Chief Human Resources Officer
Smithfield, RI
Bryant University seeks an innovative, visionary, and strategic Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO) to join the University during a time of bold transformation. Located in Smithfield, RI, the University focuses on innovation, experiential learning, and developing purpose-driven leaders. This moment offers a pivotal opportunity for the next CHRO to shape the HR function at a dynamic university that has consistently evolved to meet the needs of its students, faculty, and the broader community.
Bryant is a university on the rise. The Wall Street Journal recognized Bryant as in the top five percent of American colleges, and Georgetown University ranked Bryant in the top one percent for lifetime earnings. Ninety-nine percent of graduates are employed or in graduate school within six months of graduation, and as of May 2025, Bryant received a record 1,100 plus deposits for the Class of 2029 while improving the selectivity rate. Additional highlights can be found in the President’s Impact Report.
Reporting directly to President Ross Gittell, the CHRO will serve as a trusted advisor and key Cabinet member. They will lead and oversee all aspects of human resources, including labor relations, executive compensation, organizational development, compliance, talent strategy, and more. The CHRO will work closely with talented HR team to foster a culture of equity, engagement, and professional growth across the campus community. With three active labor unions and a talented, multifaceted workforce, this role calls for a leader with exceptional emotional intelligence, communication skills, and a record of success in unionized environments.
Additionally, ideal candidates will bring a minimum of 15 years of progressive HR leadership experience, with at least five years at the senior executive level. A bachelor’s degree is required (master’s preferred), along with demonstrated excellence in strategic planning, change management, and the use of modern HR technologies and analytics. This is an exceptional opportunity for a collaborative, forward-thinking leader to make a lasting impact at an institution committed to innovation, student success, and community.
Additional information can be found in the full leadership profile, linked here. Screening will begin immediately and continue until an appointment is made.
DSG Storbeck has been exclusively retained for this engagement, which Carly Rose DiGiovanni and Anne Koellhoffer are leading. Application materials (including a CV and cover letter) should be submitted using DSG Storbeck’s Talent Profile, and all inquiries are strictly confidential. If you wish to nominate a prospective candidate or have questions regarding this role, please reach out to us at BryantCHRO@StorbeckSearch.com
Carly Rose DiGiovanni EdD, Managing Director
Anne Koellhoffer, Managing Associate
BryantCHRO@StorbeckSearch.com
Bryant University is committed to a policy and practice of equal opportunity and affirmative action. It is the intention of Bryant to make all efforts reasonably possible to live up to its EEO Policy and the commitments made in its Affirmative Action Program. Bryant does, and will continue to, provide all applicants for employment and all employees with equal opportunity for employment and promotion regardless of race, color, religion, sex, sexual preference or orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, ethnicity, disability, veteran or marital status. This commitment to equal employment opportunity includes all other personnel actions, such as, transfers, disciplinary actions and procedures, layoffs, Bryant-sponsored training, social and recreational programs or activities, rates of pay, educational assistance (tuition reimbursement), and all other conditions of employment. Management at all levels will abide by federally mandated regulations in incorporating affirmative action into its procedures. There will be a good faith effort to increase the consideration, promotion, hiring, and effective utilization of minorities and females in all job categories and organizational units/departments in accordance with the Affirmative Action Program. Minorities and females are encouraged to take the fullest advantage of the opportunities available at Bryant. Bryant intends to fulfill the spirit of equal employment opportunity and affirmative action by ensuring that its relationships with prospective and present employees are open and free from bias.