The New York City Employees’ Retirement System (NYCERS) was founded by the New

York State Legislature in 1920 with 13,331 members. Today, NYCERS has grown into

one of the largest municipal public employee retirement systems in the United States

with more than 430,000 active/vested members, retirees and beneficiaries. NYCERS is

a defined benefit retirement plan and a cost-sharing, multiple employer public employee

retirement system. We are looking for individuals with passion, dedication and

commitment to excellence and innovation who are interested in adding to our dynamic

and collaborative work environment. Working for the City of New York, you will receive

excellent benefits, including healthcare, vision benefits, dental benefits, as well as the

opportunity to participate in the City’s retirement plan. NYCERS offers a hybrid work

environment with partial onsite work and partial telework.

About the Organization

We are an organization at an exciting moment of transformation and growth. With a

renewed focus on operational excellence, innovation, and people-centered leadership,

we are strengthening the foundation that supports our workforce and the communities we

serve. The CHRO will build a workplace where every employee feels valued, empowered,

and inspired to contribute their best because we believe that when people thrive, the

organization thrives. As we modernize our systems, invest in leadership development,

and deepen our commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging, we are seeking

an exceptional Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO) to help lead the next chapter of

our organizational evolution. This is a unique opportunity to shape strategy, elevate the

employee experience, and drive meaningful cultural impact across all levels of the

organization.

Position Overview

The Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO) will serve as the senior strategic leader

overseeing all aspects of Human Resources. Reports directly to the ED and serves as a

member of the Executive Leadership Team and Strategic Governance Council, the

CHRO will partner with organizational leaders to design and implement forward-thinking

HR strategies that support a high-performing, mission-aligned, and people-focused

organization. The ideal candidate is a seasoned HR executive who brings vision,

operational discipline, and the ability to lead with empathy, innovation, and integrity. The

CHRO leads a team of 18 professionals, including Human Resources and Learning &

Development staff.

Why This Role Matters

Joining NYCERS as CHRO means becoming a key architect of the organization’s future.

This is an opportunity to build a modern HR organization, influence executive decision

making, shape organizational culture, and leave a lasting legacy by developing the next

generation of public service leaders. You will shape how we support, develop, and

empower our employees, ensuring that we continue to attract exceptional talent and

cultivate a workplace where every employee can grow and succeed. Your leadership will

have a lasting impact on the organization, our workforce, and the members, retirees, and

beneficiaries we have the privilege to serve.

Key Responsibilities

Execute a comprehensive HR People strategy aligned with the organization’s long

term goals

Serves as the organization's senior HR executive with authority over HR strategy,

policy development, and organizational workforce planning.

Oversee HR operations including Talent Acquisition, Labor Relations, Employee

and Labor Engagement, Benefits, Compensation, HR Technology, Learning &

Development, Performance Management and HR Compliance.

Foster a culture of trust, accountability, collaboration, and employee engagement
Oversee enterprise-wide leadership development, talent management initiatives to

strengthen succession planning

Partner with executives to anticipate workforce needs and drive organizational

change

Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local employment laws and labor

contracts

Partner with DEIB Committee to champion diversity, equity, inclusion, and

belonging efforts across the organization

Modernize HR systems, processes, and data reporting to improve organizational

transparency and efficiency

Serves as a trusted advisor to executive and division leadership, managers, and

employees

Lead and mentor the HR team, ensuring professional growth and operational

excellence

Preferred Skills and Experience

Master’s degree in Human Resources, Organizational Development, Business

Administration, Public Administration, or a related field

10+ years of progressively responsible HR leadership experience, including at

least 5 years at a senior or executive level

Demonstrated expertise overseeing complex HR functions in a mid-to-large

organization

Experience leading HR transformation, organizational development, or large-scale

change initiatives

Deep knowledge of employment rules and regulations, labor relations, HR

compliance, and workforce policies

Proven success building and leading high-performing teams
Strong skills in strategy development, communication, and executive-level

influence

Ability to establish trust and credibility with internal and external stakeholders
Experience in government, public sector, nonprofit, or unionized environments
Track record implementing modern HR technology or analytics solutions
Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging
Experience supporting large, distributed, or hybrid workforces
Background in improving employee engagement and workplace culture
SHRM-SCP, SPHR, or equivalent senior HR certification

Executive Competencies

Strategic thinker
Collaborative leader
Trusted advisor
Courageous decision-maker
Exceptional communicator
Change leader
High emotional intelligence