WittKieffer Seeking CHRO for Texas Tech
April 25, 2024 – A number of universities have recently turned to search firms to find new chief human resources officers. Oak Brook-IL-based WittKieffer was recently selected by Texas Tech University to lead in its search for a new CHRO. Ryan Crawford and Luis Bertot are leading the assignment. The school seeks an CHRO to lead the institution’s efforts to redefine human resources in higher education and elevate workplace excellence, satisfaction, and innovation. Reporting to the EVP for operations and chief financial officer, the CHRO will provide strategic leadership for the university in the planning, development, and implementation of high-quality, integrated human resources programs and services, including staff relations, benefits, employee well-being, talent management, and compensation and classification, among others. The CHRO serves as a strategic partner to the executive team, providing insight and guidance on workforce-related matters that impact the organization’s overall success.
WittKieffer notes that the successful candidate will bring experience leading in evolving and complex environments; a vision for achieving human resources best practices and a record of innovative leadership; a collaborative approach that emphasizes effective communication and engagement with constituents; and the ability to adapt and problem-solve to drive change and navigate challenges.
This individual must have a record of progressive human resources leadership, preferably in higher education, as well as a bachelor’s degree in an appropriate field. A graduate degree is preferred as is an appropriate professional certification (SHRM senior certified professional or senior professional in human resources)
Texas State encompasses multiple locations across Central Texas; employs more than 7,000 faculty, staff, and students; and serves more than 38,000 students.
WittKieffer assists hospitals, health systems, academic medical centers, medical schools, and physician groups; biotech, pharmaceutical, diagnostics and medical device companies; colleges and universities, and not-for-profit community service and cultural organizations with senior administrative recruiting assignments. With more than 100 search professionals nationwide, its consultants recruit CEOs, CFOs, COOs, CNOs, physician executives, and other leaders.
Academic Recruiters
WittKieffer’s education recruitment team identifies higher education and college preparatory school leaders who understand complex issues facing both public and private institutions: resource constraints; shifting national policy and increased scrutiny by boards, faculty, students and families. The education roles it recruits for include presidents; provosts; deans; officers for business and finance, advancement and development, student affairs, enrollment, IT; and more.
Related: Academic Sector Pumping Big Fees Into Search Firms
Mr. Crawford, senior partner, has more than 13 years of executive recruiting experience. He is adept at working with search committees to align goals and recruiting strategies with the expectations of faculty, students and campus stakeholders. Prior to joining WittKieffer, Mr. Crawford served as a partner at an education-focused executive search firm, where he served as lead consultant on higher education searches for positions including presidents, deans and administrators in academic affairs, advancement, enrollment management and student affairs.
WittKieffer Tapped by Franklin Pierce University to Lead President Search
WittKieffer has been selected by Franklin Pierce University in Rindge, NH, to lead its search for a new president. Current president Kim Mooney has announced she is retiring at the end of this academic year. “As the search process gets underway, the WittKieffer team will consult widely with Franklin Pierce faculty, students, staff, alumni and other stakeholders to gather insights and ideas about the future leadership needs of the university moving forward,” said Frederick W. Pierce, chair of the board of trustees.
As an associate in WittKieffer’s education practice, Mr. Bertot brings a history of work in human resources leadership to his role. He serves as a member of the WittKieffer diversity council and works with clients and candidates to enhance diversity and inclusive excellence in leadership recruitment. Prior to joining WittKieffer, Mr. Bertot owned his own human resources consulting firm, offering a full spectrum of HR, talent and recruiting services and expertise. He closely partnered with clients’ executive teams to develop holistic people strategies, create efficiencies, solve problems and transform their workforce. Before that, Mr. Bertot was a senior human resources manager for Fortune 50 firm Comcast Universal, overseeing HR needs for four of the company’s departments.
Current Search
WittKieffer was retained by Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York City to lead in its search for a chief people officer. Memorial Sloan Kettering seeks a dynamic, progressive, and innovative human resources executive to serve as its next chief people officer. WittKieffer notes that this is an exciting opportunity with one of the world’s most respected healthcare organizations devoted exclusively to cancer and recognized as one of the top two cancer hospitals in the country by U.S. News & World Report.
The ideal candidate will be an innovative and results-oriented HR leader. The WittKieffer explains that candidates will have a minimum of 10 years of human resources experience, a significant portion of which should have been in a leadership role for the design, development, and implementation of comprehensive HR strategies and improving organizational results. The ideal candidate will have experience working in urban, large, complex, highly matrixed organizations. Healthcare and/or academic medical center experience is not required, but highly preferred for this opportunity.
Related: WittKieffer Assists UConn in Landing New Chief Diversity Officer
Contributed by Scott A. Scanlon, Editor-in-Chief; and Dale M. Zupsansky, Managing Editor – Hunt Scanlon Media
