Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO)

The Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO) serves as the senior HR executive for Savannah River National Laboratory (SRNL), providing strategic leadership for human resources and serving as a key member of the Laboratory Leadership Team. Reporting to the Laboratory Director, this role is responsible for inspiring, developing and executing an integrated people strategy that enables SRNL to attract, develop, engage, and retain the talent necessary to advance the laboratory's mission. This is a rare opportunity to join a growing laboratory at an inflection point — where the people strategy built by the right leader won't just support the mission, it will help define it. The ideal candidate will be energized by the opportunity to build something impactful in a dynamic, science-driven environment.

The CHRO will serve as a trusted advisor to senior leadership on workforce strategy, organizational effectiveness, culture, talent management, compensation and benefits, employee relations, and organizational change. The successful candidate will combine strategic perspective with a practical, results-oriented leadership style and a demonstrated ability to build high-performing teams and strong organizational partnerships.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and develop a high-performing HR organization responsible for talent acquisition, compensation, benefits, employee relations, organizational development, workforce planning, HR systems, and related people programs.
• Partner with laboratory leadership to align workforce strategies with business and mission priorities.
• Serve as the principal advisor on organizational effectiveness, workforce planning, talent management, succession planning, and leadership development.
• Establish and maintain effective HR programs, policies, and practices that support compliance, performance, engagement, and employee well-being.
• Lead organizational change initiatives and continuous improvement efforts that enhance workforce effectiveness and operational excellence.
• Advance HR technology, analytics, and process improvements to improve efficiency, transparency, and decision-making . Leverage workforce analytics and data-driven insights to inform strategy and measure outcomes.
• Foster an inclusive, accountable, and high-performance culture.
• Build strong relationships with DOE, Battelle, laboratory leaders, and external partners. Represent SRNL HR in external forums as appropriate.
• Drive innovation in HR practices, policies, and programs to support a dynamic, science-driven organization.
• Maintain strict confidentiality and discretion in managing sensitive personnel matters.
• Ensure compliance with all federal, state, and local employment laws and regulations, including adherence to BSRA prime contract.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business, Organizational Leadership, or a related field.
• 15 years of significant progressive HR leadership experience with responsibility across multiple HR disciplines.
• Demonstrated experience advising and influencing senior executives on workforce and organizational matters.
• Deep knowledge of talent management, compensation and benefits, employee relations, organizational development, and workforce planning.
• Proven ability to lead organizational change and develop high-performing teams.
• Excellent communication, collaboration, judgment, and leadership skills.
• Experience working in a complex, regulated, or federally sponsored environment.
• For ability to obtain and maintain a security clearance, US Citizenship is Legally Required

Preferred Qualifications

• Advanced degree in a relevant field.
• Professional HR certification.
• Experience in a DOE laboratory, federal research environment, or similarly complex technical/R&D organization.
• Familiarity with government contracting, DOE requirements, Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR), and/or Department of Energy Acquisition Regulations (DEAR) regulations