Chief Human Resources Officer

Oregon State University (OSU), a nationally recognized land grant and R1 research university, invites experienced and forward-thinking HR leaders to apply for the role of Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO). This is a defining moment for OSU: the university is undertaking a major, multi-year transformation through its Administrative Modernization Program (AMP), including the launch of Workday in July 2026. The CHRO will play a central role in shaping a modern HR organization and positioning the university for long-term operational excellence.

The CHRO serves as OSU’s senior HR executive and a key strategic partner to both academic and administrative leadership. Reporting to the Vice President for Finance and Administration/Chief Financial Officer, with a dotted-line relationship to the Provost and Executive Vice President, this leader will drive a people-centered HR strategy aligned with OSU’s strategic plan, Prosperity Widely Shared. The CHRO will strengthen organizational capacity, elevate service delivery, support faculty and staff success, and cultivate a culture grounded in collaboration, inclusion, accountability, and transparency.

Leading a team of more than 100 HR professionals serving over 17,000 employees across OSU’s statewide enterprise, the CHRO oversees the full HR portfolio: benefits and wellness, academic HR, classification and compensation, employee and labor relations, strategic HR partners, learning and development, HR compliance, recruitment and talent acquisition, and student employment. The role includes building and sustaining constructive relationships with OSU’s four employee unions and guiding HR operations through periods of significant organizational change.

Key priorities include modernizing HR systems and practices; advancing digital transformation and analytics through Workday; supporting academic and research priorities, including faculty affairs and workforce needs in research-intensive environments; leading long-range workforce planning; and strengthening institutional culture, leadership development, equity, inclusion, and employee engagement across the university.

The ideal candidate brings deep experience in large, complex organizations along with strength in labor relations, HR strategy, organizational change, and academic HR. They are a relationship-builder with sound judgment, political acumen, and the ability to navigate sensitive issues with steadiness. Above all, they are a culture-shaper who leads with integrity, empathy, and a commitment to inclusive excellence.

Minimum qualifications include a bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience, at least ten years of progressive HR leadership, strong knowledge of employment law and labor relations, experience in decentralized environments, facility with HRIS systems, and a demonstrated ability to lead change, support diverse stakeholders, and align HR strategy with institutional goals. Preferred qualifications include a master’s degree, experience in R1 higher education, background in academic HR, experience with Workday or similar systems, familiarity with Oregon employment law, and senior HR certification.

For a full list of responsibilities and qualifications, please view the full position description.

About OSU and Corvallis

OSU serves more than 35,000 students across two campuses, a robust online division, and Extension offices in all 36 Oregon counties. As one of only three land, sea, space, and sun grant universities in the nation, OSU is renowned for its research excellence, community impact, and commitment to sustainability. Major institutional initiatives—including the Administrative Modernization Program and the 2026 opening of the Huang Collaborative Innovation Complex—position OSU for significant growth and innovation.

Nestled in Oregon’s Willamette Valley, Corvallis is a welcoming, vibrant, and sustainability-minded college town known for outdoor recreation, creativity, and quality of life. The city offers easy access to Portland, the Oregon Coast, and the extraordinary landscapes of the Pacific Northwest.

To Apply

Oregon State University has retained Opus Partners to support this recruitment. Katie Dean, Partner, Ann K. Adams, Associate Partner and Thomas Lapierre, Senior Associate, are leading the search. Confidential inquiries, applications, and nominations should be submitted by email to Thomas at thomas.lapierre@opuspartners.net. To be considered by OSU’s search committee, candidates must provide a resume and a letter of introduction that addresses the specific responsibilities, expectations, and qualifications described above. Please consult Opus Partners for more information about the application process.

The expected hiring range for this position is $280,000-$325,000. This range takes into account the wide range of factors that are considered in making compensation decisions including but not limited to experience, skills, knowledge, abilities, education, licensure and certifications, and other business and organizational needs. Salary offers are determined based on final candidate qualifications and experience.

For more information on OSU’s benefits, please visit https://hr.oregonstate.edu/benefits.