University of South
Florida seeks a Vice President and Chief People Officer
Click here to view position profile: https://summitsearchsolutions.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/USF_VPChiefPeopleOfficer_Profile.pdf
Location: Tampa, Florida
The Position:
The University seeks a strategic and
collaborative Vice President and Chief People Officer (VP-CPO) to lead the
university’s people strategy at a defining moment in its evolution. With
approximately 16,000 employees, the University of South Florida is one of the
largest employers in the Tampa Bay area. USF is dedicated to cultivating a
talented, engaged, and driven workforce that strives to be bold. Employees
excel in USF‘s rich academic environment, which fosters their development and
advancement.
As the university celebrates its 70th
year and builds on its membership in the AAU, the VP-CPO will focus on ensuring
that USF is a place where faculty and staff choose to build their careers,
supporting and promoting an environment where employees contribute to the
university’s continued success and further position USF as a destination of
choice for top talent.
Reporting to the Senior Vice
President and Chief Administrative Officer, the VP-CPO serves as a member of
USF leadership and provides direction for the university’s human resources
strategy and operations. This role brings a current and practical approach to
how the university supports its workforce, with a focus on leadership
capability, talent development, and effective service delivery. The VP-CPO will
lead efforts to strengthen and align human resources across the university and
ensure systems, services, and practices are aligned with the needs of a complex
and growing institution.
Description and Primary Purpose:
The VP-CPO provides strategic
leadership and oversight for the university’s human resources operations,
aligning workforce planning, organizational design, and talent priorities with
USF’s mission and institutional goals. Serving as a trusted advisor to USF
leadership, this role guides decisions related to leadership effectiveness,
workforce risks, and organizational health, while advancing a more consistent
and effective approach to recruiting, developing, and retaining employees. The
VP-CPO will lead efforts to move the university beyond a transactional model of
human resources, toward a more aligned and integrated approach that enhances
USF’s ability to attract, develop, and retain top-tier talent.
Key functional areas of oversight
include benefits, compensation, employee and labor relations, continuous
process improvement, embedded services, employee experience, recruiting,
service delivery, and talent development. Leading a team of over 100 staff
across the division, the VP/CPO develops organizational strategies and
implements best-in-class HR initiatives, programs, and support across the
University. Through this structure, the role ensures that services operate in a
coordinated and consistent manner across the institution, supporting a strong
employee experience and a workforce prepared to meet the needs of a large and
evolving university.
In addition, the VP-CPO provides
oversight of human resources operations, service delivery, and systems,
including Oracle HCM Cloud. The role will work in close partnership with
colleges and administrative units to strengthen relationships across USF, further
develop embedded and shared HR services, and refine how these services operate
to ensure they are effective, consistent, and responsive to the needs of the
university. This role uses workforce data to inform decisions, track progress,
and ensure systems and processes are effective, compliant, and aligned with the
needs of a large and evolving university.
Qualifications:
Required:
- Bachelor’s
degree or an equivalent combination of education and directly related
experience.
- Minimum
of 15 years of progressively responsible experience in human resources,
people strategy, organizational development, or executive leadership.
- Minimum
of 7 years of senior leadership or executive-level management experience.
- In accordance with Florida Senate Bill 1310,
required education may be substituted with additional years of directly
related experience as permitted by law.
Preferred:
- Experience
leading a comprehensive human resources or people function in a large,
public institution of higher education, with responsibility for strategy,
operations, and service delivery.
- Advanced
degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Organizational
Development, Psychology, or a related field.
- Demonstrated
experience advising presidents, executive leadership teams, or governing
boards.
- Experience
with executive coaching, leadership development, and succession planning.
- Familiarity with multi-campus,
public-sector, unionized, and highly regulated environments.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
- Enterprise-level
strategic thinking with the ability to translate vision into execution.
- Strong
executive presence, political acumen, and credibility with senior leaders.
- Expertise
in leadership development, organizational change, and workforce analytics.
- Ability
to influence, coach, and partner effectively across diverse stakeholder
groups.
- Excellent oral and written communication
skills and a high degree of integrity and professionalism.
Why Consider the
Opportunity:
- In 2025, Forbes recognized USF as one
of Florida’s best large employers, ranked
No. 1 among the state’s 12 public universities.
- USF offers a
comprehensive benefits package,
including medical, dental, and life insurance; retirement plan options; an
employee assistance program; employee and dependent tuition assistance;
generous leave; and hundreds of perks and discounts.
- USF is led by Dr. Moez Limayem, a
recently appointed President bringing new energy and a depth of related
experience with the
institution, the region, and advancing academics broadly.
- USF arts, culture,
and athletic events include a
contemporary art museum featuring more than 5,000 holdings; high-level
collegiate athletics including the South Florida Bulls football team; and
free admission to USF’s College of the Arts performances at multiple
venues.
- The Vice President
& Chief People Officer role features executive-level
visibility and influence, significant scope and scale, and an opportunity
to lead meaningful organizational transformation in a nationally ascending AAU research institution.
To Apply:
A confidential review of applications
will begin immediately and continue until the position has been filled. For
full consideration, individuals are encouraged to apply by July 31, 2026.
Please submit a PDF version of your letter of application outlining your
interest and related experience and record of success, along with your resume.
To Apply Online: https://theapplicantmanager.com/jobs?pos=su512
Caitlin Hummel
Senior Consultant
Summit Search Solutions, Inc.
585-880-7550
chummel@summitsearchsolutions.com
Public Records Notice: As a public
institution in the state of Florida, the university is subject to compliance
with Florida's Public Records Law (Chapter 119, Florida Statutes) and the
Government in the Sunshine Law.
By applying, you understand and
accept that your application materials may be shared as required by Florida’s
public records and sunshine laws. If you have any questions or concerns, please
reach out to Beth Baldino, Summit Search Consultant before
submitting a formal application.
The University of South Florida is an
equal opportunity employer that does not discriminate against any employee or
applicant for employment based on any characteristic protected by law. The
University maintains affirmative action programs for protected veterans and
individuals with disabilities in accordance with all applicable federal and
state laws. This job description does not constitute an employment contract.