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Chief Human Resources Officer
Milwaukee, WI, USPosted 1 weeks ago
remote
Job Description
Chief Human Resources Officer
Department of Human Resources
Annual Salary Range: $159,494.40 - $239,262.40
Lead the Future of Public Service
Are you a visionary human resources executive who believes people are an organization's greatest asset? Do you thrive in complex environments where strategy, leadership, innovation, and public impact intersect?
Milwaukee County is seeking an exceptional Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO) to lead human capital strategy for one of Wisconsin's largest and most diverse employers. This is an opportunity to shape the employee experience, drive organizational transformation, and make a meaningful impact on the lives of more than 950,000 residents.
Why Milwaukee County?
Milwaukee County serves as the economic and cultural heart of Wisconsin. With more than 4,000 employees across public safety, transportation, parks, health and human services, airport operations, and administrative functions, our workforce is committed to strengthening communities and improving lives every day.
As CHRO, you will join the County Executive's leadership team and help build a workplace where employees thrive, leaders grow, and innovation drives results.
What You'll Do
As the County's senior human resources executive, you will:
✔ Develop and execute a comprehensive human capital strategy aligned with Milwaukee County's mission and goals.
✔ Lead teams responsible for:
Talent Acquisition
Talent Management
Leadership Development
Employee & Labor Relations
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
Compensation & Benefits
Retirement Services
Organizational Development
Performance Management
Change Management
✔ Inspire a high-performing HR team of approximately 60 professionals.
✔ Partner with elected officials, department leaders, boards, commissions, and community stakeholders.
✔ Drive workforce engagement, retention, succession planning, and leadership development initiatives.
✔ Serve as a trusted advisor on organizational effectiveness, workforce planning, labor relations, and compensation strategy.
✔ Build innovative HR solutions that support a modern, inclusive, and service-focused organization.
What Makes This Opportunity Unique?
Make a Difference Through Public Service
Every decision you make impacts thousands of employees and nearly one million residents throughout Milwaukee County.
Executive Visibility & Influence
Work directly with senior leadership, elected officials, and key decision-makers to shape organizational strategy.
Lead Transformation
Build upon an established HR foundation while advancing innovative talent initiatives and workforce modernization efforts.
Strong Team in Place
Join an experienced HR organization with deep institutional knowledge and a track record of success.
Dynamic & Diverse Workforce
Lead human capital strategy across multiple industries and professions—from healthcare and public safety to transportation and parks operations.
What We're Looking For
Required Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree in human resources, Business, or equivalent
5+ years of progressive senior HR leadership experience
Proven experience leading large, complex teams and organizations
Strong understanding of strategic human resources management
Experience with workforce planning, talent acquisition, employee engagement, and retention strategies
Demonstrated success navigating complex organizational or political environments
Experience working in union and non-union environments
Knowledge of federal, state, and local employment laws and regulations
Strong analytical skills with the ability to leverage data for strategic decision-making
Exceptional leadership, communication, coaching, and relationship-building skills
Preferred Qualifications
Master's Degree, MBA, or advanced degree
Public sector experience
Experience leading organizational transformation and change management initiatives
Expertise in compensation strategy and workforce modernization
SHRM-SCP, SPHR, or equivalent certification
The Ideal Candidate
You are:
A strategic thinker who sees the big picture
A relationship-builder who earns trust quickly
A courageous leader who drives accountability and results
A collaborative partner who influences across diverse stakeholder groups
A change agent who embraces innovation
Passionate about public service and community impact
Skilled at balancing competing priorities while maintaining transparency and integrity
Join Us
This is more than a CHRO role—it's an opportunity to shape the future of public service in one of the Midwest's most vibrant communities.
If you're ready to lead, innovate, and leave a lasting impact on Milwaukee County's workforce and the community we serve, we encourage you to apply.
Closing Date: June 25th or upon receipt of the first 50 application submissions