Chief Human Resource Officer (CHRO)

Fahrenheit Advisors has been retained by our client Cary Street Partners in Richmond VA to hire their Chief Human Resource Officer.

Position Overview

Cary Street Partners is seeking an experienced and strategic Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO) to lead and evolve the firms people function during a period of significant growth. This role has enterprise-wide responsibility for human resources strategy operations and culture while remaining deeply connected to employees and leaders across the firm.

Based five days per week in the downtown Richmond VA office the Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO) will lead a team of three HR professionals and serve as a trusted advisor to senior leadership. The role reports directly to the Chief Strategy Officer / Co-Founder and will partner closely with executive leadership to ensure the HR function scales thoughtfully while preserving CSPs strong people-first culture.

This leader will be hands-on highly credible and capable of operating at both the strategic and operational levelsbringing greater structure depth and foresight to areas such as talent development compensation strategy performance management organizational design compliance and HR support for acquisitions.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership & Organizational Development

• Develop and execute a comprehensive human resources strategy aligned with firm objectives and long-term growth plans.
• Serve as a strategic partner to executive leadership on organizational design workforce planning succession planning and culture.
• Lead change management initiatives related to growth acquisitions and evolving business needs.
• Balance the need for increased structure and scalability with the preservation of CSPs relational high-trust culture.

Talent Lifecycle Management

• Oversee the full employee lifecycle including recruiting onboarding development performance management engagement and offboarding.
• Strengthen and formalize performance management coaching leadership development and succession planning programs.
• Improve onboarding consistency and effectiveness particularly as new teams and offices are integrated through acquisitions.

Compensation Benefits & HR Operations

• Lead the development and ongoing refinement of competitive compensation and benefits strategies including market data analysis.
• Partner closely with Finance and Accounting to improve commission structures processes and accuracy.
• Oversee payroll benefits administration and HR systems to ensure efficiency accuracy and compliance. (Paylocity)
• Serve as a thoughtful and trusted voice on compensation matters with leaders and employees.

Compliance Risk & Legal Partnership

• Ensure compliance with all federal state and local employment laws and regulations.
• Oversee employment agreements policies and HR practices related to acquisitions and growth.
• Partner with internal and external legal resources bringing strong judgment and legal fluency to increasingly complex employment matters.

M&A and Growth Support

• Analyze human capital implications of mergers and acquisitions and lead HR integration planning and execution.
• Support onboarding and cultural integration of newly acquired teams while respecting appropriate autonomy.
• Help scale HR capabilities to support an active acquisition pipeline.

Team Leadership & Development

• Lead mentor and develop a high-performing HR team of three professionals.
• Assess team structure capacity and future needs including potential additional HR resources.
• Foster collaboration accountability and professional growth within the HR function.

Culture Engagement & Employee Experience

• Act as a visible trusted and approachable resource for employees at all levels.
• Strengthen employee engagement internal communications and feedback mechanisms.
• Promote a positive inclusive and professional work environment aligned with CSPs values.

Qualifications & Experience

• Minimum of 10 years of progressive human resources experience including senior leadership roles and M&A experience.
• Experience leading HR within a growing complex and entrepreneurial organization.
• Strong knowledge of employment law compensation strategy benefits and HR best practices.
• Demonstrated experience supporting organizational growth change management and acquisitions.
• Proven ability to lead and develop a team and mentor/coach a high-performing team
• Bachelors degree in Human Resources Business or a related field required.
• Masters degree SHRM certification or similar credentials preferred.
• Experience in Professional Services and/or Financial Services preferred

Personal Attributes

• High emotional intelligence with strong credibility and judgment.
• Strategic business-minded thinker who can also execute tactically.
• Excellent communication and relationship-building skills.
• Calm confident presence capable of navigating complex and sensitive situations.
• Collaborative leader who works effectively across functions and leadership levels.
• Values culture integrity and people-first leadership.

Required Experience:

Chief