Interim HR Executive Consultant

HRKS has been retained by a confidential higher education institution in the Washington DC region to place a seasoned HR executive for a 4 to 6 month interim engagement. The client operates an HR function of roughly 40 employees, with a compensation and benefits portfolio exceeding $380 million. The selected consultant will report to the CFO and work closely with senior university leadership, including the Provost and General Counsel's office.

With two senior HR leadership positions currently vacant, the organisation requires an experienced executive who can maintain day-to-day continuity, advance active initiatives across talent, rewards, and labour relations, and support the hiring of permanent senior directors. The role is hybrid, requiring three days on-site per week in the Washington DC region.

• Lead an HR team of approximately 40 employees across Talent Solutions, Employee Experience, HRIS, Total Rewards, Talent Acquisition, and Employee and Labour Relations
• Manage four direct reports and support recruitment of two senior director roles
• Oversee day-to-day HR operations and maintain continuity during an organisational redesign
• Manage concurrent projects including labour relations initiatives, summer training programmes, and transition planning
• Collaborate with senior stakeholders including the CFO, Provost, General Counsel's office, and Staff Council
• Serve as a key operational resource supporting upcoming executive searches

• Bachelor's degree required; advanced degree or SHRM-SCP/SPHR certification preferred
• 10 or more years of executive-level HR leadership experience
• Prior consulting experience with a demonstrated track record managing complex client engagements
• Functional expertise in at least one or two HR disciplines, with depth in Total Rewards (compensation and/or benefits) highly preferred
• Proficiency in Workday or a comparable HRIS, and Microsoft Office Suite
• Experience in higher education or similarly complex institutional environments is an advantage

HR Knowledge Source (HRKS) is an award-winning talent management consulting firm based in the Southeast United States. The firm partners with organisations to improve how they attract, develop, and retain talent, delivering practical solutions across strategic planning, leadership development, employee engagement, and recruiting.