Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO)

Join our team at East River Electric Power Cooperative! We are seeking an experienced and strategic Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO) to lead, manage, and provide vision for all employment activities within the Cooperative. In this key role, you will be an integral part of the senior leadership team, collaborating with others to cultivate a high-performing culture that reflects the Cooperative's mission, values, and strategic goals. The ideal candidate will possess extensive knowledge of employment law, benefits administration, workforce planning, and talent management. If you are a strategic thinker with a passion for people and a proven history of driving organizational change, we encourage you to join our team!

About East River Electric Power Cooperative: East River Electric is a not-for-profit generation and transmission cooperative formed in 1949 with a main office in Madison, South Dakota. We deliver wholesale power to our members, which include 24 rural electric distribution cooperatives and one municipally-owned electric system covering 40,000 square miles in eastern South Dakota and western Minnesota. Our members, in turn, power the properties of the member-owners in their service territories. We believe cooperatives help build stronger communities. The four Touchstone Energy® Cooperative values of integrity, accountability, innovation and commitment to community are our foundation. These values represent the cooperative difference and why our members trust us to provide reliable and affordable power and service every day.

A Day in the Life of Our Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO)
As a valued member of our senior leadership team, you have the opportunity to help foster a culture of transparency, collaboration, and accountability. In the CHRO role, you help guide and shape decision making by using human resources best practices, looking at risk from both an employee and an organizational perspective. East River's senior leadership team enjoys a collaborative environment, contributing collectively to strategy development and execution. Your role is integral to helping steer East River towards a promising future, ensuring our strategic goals align with those of our members. The CHRO role significantly contributes within the senior leadership team to empower all staff to reach organizational goals. The ideal candidate enjoys supporting the success of their peers and boosting employee performance by instilling a culture that enhances the employee experience, optimizes employee benefits, and supports professional development objectives.

You lead the Administrative Services Division consisting of 13 professional staff within the human resources, administrative, and facilities teams. As the CHRO, you will have the opportunity to shape the future of our organization by developing and implementing HR strategies that enhance employee engagement, drive performance, and support our growth objectives. Your key responsibilities include:

• Leading the development and execution of HR initiatives that align with Cooperative goals.
• Overseeing talent acquisition, retention, and development to ensure we attract and retain top talent, promoting a high-performance culture.
• Managing the compensation function, ensuring pay practices are consistently administered in compliance with internal policies and government regulations.
• Cultivating a workplace culture where all employees feel valued.
• Advising senior leadership on HR-related issues and providing insights on emerging trends in human resource management.
• Ensuring compliance with employment laws and regulations while promoting ethical practices across the organization.
• Collaborating with cross-functional teams to integrate HR strategies into broader organizational plans, enhancing overall efficiency and alignment with our strategic objectives.
• Evaluating, optimizing, and administering employee benefits programs that meet the different needs of our workforce, ensuring competitive offerings that support employee satisfaction and retention.

Showcase Your Knowledge, Abilities, and Expertise. Do you have?

• A bachelor's degree in business administration, human resources, or a related field. (Advanced degree is preferred but not required.)
• At least ten years' experience in human resources management, with at least five years in a leadership role.
• Certification as a senior HR professional through SHRM or HRCI is preferred.
• Strong knowledge of HR best practices, employment law, and compliance regulations.
• Exceptional leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Demonstrated proficiency with computer technology and experience with data analytics.
• Valid driver's license.

Our Cooperative Community
As a cooperative, we do things differently! The decisions we make are made with our members in mind. We've built our foundation on Touchstone Energy's four cooperative values: integrity, accountability, innovation, and commitment to community. These values represent the cooperative difference, which is why we value things like community outreach, teamwork, and work-life balance.

This incredible job opportunity awaits you at our main campus in Madison, South Dakota. Madison offers a warm and welcoming small-town atmosphere combined with modern amenities that make it the perfect place for you and your family. Take advantage of great resources like the state-of-the-art Madison Regional Hospital, experience the innovative campus of Dakota State University, enjoy a thriving community center, and more.

Benefits that Matter
At East River, we value your well-being and want you to thrive. That's why we provide a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

• Retirement pension plan and contribution to a 401(k) savings plan
• Medical insurance with employer contribution to a Health Savings Account (HSA)
• Access to a wellness program and financial planning resources
• Generous paid time off, including vacation, sick leave, and holidays
• Opportunities to support community activities and charitable events

Want to learn more about East River? Visit our website's career pages and hear what our current employees have to say.

Questions? Contact hr@eastriver.coop or (605) 256-4536.

Visit our Careers Page to apply. Applications accepted through May 4, 2025, with interviews expected to begin the week of May 12.

This institution is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

All positions are subject to a post-offer, pre-employment background check and drug screen. Some positions may be subject to a job-based physical exam.