Seattle University Picks Diversified Search Group | Koya Partners to Recruit CHRO
January 11, 2022 – Diversified Search Group | Koya Partners has been enlisted by Seattle University to find its next vice president for human resources and chief human resources officer (CHRO). Managing director Beth Schaefer and search associate Holly Bogo are leading the assignment. “Seattle University seeks an innovative, experienced, and collaborative leader to serve as its next vice president for human resources and to lead institutional efforts towards excellence across the full range of human resource programs and services,” said the search firm.
The HR role is a critically important and carries broad responsibility for effecting positive change and growth in the university’s culture, policies, practices and systems, said Diversified Search Group | Koya Partners. The position provides counsel to the president, serves as a member of the university cabinet, and shares in leadership responsibility for the administration of the university. The incoming leader will bring expertise to lead, develop and provide comprehensive human resources services, practices, and policies, manages, and supports a team of professionals charged with effective implementation across all human resource areas, and fosters collaboration and partnerships across campus in support of the university’s strategic goals.
Shaping Culture
Seattle University is focused on empowering leaders for a just and humane world and aspires to be among the most innovative and progressive Jesuit and Catholic universities in the world, said the search firm. The leader will not only manage significant operational complexity but will also play a key role in shaping institutional culture.
The incoming leader will also play a critical role in the implementation of Seattle University’s Reignited Strategic Directions 2022-2027 to be formally launched by university president Eduardo Peñalver this month, in particular with goals relating to strengthening professional formation, promoting inclusive excellence and repositioning the university for growth.
Diversified Search Group | Koya Partners said this position is ultimately responsible for leading the HR team, university leadership and the broader campus community to better foster the success and satisfaction of our faculty and staff.
The CHRO leader of Seattle University must be a strategically minded, proactive, and solutions focused partner who excels at leading through influence to encourage best practices and facilitate decisions improving the effectiveness and outcomes of employee initiatives, programs, and services, said the search firm. The ideal candidate will serve as the institution’s leader on people issues, be a trusted advisor and partner to the president, senior leaders, and the Seattle University community to build a culture of innovation and foster an engaging and inclusive work environment for all employees.
Leading by Example
The successful candidate will have progressive human resources leadership experience at an executive level. The next HR leader will be expected to lead by example in demonstrating trust, open communication, compassion, enthusiasm, and encouragement and have experience building capacity and motivating a team of human resource professionals.
Being visionary and strategic is also critical; candidates should be able to connect vision to culture and infuse shared values throughout and organization. Prospects should also possess deep personal and professional integrity that intentionally shapes and influences a positive work culture. The right candidate will understand how to communicate the culture and build community. The individual must have a progressive mindset with experience and demonstrated capacity to lead multicultural organizations that effectively serve BIPOC and/or LGBTQ+ communities.
Related: Diversified Search Group | Koya Partners Recruits First Woman and Black CEO for United Way Worldwide
Founded in 1891, Seattle University offers 65 undergraduate programs, 31 graduate programs at both the masters and doctoral levels, and more than 30 certificate programs, granting degrees through eight schools and colleges: arts and science, business and economics, education, law, nursing, science and engineering, theology and ministry, and new and continuing studies. Students are taught by experienced faculty, and the average class size is 18 students.
Family of Firms
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.
Diversified Search Group | Koya Partners Seeks Chief People Officer for the Museum of Science in Boston
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.”
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. Bogo’s experience includes working within college and university settings. She is passionate about effective and transformational leadership, mission-driven work, and the field of higher education. Before Koya, she worked in undergraduate admissions at Columbia University and Connecticut College. In addition to first-year recruitment and yield management, she focused on athletics, marketing, and communications, and non-first-year admissions. While in graduate school, she worked in MIT Sloan School of Management’s admissions office.
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
