Chief Human Resources Officer

Listening Ear Crisis Center is a private nonprofit, United Way human service agency based in Mt. Pleasant, Michigan, serving mid and northern Michigan. Since 1969, we have grown from a 24-hour crisis service supporting 200 people to a multi-service organization assisting over 30,000 individuals annually. Licensed by the State of Michigan and accredited by the Council on Accreditation for Families and Children, we are committed to offering hope, support, and advocacy through quality services and safe, affordable housing. Guided by our mission to improve lives, we focus on what people can do, empowering them to reach their full potential.

Listening Ear is seeking an experienced, strategic, and people‑centered Chief Human Resource Officer (CHRO) to serve as a key member of the executive leadership team. This is a full‑time, salaried position reporting directly to the Chief Operating Officer (COO), with regular collaboration and strategic planning responsibilities coordinated with and for the Chief Executive Officer (CEO).

Position Summary:  The Chief Human Resource Officer (CHRO) is a full-time salaried C-Suite position within Listening Ear.  This position reports directory to the Chief Operating Officer (COO) but will also be expected to present, discuss, and plan with the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) in coordination with the COO.  The primary responsibility of the CHRO is to ensure all human resource functions of the entity are carried out professionally and in accordance with the regulatory environment of the agency.  This will also include advising senior management on policy considerations, emerging issues, and specific employee interactions.

Reporting and Supervision

The CHRO is directly responsible to the Chief Operating Officer of Listening Ear.  This position oversees all Human Resources (HR) staff consisting of:

• Payroll and Benefits Specialist
• Central Area Recruitment Specialist
• Bay and Saginaw Recruitment Specialist

This position is responsible for delegation of assignments, review of work, regular consultation and professional development with regards to these staff.  Internships are also regularly used in the HR department and the CHRO will oversee HR interns as well.

Job Duties

The duties of the CHRO include but are not limited to the following:

• Oversee all basic HR functions of the agency
  • Workers Compensation Claims and Reporting
  • Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) requests
  • Accommodation requests
  • Employee complaints and grievances
  • Assist and advise on employee disciplines
  • Benefit offerings and enrollment
  • Employee Assistance Programs
  • Reviewing and updating employee handbook as needed
• Review, implement, and track training
  • Ensure appropriate training is defined for each position and in compliance with the regulatory environment
  • Ensure trainers are qualified and providing quality training
  • Ensure training materials are current and professional
  • Ensure training is appropriately tracked
  • Work with COO to contract with external trainers when needed
• Manage recruitment and retention processes
  • Plan or participate in recruitment opportunities and initiatives
  • List open positions on job sites and other avenues
  • Review and improve hiring process
  • Review and improve general onboarding
  • Assist and advise managers in program specific onboarding 
  • Develop and oversee employee engagement program
  • Conduct salary review annually or as required
• Oversee third party payroll processing
• Review, advise, and write agency policy
• Attend or chair (when needed) appropriate committee meetings.  Currently this includes Risk and Safety, Training and Ethics, and Recruitment and Retention.
• Fulfilling the role of HIPAA Privacy Officer

• The CHRO is expected to fulfill the duties and obligations of their direct reports when the direct report cannot or related position is not filled
• Other duties and projects as assigned

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

The Chief Human Resource Officer is expected to have a complete understanding human resource practices and policy.  Excellent communication skills, including face to face, over the phone, and written communication are required.  Proficiency is expected in the following areas:

• Teaching, Coaching, Mentoring and Team Development
• Conflict, Project, and Change Management
• Department of Labor Regulations and other employment law
• Ability to Learn and Operate Software Systems including ERPs and HRISs.
• Microsoft Office Suite
  • Pivot Tables and Data Management in Excel
  • Mail Merging using Excel and Word

Education and Experience

Listening Ear is a skills-based employer and the appropriate candidate will demonstrate the required skills through work experience, certifications, and/or formal education.

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in human resources or related field or…
• 4 years of experience in a broad focus human resource position or…
• 2 years of experience in human resource position and SHRM-CP or equivalent certification

AND

• 2 Years Senior Management Experience

Preferred Qualifications

• Advanced Degree in human resources or related field or…
• 6 years of experience in a broad focus human resource position or…
• 4 years of experience in human resource position and SHRM-SCP or equivalent certification

AND

• 4 Years Senior Management Experience

Schedule, Travel Expectations, Working Conditions

The CHRO is expected to work 40 to 45 hours per week.  More hours should be expected during busy times of the year or during a major project.  The CHRO will set their own schedule while making themselves available for meetings, both internally and externally, and the needs of their direct reports and supervisor.  At times there will be some weekend work.  A hybrid work schedule is available for this position.

Physical and Other Requirements

This is an office position with most of the work being done seated, however it should be expected to stand for several hours at a time for presentations, trainings, and related.  There is no lifting beyond standard requirements of a general office position.  Candidates for this position must pass a physical, TB test, and all applicable background checks.

Important Disclaimers

This job description may not be inclusive of all assigned duties, responsibilities, or aspects of the job described, and may be amended at any time at the sole discretion of the Employer. 

Listening Ear is an at will employer and may terminate a person’s employment at any time, with or without cause or notice.  Nothing in this job description shall be interpreted to be in conflict with or to eliminate or modify in any way the at-will employment status.

Listening Ear is committed to providing a workplace free from discrimination or harassment.  We do not discriminate with respect to compensation, training, performance evaluation, or discipline on the basis of race, color, sex, gender, age, religion or religious creed, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, marital status, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability, military or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.  We expect every employee to do their part to cultivate and maintain an environment where everyone has the opportunity to feel included and is afforded the respect and dignity they deserve.