Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer
THE SEARCH
Cornell University seeks a highly strategic, collaborative, and innovative leader to serve as its next Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer (VP CHRO). Cornell is a vibrant community of scholars, educators, students, and staff with cherished founding principles; world-class research; and curricula dedicated to preparing students to be well-educated, thoughtful citizens of the world. It is unique among its Ivy League peers as a private university with a land-grant mission, several New York State-supported colleges, and an international campus in Qatar. At this pivotal moment for American higher education—defined by financial pressures, workforce transformation, and evolving expectations of employees—the VP CHRO will guide Cornell through significant organizational change, some of which is already in process, while strengthening institutional trust, cohesion, and effectiveness.
Reporting to the President, and serving as a key leader, connector, and strategist across all of Cornell’s campuses, which include over 18,000 employees and 11 unions, the VP CHRO is responsible for directing the University’s overall strategic and operational human resources functions. As a trusted advisor to the President, Cabinet, Board of Trustees, and other institutional leaders, the VP CHRO will provide data-informed recommendations and pragmatic options on complex workforce, organizational, and cultural issues. Further, the VP CHRO will design, implement, and continually iterate on a change agenda that aligns with institutional priorities and capacity, while allowing flexibility for local needs and a shifting regulatory landscape.
The successful candidate will be a highly visible, engaged, and credible leader who thrives in complexity and brings tested best practices, empathy, and resolve to lead through change. They will work to elevate HR’s role across the University as a strategic partner and ensure a consistent, influential presence in enterprise decision-making. Combining strategic acumen with operational depth, the VP CHRO will help Cornell balance competing priorities with clarity and decisiveness. With a deep commitment to Cornell’s mission and community, the next VP CHRO will play a vital role in shaping the University’s future as an engaged employer of choice and upholding its reputation as a world-class academic institution.
COMPENSATION
The compensation for this role is set between $515,000 and $575,000.
APPLICATIONS, INQUIRIES, AND NOMINATIONS
Screening of complete applications will begin immediately and continue until the completion of the search process. Inquiries, nominations, referrals, and CVs with cover letters should be sent via the Isaacson, Miller website for the search linked below. Electronic submission of materials is strongly encouraged.
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