Help Wanted

When UC-Berkeley looks for someone to hire, it isn’t just a matter of putting up a sign, even though it is “financially secure.”  From a recent email:

Our client, the University of California, Berkeley, is seeking a Human Resources Leader that desires a blank slate opportunity to develop and drive the HR Policy and Practice function in a brand new direction, advancing the legacy of success on behalf of an institution that has been ranked as high as third in the world, a premier, internationally renowned, financially secure teaching and research university that is consistently rated among the best in the U.S. and abroad. 

We are looking for a true leader with a strategic mindset and a demonstrated record as an innovative HR professional, who would enjoy a leadership role with broad autonomy and support within an organization that views the HR Policy and Practice function as one of the most essential foundational elements for long-term success and advancement of the institution. Here you will find a progressive, mission-oriented, student-focused institution and team with broad vision and a depth of passion to match your own.

You may wish to share meaningful referrals whom you feel are professionally prepared to step up to a role at this level. If so, your referrals are warmly welcomed, and we thank you in advance for forwarding this email on to your colleagues.

Or, if you have personal interest in the role… It’s a given that you are likely “not looking” and “happy” where you are. Yet, as an intelligent capable performer you discerned long ago from your own experiences that the best candidates are those who are “not looking”. Recall, too, that in all likelihood, you were “productive”, “happy” and “not looking” when you departed your previous role to be in the chair in which you sit today. You and I both know and understand this. This is precisely among the key reasons this missive is in your hands.

One of the Best in the Nation and the World Become part of a University ranked with and measured by the nation’s — and the world’s — best in scope of scholarship, research, undergraduate and graduate level programs. The institution is home to multiple academic schools, premier graduate programs, and one of the foremost Research Centers in the world where breakthrough research happens every day.

Key Indicators of a Unique Career-Making Opportunity Perform as a key, strategic leader on behalf of a positively viewed, market-leading, diverse, financially solid organization with worldwide recognition and extensive international affiliations.

Help design, engineer and build a new approach to HR Policy and Practice on behalf of a premier, globally ranked, financially sound university and renowned research institution with distinguished post graduate and top-ranked undergraduate programs.

•Enjoy the autonomy to bring your best ideas and create the ideal model within an environment where you will be listened to, heard and affirmed. Make a major positive contribution to the advancement of university initiatives and employee relations by helping in the restructuring of central HR units to align with a brand new shared services center currently under development.

Join a comprehensive university offering over 7,000 courses in nearly 300 degree programs. The university awards over 5,500 bachelor’s degrees, 2,000 master’s degrees, 900 doctorates, and 200 law degrees each year.

The institution’s current faculty includes 221 American Academy of Arts and Sciences Fellows, 2 Fields Medal winners, 83 Fulbright Scholars, 139 Guggenheim Fellows, 87 members of the National Academy of Engineering, 132 members of the National Academy of Sciences, 8 Nobel Prize winners, 3 Pulitzer Prize winners, 84 Sloan Fellows, and 7 Wolf Prize winners.

• 61 Nobel Laureates are associated with the university, the sixth most of any university in the world; twenty have served on its faculty.

In a National Research Council analysis of 212 doctoral programs at American universities, 48 of the university’s programs place among the top 10 nationwide. Also according to the National Research Council, the institution ranks first nationally in the number of graduate programs in the top ten in their fields (97%, 35 of 36 programs) and first nationally in the number of “distinguished” programs for the scholarship of the faculty (32 programs).

Here you will find the only university in the nation to achieve top 5 rankings for all of its PhD programs in those disciplines covered by the U.S. News and World Report graduate school survey.

• In addition to its distinguished post-graduate programs, U.S. News also consistently ranks the university as the nation’s top undergraduate public university and within the top three overall for both Undergraduate Business and Undergraduate Engineering. U.S. News & World Report recently ranked the undergraduate program twenty-first nationally in terms of “academic excellence.”

In its 2007 annual college rankings, The Washington Monthly ranks the university third nationally with criteria based on research, community service, and social mobility.

The THES-QS World University Rankings ranked the institution eighth in the world in 2006, and the Shanghai Jiao Tong University Institute for Higher Education ranked it third in the world in its 2007 rankings. In the 2006 international edition of Newsweek, the institution was the fifth-ranked global university.  

A Truly Distinctive Locale 
Chosen candidate will discover a progressive professional environment where career achievement, advancement and satisfaction are matched by an optimal quality of life in a favored bayside city recognized for academic achievement, scientific exploration, the arts, beautiful locale, and Mediterranean climate. This is a conscientious city with a focus on greenery and the environment, with renowned botanical gardens and easy access to myriad forms of outdoor recreation and entertainment. Outstanding opportunities for active or spectator sports; cultural opportunities include museums, collections, music, art, dance, historical sites. Excellent public and private schools—kindergarten through post-graduate. Amenities of value for all ages.

It’s all here for the strong, ambitious human resources leader professionally prepared to embrace this superb opportunity.

Next Steps
As a seasoned leader, you are accustomed to gathering sufficient data and conducting your due diligence to make an informed intelligent decision when significant opportunities arise. From a career perspective, this is one of those opportunities and times.My office can discreetly contact your AA to compare calendars for a confidential conversation.
Let’s talk about this unique opportunity and next steps. Go ahead and enter a confidential and personal process of due diligence today. Pick up the phone, dial 1-817-236-2207and speak with Senior Se
arch Consultant Stephanie Franklin. It’s the only way to truly determine if this is right for you. If necessary, leave a message with times when you can receive a call during the workday.

Yes, it’s confidential and we are retained.
Be sure to give a direct or mobile number where we may reach you easily. Then, go ahead and send your resume to Policy&Practice@WhelessPartners.com.

Having your information in hand is always conducive to a more meaningful exploratory conversation.

Anticipate advancing our discussions regarding this prized opportunity.

May we chat…. what do you suggest…?

Best regards,

Gene
Gene Head, Managing Partner & Division President
Stephanie Franklin, Senior Search Consultant | 817.236.2207

Wheless Partners | The Catalyst for Extraordinary Leadership
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Wheless Partners provides an array of leadership consulting services, Succession Planning, Talent Mapping and Board, Executive and Management search services to include Board of Directors, Chancellor, President, Chief Executive, Chief Officers, and other executive, senior and mid-level management roles. The firm’s contributions include executive and management leadership to internationally known and Fortune 100 organizations, mid-size corporations, and advancing small enterprises. Additionally, Wheless Partners has demonstrated expertise in conducting assignments on behalf of foundations, governmental agencies, and non-profit organizations. According to the sentinel guide of the leadership and search industry, John Lucht’s Rites of Passage At $100,000 to $1 Million+, these efforts have resulted in the firm being continuously ranked among the top search and leadership consulting firms.

I’m sure if they keep looking, they’ll find someone:
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