and peers regarding the People and HR implications of all major business decisions, as well as overall strategic objectives related to the continued growth of the organization.
• Build, lead, and serve as a mentor to the People team in designing and delivering programs that support the People strategy, the business, and their personal career development.
• Build cohesion across the organization and lead the creation of a culture that attracts, motivates, grows, and retains top talent.
• Be a visible, present, and engaged leader who proactively engages with leaders across the organization, builds relationships, engenders confidence, and becomes a trusted advisor who is sought out to provide guidance before problems arise.
• Provide leadership and guidance to the People team in partnering with business leaders to develop and drive talent outcomes and implement business and people strategies across all areas of human resources, including performance management, employee relations, organizational design, career development, employee engagement, and retention. Establish key performance indicators for the organization’s talent management initiatives and assess the organization’s practices based on these metrics.
• Lead the development and implementation of competitive compensation, benefits, employee incentives, and recognition programs. 
• Lead the Talent Acquisition team in defining, creating, and executing a communications and employer branding strategy for recruitment, and defining, creating, and executing on the candidate experience from initial contact through onboarding.  Establish processes and protocols for recruiting, interviewing, hiring and onboarding across the organization.  
• Provide leadership and guidance in defining and creating strategies for our organizational culture goals and helping ensure our organization is an equitable and inclusive workplace where all employees feel valued and can thrive.
• Lead HR diligence, employee engagement, communication, change management, and integration related to mergers and acquisitions.
• Identify areas for operational improvement and efficiency within the HR function, and lead the design and implementation of corrective measures to enhance processes, reporting, and policies.
• Develop and administer various programs to meet employee needs and drive high levels of employee engagement that foster an environment that encourages open and productive interactions. 
• Communicate and serve as a resource for managers and employees at all levels for HR programs, practices, and processes.
• Advise management and employees on interpreting and applying company policies and procedures. Stay current with changes in relevant global employment law and emerging trends, and work with the Legal team to ensure compliance with all legal and regulatory requirements. 
• Ensure operational excellence and effective HR service delivery, including compliance, payroll administration and employee relations.

Professional Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Human Resources or a business-related field.  An advanced degree and SPHR or SHRM-SCP certification are preferred.
• 15+ years of experience as an HR executive working within high-growth, constantly evolving environments; experience in an education-related sector is strongly preferred. 
• Breadth of experience as a true HR generalist with broad-based leadership experience across the HR function, including talent acquisition and development, employee engagement and culture, diversity and inclusion, benefits, compensation, wellness, performance management, regulatory compliance, succession planning, and organizational design.
• Previous experience in a mission-driven organization and ability to focus on both achieving business financial targets and making an impact.
• Previous experience in a private equity-backed environment is preferred, along with an understanding of the nuance, pace, and metrics required for an organization this size that is positioning itself for an attractive exit.
• Experience leading the People function with a dispersed workforce across the US in multiple locations, and with remote employees required.
• Hands-on leader that can operate both as an executive and create leverage for others while being comfortable flexing between strategic and tactical altitudes. 
• Experience developing and fostering a performance-driven culture. 
• Familiarity and success with integration activities relating to mergers and acquisitions, as well as leading or supporting due diligence. Previous experience with a company sale/exit is highly preferred.
• Demonstrable track record of ideating, constructing, and implementing best-in-class people programs that drive measurable success and contribute to business growth.
• Highly skilled at project management; proven success delivering against multiple work streams.
• Strong analytical skills with high comfort developing and assessing data to develop facts and insights. 
• Mature and kind leadership style, encouraging team members and ensuring retention of newly hired and highly qualified team members. 
• Proven experience leading diversity efforts within organizations and a commitment to equitable and inclusive practices.
• Extensive knowledge of HR practices and principles, and applicable labor, pay, and benefits laws/regulations. 

Personal Characteristics 

• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to develop trust, confidence, and respect with all levels of the organization.
• Comfortable with ambiguity and the ability to shift quickly between tasks.
• Low ego but confident leader who is willing to speak their mind while continuing to focus on what is best for the organization.
• ​​Strong influencing, facilitation, and presentation skills. 
• Team player who enjoys collaborating with others and building, creating, and executing new strategies.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, dynamic environment and adjust individual approach and delivery to fit specific situations.
• Trustworthy in managing sensitive situations and information; discreet, professional, with excellent judgment.
• Proactive and driven self-starter with a strong work ethic, sense of urgency, exceptional organizational skills, and ability to work autonomously while setting priorities to lead others in achieving results. 
• Always willing to learn something new, not rigid in beliefs or expectations.
• Have a demonstrated ability to understand, accept, and engage with people of diverse backgrounds.
• Builder mindset, comfortable rolling up their sleeves while also being able to act as a strategic, business-focused partner to the leaders across the business.

What we Offer

Attractive compensation package includes base salary in the range of $150-200k plus annual bonus of $30-50k

This position will also receive an equity grant at early stage valuation that has potential to grow substantially with an attractive exit 

Benefits include:

• Medical - choice of 3 plans through Blue Cross Blue Shield
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Life insurance, Employee Assistance Program, Financial Wellness Program
• Dental, Vision, Disability, Critical Illness, Supplemental Life, Accident, Hospital Indemnity
• 401k match up to 4%
• Flexible Paid Time Off policy plus 10-12 company paid holidays
• Professional certification reimbursement, employee referral bonuses, parental leave, and more

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to providing equal opportunities to all qualified applicants and employees without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity, and sexual orientation), national origin, age, disability, or genetic information.

No recruiters or agencies please.

 Candidates must be based in the United States and must be legally authorized to work in the U.S. without the need for current or future sponsorship.