Diversified Search Group | Koya Partners Seeks Chief People Officer for the Museum of Science in Boston

April 27, 2021 – Diversified Search Group | Koya Partners has been retained by the Museum of Science in Boston to lead its search for a chief people officer. Spearheading the assignment are managing director Beth Schaefer and senior search associate Josyanne Roche. “At this critical time in its history, the Museum of Science is seeking a dynamic, mission-driven leader to serve as the next chief people officer,” said Koya Partners. “The CPO comes to the Museum of Science at an exciting time under new leadership and a renewed commitment to the great opportunity for impact that institutions like the Museum of Science can have in their community and in the world.”
The museum is seeking an accomplished, ambitious and mission-focused leader for the role, said the search firm. This individual will have museum-wide responsibility for providing comprehensive human resources services, expertise, policies and applying best practices. Reporting to the president, the chief people officer will direct the strategic and operational decision-making in the planning, development and implementation of meaningful and measurable human resource programs and services.
The leader will be expected to demonstrate the values of the museum through their leadership, collaborations, and partnerships. As a member of the senior leadership team, the individual will play a key role in continuing, developing and implementing strategies that advance the museum’s efforts to be a high-performance organization that is fueled by a skilled, engaged, diverse workforce, with a vibrant and inclusive culture, said the search firm.
The Ideal Candidate
The successful candidate will possess broad human resources knowledge with expertise in strategic, collaborative and consultative service. The ideal candidate will bring a sophisticated approach to culture change leadership, and experience leading and developing human resources teams, complex programs and multi-discipline work environments.
Koya Partners said that the museum’s new chief people officer must be a highly accomplished leader with a passion for supporting complex, diverse workforces. He or she should have a proven track record of leading HR teams through change and workplace transformation.
Candidates are required to have comprehensive knowledge of current human resources best practices; ability to develop, implement, lead and monitor meaningful and measurable programs and services; a demonstrated ability to lead all aspects of the HR function, including strategy and operations; and the ability to create and execute an innovative human resources roadmap and vision. Other key characteristics for the position include being a relationship builder and effective communicator as well as a collaborative and transformational leader. Candidates should have a commitment to diversity, equity, accessibility and inclusion. A passion for the museum’s mission is also critical.
A bachelor’s degree is required, preferably in a related field; an advanced degree is strongly preferred, along with evidence of progressively responsible experience leading relevant functions within a human resource department in an in or a comparably complex setting.
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Founded in 1830, the Museum of Science is one of the world’s largest science centers and New England’s most attended cultural institution. The non-profit introduces 1.5 million visitors a year to science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) via dynamic programs and hundreds of interactive exhibits. The museum includes: the Hall of Human Life, allowing visitors to explore how they engage with their own bodies; Thomson Theater of Electricity, home to the world’s largest Van de Graaf generator which makes indoor lightning; Charles Hayden Planetarium, the most technologically advanced theater in New England; Mugar Omni Theater, New England’s only dome IMAX screen; and award-winning pre-K – 8 engineering curriculum, EiE, reaching 1.3 million students each year.
Mission-Driven Recruiters
Diversified Search Group is a family of firms serving specialized sectors. The firm was founded almost five decades ago for the express purpose of placing diverse candidates in client organizations. Koya Partners is a part of the Diversified Search Group and is dedicated to mission-driven leadership. Koya works broadly at the senior-most levels of the mission-driven field in philanthropy, social services, arts and culture, and social justice, among others. In 2020, Koya was acquired by Diversified Search. With the combination of revenues and resources, Diversified Search and Koya now represent one of the largest non-profit and higher education practices in the executive search industry.
Ms. Schaefer has 20 years of corporate experience in human resources roles and over a decade of search experience in the corporate and higher education fields. At Koya, she specializes in searches for senior administrative and academic leadership roles in human resources, financial management, enrollment management, institutional research, deans, and other areas of academic administration.
Ms. Roche assists Koya’s higher education team in recruiting exceptional talent to a variety of academic and administrative leadership roles across the country. Prior to joining Koya in 2018, she was an associate supporting the higher education and academic medicine practices at Odgers Berndtson. Previously, Ms. Roche served as manager of search support at Brill Neumann Associates, where she orchestrated search logistics, administration, and planning.
Related: Diversified Search Closes Funding Round, Acquires Koya Leadership Partners
Contributed by Scott A. Scanlon, Editor-in-Chief; Dale M. Zupsansky, Managing Editor; and Stephen Sawicki, Managing Editor – Hunt Scanlon Media