Position Title: Chief People, Equity and Culture Officer
Department Responsibilities: Human Resources and DEI
Immediate Supervisor: President
POSITION SUMMARY
The Chief People, Equity and Culture Officer is responsible for promoting positive organizational culture that emphasizes growth in colleagues at an institution that strives to be a professional laboratory for teaching and learning. We desire colleague development in the form of embracing making mistakes in pursuit of innovation, developing cultural competency to support equity-responsive measures, and encouraging formative feedback for continual improvement.
The internationally recognized Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy® (IMSA) develops creative, ethical leaders in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. As a teaching and learning laboratory created by the State of Illinois, IMSA enrolls academically talented Illinois students (grades 10-12) in its advanced, residential college preparatory program. It also serves thousands of educators and students in Illinois and beyond through innovative instructional programs that foster imagination and inquiry (www.imsa.edu).
IMSA is committed to an equitable, diverse and inclusive teaching and learning environment. Through a model of Equity and Excellence, IMSA has committed to advancing equity in STEM education and representation and creating a diverse, inclusive community of global citizens who can realize their full potential, and execute our mission to advance the human condition.
The Chief People, Equity and Culture Officer position oversees members of the Human Resources team and Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) team. The position maintains responsibility for all human resources functions including recruitment, employment, legal compliance, professional learning, compensation, human resource information systems and performance evaluations. The position maintains responsibility for the ongoing development, implementation and evaluation of Equity and Excellence plans in collaboration with the President, Director of Equity and Inclusion, and President’s Cabinet.
The Chief People, Equity and Culture Officer also serves as a member of the Senior Leadership Team and President’s Cabinet, and contributes to developing and executing strategic and operational goals and fosters an ethical, productive workplace environment.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Reasonable Accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. This individual is responsible for but not limited to:
- Establish and implement people strategies that align with and support IMSA’s
vision, mission and strategic plans. - Take a leadership role in developing a culture that supports employees to deliver
against its Mission. In addition, build a culture of global citizenship; open mindedness, respect and appreciation of differences. - Function as a coach and advisor to the senior management of each department regarding key organizational and management issues. Partner with the senior leadership team to ensure organizational effectiveness and employee engagement.
- Develop comprehensive recruiting, employee onboarding and retention strategies and plans.
- Work with the senior leadership team to drive effective talent assessment, performance management, succession planning, mentoring, organizational development programs and training processes and programs.
- Develop and implement comprehensive total rewards strategies and plans including compensation and benefits that are competitive and cost-effective, care for the well-being of IMSA’s staff and faculty, and that attract and retain top talent.
- Supervise Human Resources and DEI colleagues, responsible for the smooth and cost effective operation of both departments. Plan and oversee the respective department budgets. Ensure that HR processes, systems and technology align with the organization’s strategy and plans, and provide reliable and timely data analysis to support management decisions. Compile and analyze data, including the preparation and distribution of various reports on HR metrics.
- Ensure policies, procedures and HR programs are consistently administered, and aligned with organizational goals. Ensure compliance with federal, state and local laws and industry regulations as well as advising department managers on legal implications of HR issues related to discipline and employee grievances.
- Support the diversity, equity and inclusion goals of the Academy through implementation of inclusive policies and procedures and the acquisition and retention of staff and faculty.
- Coach and counsel managers and supervisors regarding employee relations, performance management, and disciplinary issues
- Act as confidential advisor to and advocate for employees regarding employment issues.
- Lead the implementation and management of HR support technology.
- Ensure the timely, accurate filing of all state required personnel reports
- Lead the development and management of staffing plans and budgets
- Contribute to the overall success of the Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy’s strategic plan
- Ability to work irregular schedules, including periodic evening and/or weekend hours
- Other duties as assigned
PREFERRED EXPERIENCE
The required formal education and experience for this position include, but are not necessarily
limited to:
- Significant leadership experience in a higher education, school administration or other educational setting that reflects development of people, equitable work environments, and positive organizational health
- Demonstrated ability to work well with a variety of individuals and diverse populations
- Knowledge of federal and state employment laws and compliance issues
- Experience with human resource data bases and support technology
- Strong interpersonal, collaboration and communication skills
- Significant experience in policy development and administration
- Background in strategic planning and facilitating organizational change
- Demonstrated employee relations and conflict resolution skills
- Effective detail-oriented project management skills
- Demonstrated ability to work with individuals at all levels of a complex organization
- Ability to prioritize and manage multiple projects simultaneously
- Ability to analyze and resolve problems quickly and equitably
- Systemic perspective – show cases the ability to view problems and issues in the context of the bigger picture and understand the interrelationships among subcomponents. Demonstrates the ability see how the organization operates as a whole unit.
- Negotiation and conflict resolution skills – has the ability as well as experience reaching agreements and consensus in spite of different goals and priorities.
- Embraces a growth mindset; is inquisitive, collaborative and resilient.
- Current SHRM-S/SCP or equivalent certification
WORKING CONDITIONS AND PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
Work is performed in an office setting with minimal exposure to health or safety hazards. Hybrid working is possible under different circumstances. Substantial time is spent working on a computer. This role generally requires mobility, written and verbal communication, hearing and visual capabilities. However, reasonable accommodations, including assistive technology, may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform such requirements.
COMPENSATION:
This leadership position is a full-time twelve-month position. Salary and benefits are commensurate with training and experience expected at this level of leadership in comparable institutions. The Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy offers an excellent comprehensive benefits package including health and retirement benefits. The Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer providing equal employment opportunities without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, age, religion, or national origin. This policy also includes the handicapped and all disabled Vietnam era veterans. IMSA utilizes only job-related criteria in making decisions concerning applicants and employees.
APPLICATION PROCESS:
- Apply for the position through the School Exec Connect website: www.schoolexecconnect.com
- Please submit the required credentials through the SEC website.