Chief Human Resources Officer

The New York City Employees’ Retirement System (NYCERS) was founded by the New York State Legislature in 1920 with 13,331 members. Today, NYCERS has grown into one of the largest municipal public employee retirement systems in the United States with more than 430,000 active/vested members, retirees and beneficiaries. NYCERS is a defined benefit retirement plan and a cost‑sharing, multiple employer public employee retirement system. We are looking for individuals with passion, dedication and commitment to excellence and innovation who are interested in adding to our dynamic and collaborative work environment. Working for the City of New York, you will receive excellent benefits, including healthcare, vision benefits, dental benefits, as well as the opportunity to participate in the City’s retirement plan. NYCERS offers a hybrid work environment with partial onsite work and partial telework.

About the Organization

We are an organization at an exciting moment of transformation and growth. With a renewed focus on operational excellence, innovation, and people‑centered leadership, we are strengthening the foundation that supports our workforce and the communities we serve. The CHRO will build a workplace where every employee feels valued, empowered, and inspired to contribute their best because we believe that when people thrive, the organization thrives. As we modernize our systems, invest in leadership development, and deepen our commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging, we are seeking an exceptional Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO) to help lead the next chapter of our organizational evolution. This is a unique opportunity to shape strategy, elevate the employee experience, and drive meaningful cultural impact across all levels of the organization.

Position Overview

The Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO) will serve as the senior strategic leader overseeing all aspects of Human Resources. Reports directly to the ED and serves as a member of the Executive Leadership Team and Strategic Governance Council, the CHRO will partner with organizational leaders to design and implement forward‑thinking HR strategies that support a high‑performing, mission‑aligned, and people‑focused organization. The ideal candidate is a seasoned HR executive who brings vision, operational discipline, and the ability to lead with empathy, innovation, and integrity. The CHRO leads a team of 18 professionals, including Human Resources and Learning & Development staff.

Why This Role Matters

Joining NYCERS as CHRO means becoming a key architect of the organization’s future. This is an opportunity to build a modern HR organization, influence executive decision‑making, shape organizational culture, and leave a lasting legacy by developing the next generation of public service leaders. You will shape how we support, develop, and empower our employees, ensuring that we continue to attract exceptional talent and cultivate a workplace where every employee can grow and succeed. Your leadership will have a lasting impact on the organization, our workforce, and the members, retirees, and beneficiaries we have the privilege to serve.

Key Responsibilities

• Execute a comprehensive HR People strategy aligned with the organization’s long‑term goals
• Serve as the organization's senior HR executive with authority over HR strategy, policy development, and organizational workforce planning
• Oversee HR operations including Talent Acquisition, Labor Relations, Employee and Labor Engagement, Benefits, Compensation, HR Technology, Learning & Development, Performance Management and HR Compliance
• Foster a culture of trust, accountability, collaboration, and employee engagement
• Oversee enterprise‑wide leadership development, talent management initiatives to strengthen succession planning
• Partner with executives to anticipate workforce needs and drive organizational change
• Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local employment laws and labor contracts
• Partner with DEIB Committee to champion diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging efforts across the organization
• Modernize HR systems, processes, and data reporting to improve organizational transparency and efficiency
• Serve as a trusted advisor to executive and division leadership, managers, and employees
• Lead and mentor the HR team, ensuring professional growth and operational excellence

Preferred Skills and Experience

• Master’s degree in Human Resources, Organizational Development, Business Administration, Public Administration, or a related field
• 10+ years of progressively responsible HR leadership experience, including at least 5 years at a senior or executive level
• Demonstrated expertise overseeing complex HR functions in a mid‑to‑large organization
• Experience leading HR transformation, organizational development, or large‑scale change initiatives
• Deep knowledge of employment rules and regulations, labor relations, HR compliance, and workforce policies
• Proven success building and leading high‑performing teams
• Strong skills in strategy development, communication, and executive‑level influence
• Ability to establish trust and credibility with internal and external stakeholders
• Experience in government, public sector, nonprofit, or unionized environments
• Track record implementing modern HR technology or analytics solutions
• Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging
• Experience supporting large, distributed, or hybrid workforces
• Background in improving employee engagement and workplace culture
• SHRM‑SCP, SPHR, or equivalent senior HR certification

Executive Competencies

• Strategic thinker
• Collaborative leader
• Trusted advisor
• Courageous decision‑maker
• Exceptional communicator
• Change leader
• High emotional intelligence

Minimum Qualification Requirements

1. A master's degree from an accredited college in economics, finance, accounting, business or public administration, auditing, statistics, mathematics, actuarial science, data analysis, information technology, information security, communications, project management, management science, operations research, organizational behavior, industrial psychology, psychology, sociology, human resources, political science, urban studies, public relations, or a related field, or a juris doctor degree from an accredited law school, and four years of satisfactory full‑time experience implementing the provisions of a retirement plan, or four years of satisfactory full‑time experience in a related field that would support the work of implementing the provisions of a retirement plan. 18 months of this experience must have been in an executive, managerial, administrative, or supervisory capacity. Supervision must have included supervising staff performing professional work in the areas described above; or
2. A baccalaureate degree from an accredited college and five years of professional experience in the areas described in "1" above, including the 18 months of executive, managerial, administrative, or supervisory experience, as described in "1" above.
3. A satisfactory equivalent combination of education and experience. However, all candidates must possess at least 18 months of executive, managerial, administrative, or supervisory experience, as described in "1" above and have high school graduation or evidence of having passed an examination for a high school equivalency diploma.

Note: This position is open to qualified persons with a disability who are eligible for the 55‑a Program. Please indicate on your resume or cover letter if you would like to be considered for the position under the 55‑a Program.

Note: The City of New York is an inclusive equal opportunity employer committed to recruiting and retaining a diverse workforce and providing a work environment that is free from discrimination and harassment based upon any legally protected status or protected characteristic, including but not limited to an individual's sex, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, veteran status, gender identity, or pregnancy.

New York City residency is required

NYCERS is an equal opportunity employer

Internal candidates must have been rated satisfactory or better on their last annual evaluation.

To apply for consideration, please forward a cover letter indicating posting number 00926‑0041 and a copy of a current resume to: cityjobs.nyc.gov and search for Job ID#: 785337