Chief Human Resources Officer

Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO)

Title: CHRO

Salary: $165-180k commensurate with experience

Location: Shelton, onsite

Why This CHRO Opportunity?

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• Collaborative leadership team with strong commitment to the organization's mission.
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• Passion-driven environment where employees believe deeply in the work they do.
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• Opportunity to build and modernize the HR function while making a significant organizational impact.
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• Executive benefits include 15 paid holidays and 5 weeks of PTO.
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Responsibilities of CHRO:

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• Develop and execute a comprehensive HR strategy aligned with the mission, strategic plan, and growth objectives, including support for new programs and 1115 waiver
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• Provide executive-level counsel to the CEO and Board on workforce planning, succession planning, organizational design, culture transformation, and change
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• Drive HR metrics and people analytics to inform executive decision-making and demonstrate measurable impact on retention, engagement, and program
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• Build and lead a proactive talent acquisition strategy to attract mission-aligned clinical, behavioral health, and support staff in a competitive market.
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• Partner with program leaders on workforce planning, staffing models, and internal talent mobility to ensure consistent, high-quality service delivery.
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• Serve as the primary escalation point for complex and sensitive employee relations issues, conducting thorough investigations and recommending fair, defensible
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• Act as a hands-on coach to managers at all levels on performance management, difficult conversations, conflict resolution, and leadership development.
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• Oversee the design, implementation, administration, and continuous improvement of the performance evaluation process, ensuring evaluations are conducted timely, consistently, and constructively across the organization to support employee development and
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• Champion a compassionate, inclusive, and recovery-friendly workplace culture that aligns with values and supports staff
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• Design and maintain competitive compensation structures and benefits programs that balance fiscal responsibility with the ability to attract and retain top talent in nonprofit behavioral health.
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• Oversee benefits administration, open enrollment, and vendor management
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• Ensure full compliance with all federal, state (CT), and local employment laws, as well as behavioral health and substance use disorder-specific regulations, accreditation standards (including CARF), 1115 waiver requirements, grantor staffing mandates, and HIPAA obligations related to human resources.
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• Maximize utilization of current HR technology systems by developing a thorough understanding of their full capabilities and features, while continuously staying current on emerging technologies and implementing new tools or enhancements where they would improve efficiency, data accuracy, reporting, or the employee experience.
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• Roll up sleeves to support or directly handle critical HR operations during peak periods, audits, staffing transitions, or system-related initiatives.
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• Continuously improve HR policies, procedures, and workflows to enhance efficiency, consistency, and the overall employee experience.
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• Lead the creation and delivery of training programs on trauma-informed care, cultural competency, de-escalation, and leadership skills.
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Preferred Qualifications of CHRO:

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• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related field required; Master’s degree and/or SHRM-SCP / SPHR certification strongly preferred.
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• 8–10+ years of progressive HR experience, with at least 4–5 years in a senior leadership role (CHRO, VP of HR, or equivalent).
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• Proven ability to think strategically while executing tactically — demonstrated success balancing big-picture initiatives with hands-on, operational HR work in a fast-paced
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• Experience in nonprofit, healthcare, behavioral health, or human services organizations strongly preferred.
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• Deep knowledge of employment law, particularly in Connecticut and regulated
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• Comfortable rolling up sleeves and personally engaging in day-to-day HR matters, system optimization, and operational challenges when needed, while maintaining an executive perspective.
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• Strong interpersonal skills with a compassionate, ethical, collaborative, and resilient leadership style.
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