Chief Human Resource Officer; EMS

Chief Human Resource Officer (EMS
3)

This position will remain open until filled - initial review of candidates on 9/1

At the Department of Commerce, we’re reimagining what’s possible in government. We’re builders, thinkers, and change-makers, working at the intersection of innovation, community, and impact. From unlocking critical funding to fueling inclusive economic growth, we’re turning big ideas into real-world solutions that uplift people and places.

Our agency’s strength lies in the diversity of our work force and the breadth of the lived experiences and perspectives employees bring to the work. We believe equity is not just a value but a practice, which is reflected in how we design programs, engage communities, and deliver outcomes. We foster a workplace culture where curiosity is encouraged, bold thinking is welcomed, and collaboration drives our impact.

Let’s build what’s next, together.

Reporting to the Chief Operating Officer within the Office of Operations, the Chief Human Resource Officer (CHRO) is a member of the agency’s Executive Leadership Team and has direct oversight of the Human Resources Division (HRD) that puts people first by fostering a human-centered employee lifecycle that supports growth, strengthens leadership, and helps Commerce employees navigate change with trust and confidence.

This position is responsible for developing and advancing the agency's long-term human resource strategy and policies, and for clearly understanding the unique operations and strategic business needs by crafting strategies that support the agency's administrations and divisions, which each provide crucial support and services to communities across Washington State.

This role can be based in Olympia or Seattle, with hybrid work flexibility.

The CHRO provides executive leadership, overall direction, and strategic vision for HRD and is accountable for the highest-risk HR functions under the agency’s oversight when no precedent exists. This position develops and executes the HR long-term strategic plans, goals, and objectives, ensuring they align with the agency’s overall strategic goals, and directs HR operations to achieve agency goals and statewide uniformity in workforce management.

As an appointing authority, this position, through subordinate managers, is independently responsible for a diverse set of programs that require effective leadership, communication, and approaches that leverage HRD resources.

• Classification and Compensation
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  Provides visionary leadership in the formulation and execution of the agency’s comprehensive compensation strategy, ensuring a cohesive and robust framework for classification and compensation activities. Champions strategic initiatives, including succession planning, workforce analytics, process optimization, and cross-functional communications. Integrates classification and compensation policies with the agency’s Collective Bargaining Agreements (CBA), Washington Administrative Code (WAC), Revised Code of Washington (RCW), and federal and state employment laws to drive organizational alignment and compliance.
  
  Oversees the agency’s development of the classification and compensation proposals for equitable compensation outcomes. Guides the development and implementation of forward-thinking classification and compensation methodologies that advance workforce development priorities and position the agency as an employer of choice.
• Talent Acquisition and Recruitment
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  Provides strategic oversight of the agency’s recruitment operations, ensuring compliance with all relevant laws, executive directives, policies, and the CBA. This role ensures that HRD has a comprehensive process for sourcing,…