Chief Human Resources Officer positions set tone for companies
At the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, amid domestic and international upheaval that included tough conversations about race, class and the death of George Floyd at the hands of law enforcement, Donna Morris, the Executive Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer at Walmart made a thoughtful and impassioned appeal for civility, an act not typically included in CHRO job listings.
With a worldwide workforce of more than 2 million associates, 21 percent who are African American and even more at the lower end of the socio-economic ladder, she delivered a master-class report on Diversity Equity and Inclusion that business students and professionals will study for decades to come. Morris discussed her own path to becoming a U.S. citizen from Canada starting in 2002, her rise through the ranks at Adobe and elsewhere before joining Walmart to reach and live the American Dream along with her husband and son.
“The disparate impact COVID-19 has had on communities of color, the murder of George Floyd, and the necessary and long overdue examination of systemic racial inequity in this country,” Morris writes in the report, “have all led me to conclude that the American dream is not the same for all people.”
In a (recent) age of political correctness, such frank and candid dialog is unheard of – and refreshing – and represents a sea change that has led to increased job satisfaction, retention and improved DEI KPIs and other metrics at one of the world’s largest retailers.
As you consider your next career move, read on to learn more about Chief Human Resources Officer jobs, CHRO positions, and unique healthcare CHRO jobs or Chief Human Resources Officer positions in healthcare.
What is a Chief Human Resources Officer and what are CHRO jobs?
This C-level position is much more than a clearing house for company benefits, onboarding and training functions, or on the flip side, the disciplinary arm of a company. CHRO jobs entail setting the policies and culture of a company in addition to the aforementioned functions, as well as being responsible for recruiting talent and working with other company leaders to address workforce needs or reductions. Chief Human Resources Officer positions serve as a positive booster of company initiatives, a cheerleader and megaphone, communicating important milestones, policies and directives.
Chief Human Resources Officer positions collaborate with other C-Level executives, namely the CFO, CTO, COO and of course the CEO, to manage budgets and to create staffing and technology alignment that propels a company forward.
Most Chief Human Resources Officer opportunities require a Master Degree in Human Resources, Social Work or Business Administration in addition to a Bachelor’s Degree. Advanced certification as a Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR) should also be expected of most Chief Human Resources Officer roles due to the complexity of most large, multi-national companies, federal regulations and changing technology landscape. Strong soft skills and at least 10-15 years of human resources experience are typical for top CHRO jobs.
Are CHRO positions in demand and what do Chief Human Resources Officer jobs pay?
Compensation management platform Payscale.com reports that CHRO jobs range from $98,000 to $282,000 in annual salary and bonus combined, based on their reporting sample size of about 730 participants. Of course, for top Chief Human Resources Officer positions, like those of Ms. Morris at Walmart, the total compensation package reaches into the millions. Reports show that she has redeemed thousands of shares of Walmart stock valued at more than $30 million during the past decade.
So how is outlook? The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that management roles in human resources are expected to “grow faster than average” through 2032 at an annualized rate of 5 percent each year, which speaks to a growing economy, an aging population that will need to be replaced in the workplace, and changes in policy and technologies that will require strong leadership.
You’re resourceful, resilient and conferring with Forbes.jobs for your next and best Chief Human Resources Officer position. Like Ms. Morris, a naturalized citizen working for one of the world’s largest employers, you’re ready to make a statement.
