Chief Human Resources Officer

Chief Human Resources Officer 

Founded by Detroit philanthropists George and Ellen Booth in 1904, Cranbrook Educational Community is one of the world’s leading centers of education, science, and art. Comprised of a graduate Academy of Art, contemporary Art Museum, Center for Collections and Research, House and Gardens, Institute of Science, and more than 1,600 students attending our Pre-K through 12 independent college preparatory Schools, Cranbrook welcomes thousands of visitors and students to its campus each year. Critics have called Cranbrook “the most enchanted and enchanting setting in America” and in 1989 it was designated a National Historic Landmark. The campus is located in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, about 20 miles north of downtown Detroit. For more, please visit our website: www.cranbrook.edu.

The Chief Human Resources Officer will serve as a strategic partner to the senior leadership team, leading the development and implementation of dynamic HR initiatives that support the mission and objectives of Cranbrook. Reporting to the Chief Operating Officer, this role demands a visionary leader who can champion a positive organizational culture, foster staff development, and drive excellence in HR.

Key Responsibilities:

1.  Strategic Leadership:

• Develop and execute the HR strategy in alignment with Cranbrook’s strategic plan.
• Advise the leadership team on organizational development and talent management strategies.

2.  Organizational Culture and Employee Engagement:

• Foster a culture that promotes Cranbrook’s values and employee engagement.
• Implement programs and policies that enhance staff morale and organizational effectiveness. 
• Employee engagement and staff morale programs might include, but are not limited to, recognition & reward programs, team building activities, work-life balance initiatives, employee surveys and feedback loops, etc.

3.  Talent Management and Succession Planning:

• Lead initiatives in talent acquisition, mentorship initiatives & leadership training, retention, and succession planning.
• Monitor and analyze industry trends and workforce demographics to anticipate talent needs and develop proactive strategies.
• Collaborate with programmatic and operational leaders to ensure optimal staffing levels and skill alignment.

4.  Compensation and Benefits:

• Oversee the design and implementation of competitive compensation and benefits programs, utilizing benchmarks and national/regional surveys to inform strategies.
• Ensure that compensation policies, while fiscally responsible, attract and retain top talent.
  

5.  Employee Relations and Labor Negotiations:

• Represent Cranbrook in labor negotiations and serve as a liaison with legal counsel on all HR-related matters.
• Mediate employee disputes and provide solutions that uphold Cranbrook’s values and a positive workplace culture.
• Oversee the administration of HR practices, including employee discipline, investigations, and occupational health and safety.
  

6.  Compliance and Risk Management:

• Ensure compliance with all relevant employment laws and regulations and communicate changes in employment law to the leadership team. 
• Mitigate HR-related risks through proactive policy development and implementation.
  

7.  Performance Management and Development:

• Oversee Performance Management System: Design and implement a performance management framework that aligns employee goals with organizational objectives and supports staff growth and accountability. 
• Evaluate and Adjust Performance Metrics: Regularly review and update performance metrics and evaluation methods to ensure they are fair, relevant, and aligned with business goals.
• Create Development Plans: Collaborate with leaders to design personalized employee development plans that outline objectives, resources, and timelines for performance improvement and growth.
• Oversee professional training and development initiatives, ensuring that development opportunities are available and tailored to staff needs.
  

8.  HR Operations and Technology:

• Oversee HR operations and leverage technology to streamline processes and improve efficiencies.
• Leverage technology to manage HR metrics and data analysis that will inform decision-making.
  

9.  Leadership and HR Team Development:

• Lead and mentor the HR team, fostering a collaborative and high-performance environment.
• Encourage innovative HR solutions that align with Cranbrook's goals and values.