Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO) (0502)

Basic Function

The Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO) reports to the County Manager or a Deputy County Manager and provides strategic Human Resources leadership to achieve the county’s vision, mission, goals, core values, and priorities. This key leadership position assists the County Manager in managing and administering the affairs of the county and carrying out the policies of the County Board. The position serves as the principal Human Resource advisor to the County Manager, County Board, and senior management team.

The CHRO is the strategic leader for all human resource functions across Ramsey County and is responsible for leading, directing, and supervising the County’s Human Resources Department. The department is responsible for supporting all service teams in the performance of their business objectives and supporting all activities related to Human Resources. These activities include advancing racial equity, diversity and inclusion initiatives; talent management, attraction, recruitment, outreach, interviewing, hiring and onboarding; job classifications and compensation; employee benefits design and administration; training and organizational development; Human Resources systems technology (HRIS); and labor relations. These services are delivered across all County teams and are central to transforming Ramsey County’s vision, mission and goals into tangible outcomes for current and future employees. This position leads in advancing major change initiatives and new human resource strategic initiatives to ensure the County’s talent strategy is at all times modern, inclusive and establishing Ramsey County as an employer of choice for current and prospective employees.

We Are Looking For

Transformational Leadership – Driving culture change and innovation.

• Inspires employees with a strong vision for the future.
• Encourages continuous improvement and new ways of working.
• Helps shift workplace culture toward inclusivity, engagement, and high performance.
  
  

Servant Leadership – Building trust and strengthening employee engagement.

• Focuses on employees' needs, growth, and well-being.
• Encourages collaboration and inclusivity.
• Listens to feedback and ensures HR policies align with employee experiences.
  
  

Strategic Leadership - Aligning HR with the county’s mission and long-term goals.

• Balances daily HR operations with big-picture strategy.
• Ensures HR policies support the county’s vision for equity, service excellence, and efficiency.
• Uses data and analytics to guide workforce decisions.
  
  

Examples of Work Performed

The Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO) will lead all aspects of Ramsey County’s human resources strategy, including talent acquisition, employee engagement, diversity and inclusion, labor relations, compensation, benefits, and organizational development. The CHRO will be a key member of the county’s leadership team, driving initiatives that foster a high-performing, inclusive workplace culture.

Other Accountabilities Include

• A high level of professional integrity, strong ethics and values, leads by example and displays honest and ethical behavior in all interactions, ensures that actions and words are consistent, and follows through on commitments.
• A strong commitment to the vision, mission, values, and goals of the County.
• A strong commitment to eliminating race-based disparities; ensures the County’s HR policies, practices and department culture advances racial equity in the workplace and in how staff serve the community.
• A strong commitment to and experience in creating a diverse, successful workforce in a large organization; respect for the diversity of customers and county employees, including individuals with a disability or whose first language may not be English.
• Qualities of adaptability, dependability, and accountability; leads by example in displaying honest and ethical behavior in all interactions, ensuring that actions and words are consistent, and following through on commitments.
• Inspires and empowers staff; builds a culture that drives forward purpose and goals with creativity and innovation at all levels; fosters high staff morale by building a trusting and collaborative environment, providing opportunities for individuals to learn, grow professionally and feel safe and supported in their work.
• Knowledge of HR value-added principles associated with each human resources function: equity and inclusion, recruitment and hiring, classification and compensation; HRIS, labor relations; benefits; training and organization development; and risk management.
• A strong ability to set expectations, delegate responsibilities, trust the leadership and abilities of individuals on their team to achieve results, while being accessible to problem solve and provide counsel.
• An ability to create, communicate and advance a compelling and inspired vision and sense of purpose that will motivate individuals and positively influence the current and future state of Ramsey County.
• An ability to hire, identify and develop exceptional organizational leaders and productive workforce while appreciating the benefits of work-life balance for the organization and individuals.
• An advanced ability to effectively listen, speak, write, present, facilitate, and interact in a persuasive manner, diffuse difficult situations and manage conflict appropriately with public and private individuals and groups.
• An ability to meet the expectations and requirements of internal and external customers; gets first-hand customer information and uses it for improvements in HR products and services; acts with customers in mind; establishes and maintains effective relationships with internal customers and gains their trust and respect.
• A commitment to work collaboratively with organized labor and its representatives to achieve the County's vision, mission, and goals.
• An ability to develop budget principles, techniques, and strategies
• An ability to lead and drive organizational change; encourages creativity and innovation in service delivery.
• An ability to objectively coach leaders and staff at all levels through complex, nuanced, and at times difficult issues.
  
  

Minimum Qualifications

Education: A Bachelor’s Degree in human resources, industrial relations, law, public administration, or a closely related area.

Experience: Eight years of broad-based experience in HR with increasing levels of responsibilities; at least four years of leadership and supervisory experience.

Substitution: Any equivalent combination of education and experience may be substituted.

Certifications/Licensure: None.

Exam/Screening Process Information

How To Apply

Interested candidates should submit a cover letter, resume, and salary expectations no later than 9:00 pm on May 1, 2025. All submissions are received in the strictest confidence.

You can apply by submitting your application online here: https://www.careers-page.com/influence/job/L34Y578V

Any questions regarding this posting can be sent to Aiesha Matthews at aiesha@influenceexecsearch.com

Ramsey County provides a wide range of employee benefits to support health, well-being, and work/life balance. Benefits eligibility can vary depending on union status/contract language. A summary of benefits is provided below. Detailed information is available for review at https://www.ramseycounty.us/employees/employee-open-enrollment-2025-benefits

• Medical, dental and vision insurance
• The County contributes a bargained percentage to the medical and dental monthly premium
• Employees choose from four enrollment tiers: Single, Employee legally married spouse, Employee Child(ren), Family
• Blue Cross Blue Shield Medical insurance – three plan options including a High Deductible Plan with a Health Saving Account offered. Earn up to $20/month in electronic gift cards for each enrolled employee or spouse for wellness activity
• MetLife Dental Insurance – two plan options offered
• VSP Vision Insurance – Advantage Plan offered
  
  

• Pre-tax Benefit Program
• Pre-tax medical, dental, vision monthly premium deduction option
• Dependent and Health Care Flexible Spending Accounts
• County monthly contribution to a Health Savings Account for employees who elect the High Deductible medical plan
  
  

• Paid time off
• Vacation hours, accrued based on years of service, ranging from 12 to 25 days per year (pro-rated for part-time employees)
• 11 scheduled holidays and two floating holidays
• Up to eight weeks of 100% paid parental leave, plus additional use of sick time as noted below
• Sick hours accrued at a rate of three weeks per year, which can be used for medical and dental care; injury or illness for you, your spouse or children; the birth or adoption of a child (up to 80 hours) or the death of a family member (up to 40 hours)
• Wellness incentive allows conversion of unused sick time to vacation or pay
  
  

• Retirement benefits
• Pension - The county contributes at least 7.5% of your salary to your pension, depending on bargaining unit. Unlike other retirement investments, pension payments are a lifetime benefit once you start collecting payments
• New employees become vested after three years. For the Police and Fire union, employees are vested after 10 years
• Deferred compensation - 457(b) account with employer match
• Health Care Savings Plan - all benefits-eligible employees contribute 1% of gross regular salary to a Health Care Savings Plan account for eligible health care expenses after retirement. Interest accrues tax free. County provides a scheduled contribution after five years of participation
  
  

• Transit and parking
• Fully funded Metropass.
• Transportation/parking expenses reimbursement account
  
  

• Employee well-being
• Employee assistance program, including telephone counseling, financial counseling, rideshare benefits, etc.
• Wellness programming
• Flexible work policy with hybrid work options for eligible positions
  
  

• Life Insurance and Disability leave
• County provided Basic Life coverage - 1x annual salary, minimum $10,000 up to a maximum of $50,000. Optional supplemental coverage available
• Long-term Disability – County provided coverage replaces 40% of the employee’s lost income after six months of disability, subject to a $5,000 monthly maximum. Option to purchase an additional 20% income replacement up to $7,500 monthly maximum
• Short-term Disability – option to purchase 60% income replacement coverage with 30, 60 or 90-day waiting period
  
  

• Career development
• Tuition reimbursement, up to $4,000 per year
• Online professional development opportunities through the Learning & Development Center
• County employment qualifies as a public service organization for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program
• Employee resource groups – help employees build connections through common bonds with colleagues
  

For information about Ramsey County's 2025 benefits, visit: https://www.ramseycounty.us/employees/employee-open-enrollment-2025-benefits