Chief Human Resources Officer

Overview:

St. John Fisher University is an independent, liberal arts institution that provides a transformative education to approximately 3,800 undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral students each year. Across its five Schools, Fisher offers nearly 40 majors in the humanities, social sciences, natural sciences, business, education, and nursing; 11 pre-professional programs; and master’s and doctoral programs in business, nursing, education, pharmacy, and public health. The University’s residential campus boasts a robust living and learning community and a successful intercollegiate athletics program. Fisher is a community where all are welcome, regardless of religious or cultural background.

The University continues to honor its founders, the Congregation of St. Basil, by embracing their motto, “Teach Me Goodness, Discipline, and Knowledge.” We are located in Pittsford, N.Y., seven miles outside of the city of Rochester. The campus is situated on 164 park-like acres—a beautiful setting for a warm, friendly campus community.

Job Responsibilities:

Reporting to the President, the Chief Human Resources Officer ( CHRO ) serves as the strategic and operational leader responsible for advancing the University’s mission through effective human capital management. The CHRO oversees the development, implementation, and evaluation of HR programs and services that support faculty, staff, and administrators, ensuring alignment with institutional goals. As a key advisor to senior leadership, the CHRO fosters collaborative relationships across the University, strengthens HR’s role as a strategic partner, and promotes a positive and inclusive workplace culture. This role provides leadership and direction to the HR team, ensuring high-quality, responsive service delivery while proactively addressing organizational needs. The CHRO is accountable for ensuring consistent application of HR policies and compliance with employment laws and regulations, mitigating organizational risk. Additionally, the CHRO serves on the Senior Staff and represents Human Resources on university-wide committees partnering with key stakeholders, including the Title IX officer, to support a healthy, engaged campus environment.

Leadership and Strategy

• Provides leadership, direction, supervision, and oversight of HR operations and staff

• Ensures high-quality delivery of HR programs and services

• Anticipates and resolves operational issues and continuously improves processes

• Develops and manages the annual HR budget

Talent Management ·

• Develops and implements strategies aligned with university goals, including workforce planning and succession planning

• Partners with leadership to align staffing plans with budgeting and organizational needs

• Oversees recruitment, onboarding, and retention strategies to ensure consistency and effectiveness

Employee Development

• Establishes and directs the University’s training and development strategy

• Oversees implementation of development programs that strengthen leadership and workforce capability

• Partners with leadership to identify needs and design effective people solutions

Employee Relations

• Provides strategic leadership for employee and labor relations, including oversight of workplace investigations, conflict resolution, and guidance to leaders on personnel matters

• Designs and implements initiatives that enhance employee engagement, collaboration, and a positive campus culture

Performance Management

• Oversees the University’s performance management framework to ensure effectiveness, consistency, and equity across the organization

• Oversees the administration of performance management processes by ensuring leaders are equipped to provide ongoing feedback, coaching, and development, and to address performance concerns

• Leads the University’s progressive disciplinary process, ensuring that disciplinary actions are appropriate and in accordance with policy guidelines.

Policy and Process Development

• Ensures accuracy and effectiveness of HR policies, including the Employee Handbook

• Maintains compliance with all applicable federal and New York State regulations including but not limited to: Affordable Care Act ( ACA ), FLSA , ERISA , FMLA , NYSPFL , HIPPA , ADA , and COBRA .

• Leads process and system improvements to enhance efficiency and decision-making through technology and data

Total Rewards

• Oversees compensation and benefits strategy to ensure market competitiveness and internal equity

• Directs salary administration, classification, and benefits programs

• Ensures effective management of health, welfare, retirement, and wellness programs

Organization Communications and Change Management

• Leads HR communications and supports effective dissemination of employee information

• Drives process improvements and change initiatives to enhance HR services

• Assesses organizational readiness and supports implementation of strategic initiative

Education / Experience:

Required

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Higher Education Administration, or related field

• Minimum of 8 years of progressive HR leadership experience, including experience in a Senior Leadership role.

• Demonstrated expertise in employment law, regulatory compliance (federal and New York State), employee relations, and strategic HR planning.

• Financial expertise in budget management and vendor oversight

• Experience driving change management and process improvement initiatives

Preferred

• Master’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Higher Education Administration, or related field

• Experience working in Higher Education

• SHRM - SCP , SPHR , or equivalent professional industry certification.

• Familiarity with academic personnel processes and faculty affairs

Competencies / Skills:

• Effective Written and Verbal Communication

• Accountability

• Customer Service Orientation

• Collegiality

• Team Leadership

• Initiative

• Analytical and Conceptual Thinking

Supervision of Employees:

Responsible for overseeing the Human Resources Department, comprised of the following roles:

• Human Resources Assistant

• Analytics & Compensation Coordinator

• Talent Manager

• Sr. Human Resources Manager

Work Hours:

12 months, 35 hours per week

On Campus

EEO Statement:

It is the policy of St. John Fisher University to provide Equal Employment Opportunity to all employees and applicants for employment in accordance with the applicable federal, state, and local laws governing non-discrimination in employment in each locality in which the University has employees.

The University does not discriminate against applicants or employees in hiring, promotion, termination or the terms and conditions of employment on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, sex, perceived sex, gender identity, gender expression, the status of being transgender, sexual orientation, national origin, citizenship, age, disability, marital status, military status, veteran status, predisposing genetic, characteristics or genetic information, arrest or conviction record, status as a victim of domestic violence, or any other characteristic protected by law.

The Title IX Coordinator is the designated University official with primary responsibility for coordinating compliance with Title IX and related federal and state laws. The Title IX Coordinator, Meg Flaherty, Ph.D., can be reached by phone View phone number on click.appcast.io), email (View email address on click.appcast.io:View email address on click.appcast.io), in-person in Campus Center 209, or outside of business hours by contacting the Office of Safety and Security View phone number on click.appcast.io).