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As part of Arizona State University’s charter to provide access and excellence, ASU Preparatory Academy (ASU Prep) shares this commitment by demonstrating all students can achieve at the highest levels, regardless of their background. To scale our current impact, ASU Prep is advancing a major expansion program taking fundamental responsibility for the communities we serve.
The Chief People Officer (CPO) will, working closely with the Managing Director, serve as the architect of the network’s culture initiatives and talent strategy, all in support of the mission and values of ASU Prep. This individual will be a key member of the Senior Leadership Team (SLT), serving as the strategic lead on all people initiatives, especially as it relates to organizational design/effectiveness and culture. The ideal candidate will be a dynamic and innovative executive with the experience to lead Human Capital across a multi-faceted population.
QUALIFICATIONS:
- Master’s Degree in Human Resources or related field, required.
- Minimum of 10 years of progressive leadership experience in strategic, high-level senior management HR roles.
- SHRM certification preferred.
- Proven experience leading cultural and organizational change.
- Ability to align staff, policies, and programs with mission, vision, and values.
- Strong background in HR functions, including organizational design, employee relations, talent acquisition, leadership development, compensation, and payroll.
- Successful track record delivering business results through people strategies.
- Experience working closely with senior leadership in a high-performing organization.
- Skilled in organizational planning, talent benchmarking, and workforce development.
- Active AZ Department of Public Safety (DPS) IVP Fingerprint Clearance Card.
- Any equivalent combination of experience and/or education from which comparable knowledge, skills and abilities have been achieved.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Act as a trusted advisor to the Managing Director and SLT on organizational design, workforce planning, and cultural priorities. Represent ASU Prep externally to strengthen the employer brand and support strategic partnerships.
- Align ASU Prep’s goals, values, and daily practices to foster a purpose-driven culture where employees clearly understand how their work advances the mission and collaborate effectively across teams.
- Lead strategies to attract, develop, and retain top talent. Ensure robust pipelines for key roles, oversee succession planning, and position ASU Prep as a destination employer.
- Develop and sustain programs that build leadership capabilities at all levels. Provide executive coaching and mentoring to senior leaders while cultivating future leaders across the organization.
- Assess organizational climate and engagement regularly. Implement data-driven strategies to strengthen trust, improve morale, and enhance employee retention.
- Oversee employee relations, conflict resolution, and compliance with labor and education laws. Promote proactive training and prevention strategies that reinforce a culture of trust and respect.
- Ensure progressive, competitive, and equitable compensation, benefits, and recognition programs that motivate and incentivize employee performance in alignment with organizational goals.
- Lead and guide the best benefits and wellness programs across the organization.
- Serve as a catalyst for change by guiding cultural and structural transformation initiatives. Equip leaders and employees to navigate growth, innovation, and evolving workplace practices.
- Leverage data, analytics, and workforce technology to inform decisions, improve processes, and anticipate future organizational needs. Provide regular reporting to senior leadership and governance bodies.
- Additional duties as assigned.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES
- Excellent communication skills, including active listening and the ability to connect with diverse audiences.
- Strong coaching and mentoring skills; able to support leaders and teams through growth and change.
- High emotional intelligence with the ability to build trust, inspire others, and foster collaboration.
- Solutions-oriented mindset with the ability to innovate and drive measurable results.
- Strong organizational and execution skills, with a reputation for accountability and follow-through.
- Ability to serve as a visible, credible leader who models integrity and sets high standards.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to stand and talk or hear and sometimes walk and sit. The employee must use hands, arms and fingers to input data, handle, feel or reach. While performing the duties of this job, the employee may occasionally push or lift up to 25 lbs. such as boxes, supplies, etc. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision such as to read handwritten or typed material, and the ability to adjust focus, close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision and depth perception.
TRAVEL:
Occasional travel may be required for site visits, meetings, trainings and/or conferences. Locations may vary and may require overnight stays.
This job description is subject to change at any time.
C1PO
