Neumann Executive Search Seeking CHROs for Two Universities
May 10, 2017 – Chief human resource officers (CHRO) have made big strides as strategic game changers and sounding boards for CEOs. The best ones, in fact, are now critical C-suite players. These days, clients of all kinds around the country are demanding such talent, and that’s sending recruiters off in hot pursuit.
The latest: Neumann Executive Search Partners has been retained by both Fordham University and Clark University to fill their top human resources posts. Principal and founder Liz Neumann, vice president Mo Lashendock, and principal Amy Sugin are leading the assignments.
Fordham University
Fordham is looking for an experienced, effective and creative leader for its newly-created CHRO post. The executive will be in charge of the development and implementation of human resource policies and practices that advance the core educational, operational, and administrative objectives of the school. Working collaboratively with leaders across campuses, the CHRO is expected to oversee an effective, innovative, and responsive human resources operation and will promote a high-performing, diverse, and productive culture that attracts, develops and retains top talent.
The successful candidate must have extensive human resources leadership experience at an executive level. The candidate should also have proven success and knowledge of current human resources best practices, extensive experience in organizational behavior, employee relations, compensation, benefits and employee development. They must also be committed to diversity and inclusion and a record of promoting it.
Fordham, a Jesuit university based in New York, is a private, coeducational, urban research university guided by the Jesuit principles. Founded in 1841, the university has grown steadily and today has over 15,000 undergraduate and graduate students in 10 schools.
Key Factors In Selecting Your Next CHRO
CHROs have become critical stakeholders in defining the strategy of a company, and they are expected to tackle the HR challenges and evolving expectations of a dynamic workplace environment that will consist of constant change, calculated risk taking and evolving expectations from top stakeholders.
Clark University
Clark University, for its part, is looking for a CHRO who can work collaboratively with leaders across its campus. The school wants someone who will build and lead an effective and responsive HR operation and develop strategic programs and innovative practices in support of the university’s mission. The individual is expected to promote a high performing, positive, diverse, and productive culture with the goal of maintaining high levels of employee effectiveness and morale and fostering an inclusive and collegial environment.
Ideal candidates, the school says, must embrace Clark’s mission and culture, possess both strong leadership experience and superb communication and interpersonal skills. Candidates should be able to serve as a change agent and an innovative and forward-thinking leader who can deal effectively with a wide range of audiences including faculty, staff, students, job applicants and outside organizations. They must also demonstrate a strong commitment to diversity and inclusion.
Established in 1887, Clark today has 2,300 undergraduate and 1,100 graduate students. The university’s focused areas of research excellence are backed by eight strong doctorate and 16 master’s degree programs in such areas as biology, economics, geography, psychology, urban education, management, environmental science and policy, Holocaust and genocide studies, and international development and social change.
The Recruiters
Neumann Executive Search Partners brings decades of experience recruiting senior level professionals to colleges and universities across the U.S. It partners with clients to identify and attract leaders who can help define and advance the mission and vision of the institutions they join. The firm is currently leading searches for Ithaca College, Emory University, New York University, Northeastern University and Cornell University.
Ms. Neumann has nearly 30 years of experience in financial management, organizational consulting and executive search. She leads searches in areas that include business, budget, finance & administration, human resources, information technology, and strategy for higher education, medical and research organizations.
Ms. Lashendock has extensive executive search experience working in higher education. Her search work focuses on both academic and administrative positions within higher education institutions, working with clients from large public research universities to smaller private liberal arts colleges. She often works on searches in the areas of finance administration, information technology, enrollment management, diversity and inclusion, academic leadership, research and human resources.
Ms. Sugin, for her part, has over 20 years of higher education administration experience in enrollment management, program management and international education. She recruits for a wide range of areas, including finance, budget, student affairs, international programs, enrollment management and academic administration.
Contributed by Dale M. Zupsansky, Managing Editor, Hunt Scanlon Media
