Position Specification Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) President an

d Chief Executive Officer

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ghts Reserved.

POSITION SPECIFICATION Position Organization Headquarters Website

President and Chief Executive Officer The Society for Human Resource Management
(SHRM) Alexandria, VA (Washington DC Metro Area) www.shrm.org
ORGANIZATION BACKGROUND/CULTURE
The Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) is the worlds largest profession
al association devoted to human resource management. Its mission is to serve the
needs of HR professionals by providing the most current and comprehensive resou
rces, and to advance the profession by promoting HRs essential, strategic role. S
HRM provides its membership with education and information services, conferences
and seminars, government and media representation, online services and publicat
ions that equip human resources professionals for their roles as leaders and dec
ision makers within their organizations. Founded in 1948, SHRM has a staff of ov
er 300 and represents 250,000 individual members in over 140 countries. The orga
nization has an operating budget of approximately $100 million. Membership dues
comprises one-third of its total revenue with no other revenue source greater th
an 20% of the total organization. The Society on average has grown its revenues
annually with a total increase of 37% since 2003 and is expected to increase rev
enue by 8% in the next year. SHRMs Net Assets total $125 million including long-t
erm investments of $120 million. The organization has a network of more than 575
affiliated chapters in the United States, as well as offices in China and India
. SHRM has a strategy to grow its membership to a minimum of 400,000 by 2014. SH
RM is in a strong position to prepare human resources practitioners globally for
the nearterm and long-term business challenges.
KEY RESPONSIBILITES
Reporting to SHRMs Board of Directors and Chair, the new President and Chief Exec
utive Officer (CEO) is responsible for providing comprehensive leadership, strateg
ic vision, operating management and market representation for the SHRM organizat
ion and the HR profession as a whole. He/She will be responsible for leading the
largest association focused on human resources management. This executive will
have the unique opportunity to impact the future in a meaningful and measurable
way. Specifically, this executive will: Develop and implement an effective, well
-defined strategy to advance the HR profession through serving/growing and/or ev
olving SHRMs membership both domestically and
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internationally. This will also include aggressively exploring new strategic cha
nnels, including alliances and business combinations. Serve as the primary spoke
sperson for the organization with the media, industry analysts, executives, and
government officials. Develop and support the Board members in their roles as fi
duciaries of the organization by keeping them regularly engaged and promoting th
eir involvement in SHRMs mission and growth. Proactively provide well thought out
direction, strategies, and recommendations to the Board for consideration, guid
ance and approval. Have P&L responsibility for an organization of 300 employees
as well as be responsible for volunteer leaders and the business community. He/S
he will ensure that the organizations human capital is effectively developed and
managed to carry out SHRMs strategy. Establish, develop and maintain key external
relationships, including with SHRM members, thought leaders (Business, HR, Gove
rnment, Academia, etc), Strategic Partners, Government Officials, Corporate (Priv
ate Sector Both United States and Global), Human Resources organizations, Media,
and the Association community. Establish, develop and maintain key internal rel
ationships, including with the SHRM Board, SHRM staff, Human Resource Certificat
ion Institute (HRCI), SHRM Foundation, SHRM Membership Advisory Council (MAC), a
nd SHRM Special Expertise Panels. Serve as a strategic and hands-on leader of th
is large association helping to foster a transparent, business-oriented environm
ent while putting in programs and processes that help the organization behave li
ke a corporate entity.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE / QUALIFICATIONS

SHRMs new President and CEO will exhibit exceptional leadership qualities and a s
trong public image with a proven track record of results. Specifically, he/she w
ill: Possess a minimum of 15 years of experience with at least 10 years in execu
tive positions. He/She will have had direct management/P&L responsibility, ideal
ly as a CEO of a growing, complex for-profit or not-for-profit organization with
a global focus. True P&L experience is required; additional experience in HR is
a plus. Previous experience working closely with a Board of Directors is ideal.
Have substantial global experience, including scaling a business across interna
tional markets. Be both strategic and tactical with a proven track record of inn
ovation and results. He/She will have experience taking an organization to the ne
xt level. This executive will be well rounded and savvy with a marketing orientat
ion and strong financial and business acumen. Have experience positively influen
cing the culture of an organization. Be a strong leader and motivator, able to i
nspire multiple constituencies with similar yet varying objectives. This executi
ve will have proven experience gaining buy-in as he/she helps lead an organizati
on to meet aggressive objectives.
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 Have a proven track record of hiring, developing, mentoring, motivating, and emp
owering a diverse workforce to advance goals. Ensure that the team remains engag
ed, motivated and enthusiastic about the direction of the organization and their
specific impact on that direction. Proven ability to lead cross functional team
s and coordinate and manage complex projects with outside partners. This will in
clude achieving objectives while working through people and teams of people. Has
a demonstrated ability to develop products and services that align with a parti
cular strategy or long range business plan, and which are financially self susta
ining. Possess a strong executive presence and public image and will represent t
he organization to the highest levels in business and government as well as the
entire HR community. He/She will be an exceptional communicator with experience
clearly articulating complex content to diverse stakeholders thereby enticing th
em to move in a particular direction. Must have strong listening skills and a su
ccessful track record as a spokesperson before media and other audiences, includ
ing large live audiences. Possess understanding and appreciation of the human re
sources function at all levels of an organization. Familiarity working with legi
slative processes and governmental entities, including non-U.S, is a plus.
EDUCATION Undergraduate degree required; graduate degree such as an MBA a decide
d plus. Experience in
the field of HR highly desirable.
KORN/FERRY CONTACT(S) Kim Shanahan Senior Client Partner Managing Director, Nort
hern Virginia (703) 873-3211 Direct Kim.Shanahan@kornferry.com Matt Page Client
Partner (202) 955-0958 Direct Matthew.Page@kornferry.com
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