Department Information
The University of Colorado (CU) invites applications and nominations for the position of Vice President/Chief Human Resource Officer (CHRO). CU, a premier public research university with four campuses in Boulder, Colorado Springs, Denver, and Aurora, seeks a mission-centric, skilled, and collaborative human resources executive to help shape and execute an integrated people and culture strategy. Reporting to the Senior Vice President of Internal Operations and Chief of Staff, the CHRO serves as a member of the President’s executive team, and partners with senior leaders at System Administration and across the CU System.
The next VP/CHRO is responsible for developing System Administration’s compensation strategy for advancement and growth opportunities, workplace culture initiatives, training strategies, employee surveys, and other HR initiatives to create a culture where employees feel included, empowered, and valued. This position oversees approximately 130 employees and collaborates with campus and system leaders to ensure the alignment of HR strategies while respecting the unique needs of each entity. The successful candidate will preferably hold an advanced degree from an accredited institution of higher education or equivalent experience in business administration, human resources, law, public administration, or related field. They will also have a minimum of 10 years’ experience in a leadership role, which includes directing a major business function, developing and implementing strategies and initiatives, and managing personnel and finances.
The University of Colorado system office, located in Denver, brings together administrative departments and services centers that provide guidance and services to all CU’s campuses. Denver is one of the fastest-growing metropolitan areas in the country, recognized for its diverse workforce, strong economic outlook, and vibrant civic culture. The city serves as a regional hub for innovation, government, healthcare, and technology, creating dynamic opportunities for talent development and organizational professionals.
A complete Leadership Profile with additional information may be found here .
Please direct nominations and expressions of interest or any questions regarding the application process to: CUSystemVPCHRO25@agbsearch.com
Margaret F. Plympton, Ed.D.
Principal
484.554.4542
margaret.plympton@agbsearch.com
Roderick J. McDavis, Ph.D.
Managing Principal & CEO
804.514.1982
rod.mcdavis@agbsearch.com
Description Of Job
Duties & Responsibilities:
Supervision/Management
This position oversees approximately 130 employees under the following positions and functions:
- Associate Vice President and CU Health Plan Chief Administrator
- Associate Vice President for Employee Services
- Assistant Vice President for HR, Learning and Development
- Internal communications focusing on systemwide programs, including benefits and internal communications for system administration employees.
Strategic Talent Leadership
- Serve as a trusted advisor to the President, Senior Vice President for Internal Operations and Chief of Staff, executive leadership team, and campus CHROs on all talent, organizational, and workforce matters.
- Ensure the System Administration talent strategy supports consistent, practical application of hiring, development, and retention practices, and fosters shared expectations for how work gets done across System Administration.
- Work to ensure that System Administration provides an outstanding employment opportunity for individuals from all Colorado communities.
- Collaborate with campus and system leaders to ensure alignment of HR strategies while respecting the unique needs of each entity.
- Support key campus executive leaders across the CU system in:
- Coaching and consulting on talent and interpersonal matters
- Mediation of conflicts and contrasting priorities
- Employee relations
- Assist when requested with the Board of Regents on policy, employment practices, planning and management of staff, and other matters.
- Provide guidance on executive level searches from position creation/update to hire including managing external search firms and internal search committees.
- Collaborate with leadership to identify barriers, design and deliver training, and promote inclusive practices that support a productive and engaged workforce for all staff.
Functional HR Leadership
- Provide strategic oversight for all enterprise HR operations, ensuring efficient, compliant, and service-oriented delivery across all centralized shared services, including payroll, benefits, retirement programs, leave management, HR technology, labor relations (in conjunction with legal counsel), HR-related policy development, and other centralized functions.
- Provide strategic direction and oversee the Assistant Vice President that delivers the following capabilities within the System office while aligning practices and strategy with similar campus functions for compensation strategy, talent acquisition, organizational effectiveness, employee relations, culture, inclusion and belonging, and leadership development within System Administration.
- Provide strategic directions on inclusive strategies to improve recruitment, hiring, retention, and workplace culture for all System Administration staff, including continuing and evolving our System Administration Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) and workshops focusing on developing a sense of belonging for all System Administration staff.
- For certain functions managed operationally on the campuses (including compensation, leadership development, & talent acquisition), lead enterprise-wide alignment efforts and development of select shared strategies and tools while providing support and visibility to key leaders.
University of Colorado Health and Welfare Trust
- Serve as trustee for the University of Colorado Health and Welfare Trust, a multi-employer voluntary employees’ beneficiary association, a 501(c)(9) entity, established to provide medical, dental, and wellness benefits to eligible employees and their families.
- Work with Chief Plan Administrator to ensure health benefits strategy aligns with broader university goals while maintaining regulatory and fiduciary boundaries defined by the Trust and Plan documents.
Governance And Fiduciary Responsibilities
- Serve as fiduciary leader for CU retirement plans.
- Serve as liaison to System Administration Staff Council and the system-wide Staff Council.
- Stay informed on and develop strategy with Legal Counsel for labor relations.
- As requested by the government relations team, assist with preparation of and provide feedback or testimony regarding employee-related state or federal legislation.
- Work with members of the President’s executive team and others in developing and updating Administrative Policy Statements and Regent Laws and Policies.
Professional Experience And Attributes
Minimum Qualifications, Substitutions, Conditions of Employment & Appeal Rights
Successful candidates in this role will bring many of the following experiences and characteristics:
- Demonstrated experience leading strategic HR transformation and culture change in large, complex organizations.
- Ability to develop senior leaders and foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, and performance.
- Expertise in workforce analytics, data-driven decision-making, and people metrics.
- Deep understanding of modern HR principles, organizational effectiveness, and leadership development.
- Collaborative and consultative leadership style with the ability to influence across multiple stakeholder groups.
- Strong communication and relationship-building skills with demonstrated ability to inspire trust and drive alignment, ensuring the continuing growth of effective relationships throughout all of CU
Minimum Qualifications
- A bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution of higher education or equivalent experience in business administration, human resources, law, public administration or a related field;
- Ten (10) years of progressively responsible HR management experience in a large, complex organization with multiple personnel systems including the following:
- Communicating with and managing relationships with internal and external constituencies including executive leadership;
- Experience overseeing core HR functions such as payroll, benefits, retirement plans, HR technology systems, and leadership development;
- Managing a high-volume service center; such as payroll, benefits or leave management services for a high-volume employer;
- Managing or working with culture and inclusion in an organizational setting; Fiduciary responsibilities for benefit and retirement plans;
- Experience with labor relations policies and practices.
- Ten (10) years’ experience in a leadership role, which includes directing a major business function, developing and implementing strategies and initiatives, and managing personnel and finances including one or more of the following:
- Developing and implementing strategy at a large department or organization;
- Implementation, management and review of human resource functions for a large organization;
- Demonstrated experience managing multi-million-dollar budgets and fiduciary responsibilities related to employee benefits and retirement plans. Demonstrated experience in strategic HR leadership within large, complex organizations.
- Proven track record of leading enterprise-wide HR initiatives, including talent strategy, workforce planning, employee relations, and organizational development. Commitment to an inclusive and supportive work environment for all employees.
Preferred Qualifications
- Advanced degree from an accredited institution of higher education or equivalent experience in business administration, human resources, law, public administration or related field.
- Experience leading culture transformation initiatives, including employee surveys – and developing survey results into an actionable plan and implementing that plan through training strategies and employee development programs.
- Experience implementing compensation strategy. Experience developing strategy for advancement and growth opportunities for organizational staff.
- Chief human resources officer assignment(s).
- Proven ability to influence change through a collaborative and inclusive leadership style.
Supplemental Information
NOMINATIONS AND APPLICATIONS
Review of applications for the Vice President & CHRO will begin immediately and continue until an
appointment is made. To ensure full consideration, applications should be received by
January 9,
And Must Include
- A letter of interest addressing the strategic objectives and qualifications identified in the profile;
- A current curriculum vitae; and
- Contact information (email and phone) for five professional references, including their relationship to the candidate.
The University Of Colorado Is Being Assisted By AGB Search. Application Materials Should Be Submitted Through The AGB Search Portal System Here
University of Colorado System VP for Employee Services and Chief Human Resources Officer
Please direct nominations and expressions of interest or any questions regarding the
application process to: CUSystemVPCHRO25@agbsearch.com .
Benefits
With our unparalleled range of benefits, including top-notch healthcare, comprehensive wellness programs, enriching professional development, and a dynamic work-life balance, we ensure your holistic growth and happiness.
- Disability, Life, Vision Insurance options.
- Multiple retirement planning options including a mandatory 401(a) plan where CU contributes 10% of your gross pay, a 401k or 403b plan and a 457 deferred compensation plan.
- Pre-tax savings plans, such as Health care and Dependent care flexible spending accounts.
- Embrace a healthy work-life balance with ample sick and vacation leave, along with at least 12 paid holidays. This includes a dedicated week off for winter break.
- 6 weeks of parental leave to adjust to the joys of parenthood.
- A tuition benefit program for you and/or your dependents.
- Free RTD EcoPass and Free Onsite Parking at our 1800 Grant Street Office.
- Many additional perks & programs with the CU Advantage .
Additional Taxable Fringe Benefits May Be Available.
For more information on benefits programs, please review our Comprehensive Benefits Guide .
Access our Total Compensation Calculator to see what your total rewards could be at CU. (This position is a University Staff position)
