Chief Human Resources Officer

Summary

Reporting to the President/Chief Executive Officer (CEO), the Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO) serves as a member of the Executive Leadership Team (ELT) and is primarily responsible for developing and executing Human Resources (HR) strategy in support of the overall strategic plan and direction of Epworth, specifically in the areas of colleague engagement, succession planning, recruitment and retention, talent management, performance evaluation, training and development, HR compliance, and compensation and benefits (including Epworth’s self-insured health plan). The CHRO provides strategic leadership by articulating HR needs and plans to ELT and the Board of Directors as well as establishing annual goals and metrics to assess agency wide performance in key HR areas.

Primary Relationships

The CHRO reports to the CEO and serves as a member of the ELT. Within Epworth, the CHRO has primary working relationships with the CEO, ELT, and program leaders and directly supervises the HR teams in overseeing the HR strategy and ensuring the HR department’s effective functioning. Outside Epworth, the CHRO works with the Board of Directors, volunteers, donors, and funding sources as well as oversees vendors and consultants contracted to work directly on HR related initiatives.

Primary Responsibilities

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to the following:

HR Strategy and Operations:

• Develop a comprehensive HR strategy that corresponds with the agency’s strategic plan and annual goals to strengthen and sustain Epworth, including HR-related strategic objectives and quantifiable goals/metrics; a succession plan with development goals for all managers and above throughout the agency; strategic recruiting and retention plans to meet the human capital needs of strategic goals and daily operations; and compensation and benefits plans that are competitive and cost-effective.

• Establish and implement HR processes that effectively communicate and support Epworth’s mission, vision, and values as well as the achievement of the overall strategic plan and annual goals of the agency.
• Function as a strategic business partner to ELT and program/department leaders regarding key organizational and management issues.

• Provide overall leadership and guidance to the HR function by overseeing talent acquisition, career development, succession planning, retention, training, leadership development, compensation, and benefits.

Administration:

• Train, develop, lead, mentor, and evaluate the HR team.

• Oversee the preparation and approval of all HR reporting materials and metrics for leadership, funding organizations, regulatory bodies, and the board.
• Track, monitor, and report regularly on the progress of the HR department against annual work plan/calendar and departmental goals and metrics.
• Coordinate all HR audit and compliance activities, including United Way, Children’s Division, St. Louis County Children’s Service Fund, and the Joint Commission.
• Review all formal HR-related procedures, processes, and administration, recommending improvements to the systems in place and managing the systems going forward.
• Manage relationships with benefits vendors as well as outside counsel related to HR legal issues.

Board Relations:

• Serve as the primary liaison to any board committee dealing primarily with HR matters.

• Engage the board around issues, trends, and changes related to workforce and labor issues.

• Function as a resource to the board on all matters related to HR strategy and operations.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree required with an emphasis in Human Resources or related field.
• 5-10 years of executive-level (vice-president or above) HR experience
• SHRM Senior Certified Professional (SHRM-SCP) or SHRM Certified Professional (SHRM-CP) certification preferred.

Job Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Thorough knowledge of employment-related laws and regulations.
• A high degree of proficiency in HR management software and spreadsheet applications as well as Microsoft Office 365 applications.
• Strong organizational, leadership, and mentoring skills with exceptional attention to detail and the ability to prioritize and focus on key objectives while managing multiple tasks/projects simultaneously.
• Excellent communication skills, both written and oral, as well as the ability to influence and engage a wide range of stakeholders and build long-term relationships.

• Ability to develop manual and automated systems to maximize proficiency at a minimum cost.

• Flexible and adaptable style; a leader who can positively impact both strategic and tactical initiatives.
• Ability to work independently without close oversight, but also a team player who will productively engage with others at varying levels of seniority within and outside Epworth.
• High energy and passion for Epworth’s mission, vision, and values.
• A professional and resourceful style with a willingness to step in where needed.

Physical Requirements

• The physical requirements of this job include sitting, standing, walking, and climbing stairs on a regular basis, lifting up to 25lbs, and pulling and/or pushing on occasion.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Epworth is an EEO/AA employer. Consistent with this policy, Epworth embraces diversity and welcomes colleagues and applicants of all backgrounds. Our goal is to empower every day and build a community that is inclusive, drawing upon the strengths of the diversity of our colleagues to exceed the expectations of our clients.

About Epworth

Founded in 1864, Epworth is a multiservice agency that seeks to empower youth who have experienced trauma to realize their unique potential by meeting essential needs, cultivating resiliency, and building community. Thousands of youth and families turn to Epworth each year for a full range of services including: therapeutic foster care and case management; residential and intensive treatment; individual/family therapy and comprehensive psychological testing; emergency shelter and longer-term housing services; life skills and vocational training; as well as crisis care and outreach through the Drop-In Center, food pantry, and 24-hour crisis help-line. Epworth is headquartered at 110 N. Elm Ave. in Webster Groves, Missouri and has locations in Normandy and South St. Louis City.

Our Mission
Empowering youth to realize their unique potential by meeting essential needs, cultivating resiliency, and building community.

Our Vision
A world in which every youth experiences life in all its fullness.

Our Values

Respect: We recognize the inherent worth and promote the well-being of every client and colleague.

Excellence: We offer evidence-based, high-quality programming and provide exceptional care and service.

Community: We cultivate a sense of belonging and solidarity among colleagues and advocate for racial equality and social justice throughout our communities.