Description
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 - Serves 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 - Serves 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
Requirements
Minimum Qualification Requirements
- 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 - 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. - 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
