Chief People Officer

Van Andel Institute (VAI), a world-class biomedical research institute, located in Grand Rapids, Michigan, is dedicated to improving human health. We are pioneers in the fight against cancer, Parkinson's, and other diseases. We are committed to inspiring the next generation of scientists and educators.

VAI seeks a strategic, collaborative, and visionary Chief People Officer (CPO) to lead the Institute’s human resources function in support of its mission to advance biomedical research and science education. This executive will be a key member of the leadership team, serving as a champion of a People First culture that inspires staff to live VAI’s values and work together as one community toward scientific discovery and innovation.

Reporting to and working closely with the Chief Administrative and Financial Officer and executive leadership, the CPO will design and implement people strategies that strengthen VAI’s capacity to attract, develop, and retain world-class talent across research, education, and administrative functions. This leader will be trusted to provide forward-looking guidance on workforce planning, organizational effectiveness, and cultural evolution in a dynamic research and science education-driven environment.

Responsibilities

Strategic People Leadership

• Lead a comprehensive people strategy that aligns with VAI’s scientific, educational, and operational goals.
• Serve as a strategic advisor to the CAO and executive leadership on talent planning, organizational effectiveness, and change leadership.
• Provide thought leadership on the future of work, workforce readiness, and workplace culture in a research and academic environment.

Talent Acquisition, Development, and Retention

• Oversee the full employee life cycle, including recruitment, onboarding, performance, learning, internal mobility, and succession.
• Support the advancement of a skills-based architecture to drive internal development and engagement.
• Build strategies for attracting and retaining a diverse and highly skilled workforce across research, education, and administrative functions.

Culture and Employee Experience

• Guide the design of programs and practices that reinforce an inclusive, connected, and purpose-driven culture.
• Drive manager enablement, team effectiveness, and leadership development as key levers for cultural consistency and accountability.
• Ensure listening systems (surveys, focus groups, exit interviews) are integrated into decision-making and culture shaping.

Total Rewards and Workforce Well-being

• Provide executive oversight of total rewards strategy, including compensation, health and retirement benefits, wellness, and all forms of leave.
• Partner with finance and external vendors to ensure competitive, equitable, and fiscally responsible offerings.
• Promote total well-being as part of the employee value proposition.

Compliance, Risk, Immigration, and People Operations

• Ensure compliance with all federal, state, and local employment laws and regulations, including those required of federal contractors (e.g., OFCCP, EEO/AA, I-9).
• Provide executive leadership for the Institute’s immigration programs, including oversight of F-1, J-1, and H-1B visa support for international researchers, students, and employees.
• Partner with legal, academic, and administrative stakeholders to ensure programmatic compliance, audit readiness, and a supportive employee experience for foreign nationals.
• Guide workforce-related risk management, policy development, and effective operations through systems governance, continuous improvement, and technology.

Team Leadership and Capability Building

• Provide direct leadership to senior HR leaders and indirect oversight of all people-related staff and functions.
• Set clear priorities and empower the human resources team to operate with excellence, equity, and accountability.
• Foster a learning mindset and develop internal capabilities to meet evolving organizational needs.

People Development and Career Growth

• Champion a culture of continuous learning and development through strategic oversight of the Institute’s People Development group.
• Oversee enterprise-wide professional development, postdoctoral affairs, and federally funded training programs (e.g., T32, R25), ensuring alignment with VAI’s mission and scientific advancement.
• Build cross-functional partnerships with scientific leadership and graduate education to forecast skills, drive retention, and prepare the next generation of research leaders.

People Insights and Technology Enablement

• Champion the use of people data, analytics, and digital tools to inform strategy, drive organizational insight, and support decision-making at all levels.
• Lead governance and optimization of core systems, ensuring data integrity and actionable reporting.
• Support the thoughtful integration of emerging technologies, including AI, to enhance efficiency, reduce administrative burden, and elevate the employee experience, while maintaining transparency and ethical safeguards.

Education and Experience Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in human resources, business administration, organizational development, or a related field (Master’s degree preferred).
• Minimum 10 years of progressive HR leadership experience.
• Proven experience leading large-scale people and culture initiatives in a research institute, academic medical center, or similarly complex organization.
• Deep understanding of employment law, workforce compliance, and organizational development practices.

How to Apply: 

Lindauer, a global search and talent firm, has been retained to conduct this search on behalf of VAI. Applications, communications, nominations, and inquiries can be submitted through the Lindauer website.

About Van Andel Institute

Established in Grand Rapids, Michigan, in 1996 by the Van Andel family, VAI is now home to nearly 500 scientists, educators and support staff, who work with national and international collaborators to foster discovery. The Institute’s scientists study the origins of cancer, Parkinson’s and other diseases and translate their findings into breakthrough prevention and treatment strategies. Our educators develop inquiry-based approaches for K–12 education to help students and teachers prepare the next generation of problem-solvers, while our Graduate School offers a rigorous, research-intensive Ph.D. program in molecular and cellular biology.

VAI is committed to excellence through broad participation and diverse perspectives. We welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds and experiences who share our passion for innovation and collaboration.

Van Andel Institute is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) and Vietnam Era Veterans Readjustment Assistance Act (VEVRAA) Employer.   

As Van Andel Institute is a drug free employer, all prospective new employees undergo a urinalysis/drug test as part of our pre-employment process.  This is a 7-panel drug screen and it includes testing for Marijuana, Cocaine, Amphetamines, Opiates, PCP, Barbiturates, and Benzodiazepines. 

About Grand Rapids, MI  

Van Andel Institute is in downtown Grand Rapids, Michigan in the center of the Medical Mile.  A remarkable combination of a cosmopolitan atmosphere and small-town warmth, Grand Rapids is known for its philanthropic and sustainability-driven community. It’s fun affordable and family-friendly.  

Located on the banks of the Grand River, Grand Rapids offers all the big-city excitement you'd expect from a million-resident metropolis, featuring hundreds of restaurants and nightspots, theaters, museums, sports and concerts. The safe and clean downtown is surrounded by an eclectic mix of walkable neighborhoods and natural areas. The downtown area is safe and clean with an eclectic mix of walkable neighborhoods and natural areas.