Vice President for Human Resources and Chief People Officer

Vice President for Human Resources and Chief People Officer

Middlebury, VT

Middlebury College is currently seeking a Vice President for Human Resources (VP) and Chief People Officer (CPO) who will oversee the development and implementation of human resources strategies and functions that support Middlebury’s values, culture, teaching, and research mission.

The VP and CPO will play the key role in continuing, developing, and implementing strategies that advance Middlebury’s efforts to be a high-performance organization that is fueled by a skilled, engaged, and diverse workforce, and a vibrant and inclusive culture.

This is a unique opportunity to work in close partnership with the President, Executive Vice President, Board of Directors, senior leadership team, HR team, and staff in Vermont, Washington DC, California, and around the world to develop and implement a bold and exciting vision for Middlebury as an organization that attracts top talent, ensures they are highly engaged in the mission, work, and culture of the organization, develops them in their careers, and maximizes their contributions.

From its proud history spanning more than two centuries, Middlebury College has emerged as one of a handful of the most highly regarded liberal arts colleges. Middlebury is unique among these schools in being a classic liberal arts college that also offers graduate and specialized programs in Monterey, California, and around the world.

The VP and CPO will lead through change, foster an equitable, diverse, open, and inclusive environment, serve as a trusted adviser, guide talent management and workforce development and planning, direct a strong HR team, oversee HR technology capabilities and the implementation of data-driven strategies and solutions, support Middlebury’s teaching and research mission, and steward compensation, benefits, and compliance.

The successful candidate is a Human Resources thought partner, a strategic problem-solver, a prudent change-agent and collaborator, an approachable, trusted, responsive, and optimistic leader, and an excellent coach and facilitator. The VP and CPO excels at guiding and influencing top decision makers, leading change, and executing a progressive workforce development strategy. With senior leadership, the VP and CPO will translate Middlebury’s strategic vision into forward-thinking HR operational plans.

They will be value-driven, with impeccable integrity, and a reputation for a balanced, diplomatic and consultative approach; have a willingness to challenge conventional thinking coupled with the ability to collaborate, listen well, and to take the lead in problem-solving and consensus-building. 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 institution of higher education or a comparably complex setting.

For a full position profile, please visit: https://koyapartners.com/search/vp-human-resources-and-chief-people-officer/

Expressing Interest

Tom Phillips, Managing Director, and Josyanne Roche, Consultant, of Koya Partners have been exclusively retained for this search. To express your interest in this role please submit your materials here. All inquiries and discussions will be considered strictly confidential.

Middlebury College ("Middlebury") complies with applicable provisions of state and federal law which prohibit discrimination in employment, or in admission or access to its educational or extracurricular programs, activities, or facilities, on the basis of race, creed, color, place of birth, ancestry, ethnicity, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, marital status, service in the armed forces of the United States, positive HIV-related blood test results, genetic information, or against qualified individuals with disabilities on the basis of disability and/or any other status or characteristic as defined and to the extent protected by applicable law. 

Koya Partners, a part of the Diversified Search Group, is a leading executive search and strategic advising firm dedicated to connecting exceptionally talented people with mission-driven clients. Our founding philosophy—The Right Person in the Right Place Can Change the World—guides our work as we partner with nonprofits & NGOs, institutions of higher education, responsible businesses, and social enterprises in local communities and around the world.

For more information about Koya Partners, visit www.koyapartners.com.