Job Description

COMPANY INTRO

ARU , founded in 2016, has quickly risen to become the U.S. leader in specialty property insurance product development, underwriting, loss control, and technology.

• In 2021, ARU was acquired by international carrier group Accelerant Holdings .
• Additional notable developments include the creation of an internal unit that provides white-labeled product development / underwriting / technology services to carriers and the creation of a claims-handling subsidiary Agribusiness Risk Services (ARS).
• 2024 will make ARU's 5th consecutive year of > 40% growth. In addition, , ARU generates a healthy and sustainable underwriting profit.
• ARU is a company on the rise.

CHIEF PEOPLE OFFICER POSITION INTRO

Delivering a rewarding and fulfilling professional experience to our employees has been a core value of ARU since our founding. We attribute our commitment to employee professional development, empowerment, and growth as a leading contributor to our company's rapid growth and success.

Stated succinctly, up to this point, the company's size has not warranted dedicated Human Resources personnel, and leadership of HR and Culture has been a shared responsibility of various company managers and executives.

ARU now seeks a dynamic and engaging Chief People Officer to both: (a) perform as the company's hands-on HR / culture / people-empowerment professional, and (b) establish and grow a right-sized HR department as the company continues to scale.

A few words from ARU's Co-Founder and CEO Will Johnson:

"I started ARU in 2016 at ground zero, with zero customers, zero revenue, and one big foundational idea:  other market participants were operating fundamentally flawed models that were not sustainable . A completely new approach was needed -- an approach based on empowering smart and curious people to build innovative solutions to some of the industry's toughest challenges. Fast forward to today: many of ARU’s competitors' have been forced to leave the space outright due to poor leadership and uninspired personnel going through the motions with outdated / ineffective methods. Meanwhile, ARU has become one of the most well-respected and fastest-growing specialty underwriting shops in the U.S.

Our success is not based on AI, Machine Learning, Blockchain, or any other buzzword. ARU is a company built on PEOPLE : curious and smart people committed to learning / growing / exploring and operating with disciplined precision.

We are now seeking a senior HR and Culture executive whose strengths will complement the existing team, providing clear and steady leadership in a sometimes-chaotic atmosphere of rapid growth.  I am seeking an individual who understands the difference between managing and leading -- and who can successfully do both. I am seeking a high-character and compassionate leader who understands that growing a company is largely about growing the humans who choose to serve as employees; the only success is mutual success . I am seeking a professional who can match my enthusiasm to wake up every day, roll-up-your-sleeves, and build something GREAT.

If this sounds like you, I invite you to reach out to ARU."

WHAT WE’RE OFFERING TO YOU:

• You will work in a supportive, team-driven environment, as part of a team d edicated to being the "best in the world."
• You will be the CPO of an organization that truly believes its people are its most important asset; you will be empowered and provided with the resources to perform at the highest level. You will report directly to CEO Will Johnson, a nationally-recognized insurance entrepreneur and leader.
• You will receive a competitive compensation package, with base annual salary, annual bonus, and company-provided benefits.  You will have 100% employer-paid health insurance, generous PTO, and a 100% vested retirement plan with company match.
• You will be working in a 100% remote position, for an employer that proactively supports its employees’ comfort and safety.
• You will have a position in a fast-growing, modern, technology-based company, where your contribution will be critical to the company’s success, and where your performance will earn your opportunities for recognition and promotion.

PRIMARY DUTIES:

• Help ARU be the best in the world at what we do, and do not ever settle for mediocrity. Actively participate in ARU’s culture of collaborative problem-solving.
• Perform with a high level of polish and professionalism, in all spoken and written communications.  Address internal and external business challenges in a graceful and tactful manner.  Complete all duties with a high degree of urgency, thoroughness, and accuracy.  
• Perform as ARU's hands-on HR and Culture professional. 
• Inventory the "current state" of company HR and Culture matters, and work with the existing leaders and managers to transition to the "future state" of company HR (a bona fide separate HR department).
• Culture Development:
  
   
  • Lead the development and execution of initiatives to promote a positive and inclusive organization culture aligned with the company's values and goals.
  • Develop and implement strategies to enhance employee morale, motivation, and overall satisfaction.
  • In conjunction with the company's marketing coordinator, organize and execute team-building activities, events, and recognition programs to foster a sense of belonging and camaraderie among employees.
• Employee Engagement:
  
   
  • Drive employee engagement efforts through surveys, feedback mechanisms, and regular communication channels.
  • Collaborate with department heads to address employee concerns, improve communication, and enhance the employee experience.
  • Develop and implement strategies to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion within the organization.
• Talent Management:
  
   
  • Directly perform the recruitment and onboarding process for rank and file new hires, in collaboration with the CEO.
  • Develop and implement training and development programs to support employee growth and career advancement.
  • Conduct performance evaluations, and provide guidance to managers on performance management and improvement strategies.
• HR Operations:
  
   
  • Directly perform day-to-day HR operations in conjunction with the Accounting dept as appropriate), including but not limited to payroll, benefits administration, compliance, and employee relations.
  • Stay abreast of relevant laws and regulations to ensure HR policies and practices remain compliant and up to date.
  • Handle employee inquiries, conflicts, and disciplinary actions in a fair and consistent manner.
• Collaborate on an ongoing basis with the CEO on making ARU a highly-desired employer / workplace, known for delivering a superior employee experience.
• Master the use of ARU standardized hardware, software programs, third party software, and processing procedures.
• Other, as assigned.

 

 

WHAT WE MINIMALLY REQUIRE - YOUR EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE, AND SKILLSET:

• GENUINE PASSION TO GROW HAPPIER AND MORE SUCCESSFUL HUMAN PROFESSIONALS
• Education:
  
   
  • Required: bachelor degree from an accredited 4 year college or university.
  • Preferred: relevant post-graduate degree(s) and/or designation(s), such as SHRM-SCP
• 5+ years of proven experience in HR leadership; entrepreneurial / scaling company experience is preferred.
• Demonstrable proficiency in all of the following:
  
   
  • Culture development and employee engagement;
  • HR best practices, multi-state employment laws, and compliance;
  • Interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to build rapport and influence at all levels of the organization;
  • Ability to drive change, foster collaboration, and build a superlatively positive work environment;
  • Strategic thinking, with the ability to translate organizational goals into actionable HR and culture initiatives
• Exceptional thoroughness, accuracy, personal organization, time management, and record-keeping skills.
• Excellent critical thinker and problem-solver under pressure. High intellectual curiosity, with an enjoyment of learning and self-improvement.
• Excellent ability to resolve challenging situations with a patient and calm demeanor.
• Proven ability to take ownership of assigned responsibilities and accompanying results.
• Excellent professional presentation and polish, in the spoken word and written form.

REMOTE POSITION / HOME OFFICE / TIME ZONE REQUIREMENTS:

• This is a 100% remote position. As such, adherence to remote-work best practices is required, which includes (but is not limited to) having an appropriate professional home-office set-up, with reliable high speed internet. The space used for the office must be a separate enclosed room with a door that closes and that has professional decor appropriate for video conferencing.
• As this is a remote position, candidates may live anywhere in the United States. However, working either EASTERN or CENTRAL time business hours is required.

ABOUT ARU’S CULTURE:

We demand excellence from ourselves and those around us; we work accurately and thoroughly, but also with a great sense of urgency; we are excellent critical thinkers and creative problem solvers; we contribute cheerfully to ARU’s environment of collaborative brainstorming and respectful debate; we love to explore and experiment, and we are comfortable occasionally blazing a trail that ends up actually being a “bridge to nowhere” -- just as long as we fail fast, pivot appropriately, and become tougher and smarter as a result; we love to learn, read, and grow as human beings; we believe in science-based truths, and we know there is no such thing as an alternative fact.

MORE ABOUT ARU:

ARU was founded in 2016 and has quickly risen to become the U.S. leader in specialty Property product development, underwriting, loss control, and technology. ARU uses fundamental scientific principles, granular weather metrics, proprietary technology, and niche expertise to maintain a sustainable and profitable risk portfolio of historically challenging Property risks, all while providing a superior experience to policyholders. ARU serves a diverse network of retail producers, wholesalers, and carriers, providing not only traditional underwriting and loss control services, but also technology, product development, operational support, and reinsurance capacity.  ARU is part of the Accelerant Insurance family: 

Job Tags

Full time, Remote job, Home office,

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