Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer (Job ID: 2024-3561)

This search is being managed by WittKieffer, application materials, nominations, and inquiries can be directed to: BrookingsVPCHRO@wittkieffer.com

Join one of the most influential, most quoted and most trusted think tanks!

The Brookings Institution (Brookings) seeks an accomplished and visionary executive to serve in the critically important role of Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO). This is an exceptional opportunity to join one of the most influential think tanks to ensure the human resources function provides the best level of service for the Brookings community. The core of this charge is partnering with executive leadership in overseeing all aspects of human capital at Brookings at a time of strategic momentum, shaping a holistic culture across the Institution, and cultivating a sense of community and belonging, a commitment to a shared mission and shared accountability for Brookings' future success. 

Founded more than a century ago as the first independent organization devoted to public-policy research in the nation, the Brookings Institution is a nonprofit, nonpartisan public-policy organization based in Washington, D.C., that brings together leading experts from all over the world. Research topics cover a range of public policy issues in economics, foreign policy, global development, governance, and metropolitan policy. The Brookings community is dedicated to finding bold, pragmatic solutions for societal challenges through open-minded inquiry, diverse perspectives, and holding themselves to the highest standards of scholastic rigor.  

The CHRO will join Brookings at a time of significant momentum, with the arrival of President Cecilia E. Rouse in January 2024 and a strategic planning process underway to chart the path for the next chapter in Brookings' history. Reporting to the President and serving as a key member of the executive leadership team, the CHRO is responsible for providing executive-level leadership and guidance in all areas of human resources. The CHRO will work collaboratively across the Institution to continuously integrate high-quality services throughout all facets of the organization, facilitate change, and ensure that Brookings' workforce is engaged, flexible, and resilient to continue to differentiate the Institution in a competitive market. The CHRO serves as a trusted partner with institutional constituents, providing innovative and creative solutions and continuously building and maintaining relationships across the organization, with an emphasis on dynamic communication and collaboration.  

The incoming leader will have the opportunity to build upon the strengths of a dedicated human resources team of seventeen professionals and pursue initiatives supporting an employee base of approximately 420 scholars and staff, in addition to 300 affiliates and 125 yearly interns, that will have a lasting impact on the Institution. In July 2024, Brookings entered into a three-year Collective Bargaining Agreement with their staff union, representing approximately a third of Brookings' employees. Thus, the CHRO will be charged with continuing to maintain the productive relationship with the staff union and will be responsible for ensuring that the provisions of the collective bargaining agreement are understood and that the human resources staff are empowered to address any issues that arise.  

The successful candidate will be an innovative, highly driven executive and will possess broad human resources knowledge; expertise in strategic, collaborative, and consultative services; a sophisticated approach to organizational leadership; a commitment to and evidence of advancing diverse and inclusive workplaces; and demonstrated experience with workforce planning, organizational development, and advancing organizational and cultural change. This leader will also bring experience leading human resources staff and programs in complex, decentralized, and unionized environments and will demonstrate the core competencies and personal traits necessary for success, including emotional intelligence, sound judgment, strong problem-solving skills, diplomacy, political savvy, cultural awareness and sensitivity and personal confidence and humility. A bachelor's degree and at least ten years of progressive human resources leadership experience at the director level or above are required. An advanced degree and prior experience working in research, higher education, or non-profit organizations are preferred. 

Additional Information 

WittKieffer is assisting the Brookings Institution in this search. All applications, nominations, and inquiries are invited. Applications should include, as two separate documents, a CV or resume and a letter of interest addressing the themes in this profile. Professional references are not requested at this time.

For fullest consideration, candidate materials should be received by February 3, 2025.  

What can we offer you? Brookings provides a generous benefit package that is comprehensive and includes both traditional benefits and unique offerings. Our comprehensive benefits package includes medical, dental, and vision benefits, generous time off, and workplace flexibility. For more information, please visit Brookings Benefits.   

Position Location: This position is hybrid. Hybrid positions combine regular in-person presence at our Washington, DC office with the option of at least two days of remote work each week.

Related Documents: Brookings VP and CHRO Leadership Profile

Application materials, nominations, and inquiries can be directed to: BrookingsVPCHRO@wittkieffer.com or Sarah Palmer and Luis Bertot

Successful completion of a background investigation is required for employment at Brookings. 

Brookings welcomes and celebrates diversity in all its forms.  We welcome applications that reflect a variety of backgrounds based on ideology, race, ethnicity, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, veteran status, first generation college goers, and other factors protected by law. Brookings is proud to be an equal-opportunity employer that is committed to promoting a diverse and inclusive workplace.