Career Center

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.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related field; Master’s degree preferred.
• At least 10 years of progressive HR experience, with significant leadership experience in the education or non-profit sector preferred.
• Strong strategic thinking, leadership, and communication skills.
• Comprehensive understanding of HR functions, including talent management, compensation, benefits, and compliance.
• Proven ability to manage complex projects and lead organizational change.
• HR certification (e.g., SPHR, SHRM-SCP) is highly desirable.

• Requires a valid Michigan driver’s license with satisfactory driving record. 

Core Competencies:

• Communication Skills: Proficient in English, able to handle sensitive issues with confidentiality, and maintain a calm demeanor in complex situations.
• Independent Judgment/Problem Solving: Ability to address routine and complex HR issues with creative solutions informed by established policies and employment laws.
• Work Complexity: Ability to lead various projects while engaging with multiple stakeholders and offering solutions in a timely manner.
• Creativity/Innovation: Regularly develop imaginative solutions that impact organizational policies and procedures.

Physical Demands:

• Must have the ability to hear and understand conversations in varied settings.
• Requires clear vision for reading documents, reviewing data on a computer screen, and observing physical conditions in the workplace. 
• Must have the ability to attend meetings around campus, navigating varied terrain.

Work Environment: The work is generally conducted in a typical office environment but may involve visits to other buildings on our 300+ acre campus.

Cranbrook offers competitive compensation and benefits that include medical, dental, life insurance, long-term and short-term disability, and retirement programs with employer contribution. We also offer generous paid time off, 11 paid holidays and 3 floating holidays, employee discounts, and a unique environment in an educational setting that values collaboration.

How to Apply:

For consideration, interested candidates should submit a résumé, cover letter, and professional references. Please be sure all documents are uploaded at the time you submit your application. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled. Please click here to apply: Chief Human Resources Officer | Cranbrook Employment Opportunities

About Cranbrook Educational Community

Cranbrook History 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, House and Gardens, Institute of Science, and more than 1,600 students attending its PreK-12 independent college-preparatory Schools, Cranbrook welcomes thousands of visitors, students, and campers 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 Detroit. Cranbrook Mission and Values Mission: Cranbrook Schools are independent day and boarding schools that provide students with a challenging and comprehensive college preparatory education. We motivate students from diverse backgrounds to strive for intellectual, creative, and physical excellence, to develop a deep appreciation for the arts and different cultures, and to employ the technological tools of our modern age. Our schools seek to instill in students a strong sense of personal a...nd social responsibility, the ability to think critically, and the competence to communicate and contribute in an increasingly global community. Guiding Principles: Cranbrook Schools comprise a college preparatory day and boarding educational institution, early childhood through 12th grade, consisting of three divisions: a lower, middle and an upper school. We are structured to recognize and respond to the developmental, cognitive and creative needs of boys and girls and are dedicated to excellence in all aspects of education.

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