Norfolk Va, US
Senior Vice President & Chief People Officer North America
Led by Rodolphe Saadé, the CMA CGM Group, a global leader in shipping and logistics, serves more than 420 ports around the world on five continents. With its subsidiary CEVA Logistics, a world leader in logistics, and its air freight division CMA CGM AIR CARGO, the CMA CGM Group is continually innovating to offer its customers a complete and increasingly efficient range of new shipping, land, air and logistics solutions.
Committed to the energy transition in shipping, and a pioneer in the use of alternative fuels, the CMA CGM Group has set a target to become Net Zero Carbon by 2050.
Through the CMA CGM Foundation, the Group acts in humanitarian crises that require an emergency response by mobilizing the Group’s shipping and logistics expertise to bring humanitarian supplies around the world.
Present in 160 countries through its network of more than 400 offices and 750 warehouses, the Group employs more than 155,000 people worldwide, including 4,000 in Marseilles where its head office is located.
Position Summary
The Chief People Officer (CPO) for CMA CGM North America serves as the strategic leader of all Human Resources functions across the region, encompassing the United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico back office support. Reporting directly to the President of CMA CGM North America, with a functional reporting line to the Group Human Resources team, the CPO is responsible for driving the people strategy aligned with both regional business objectives and global HR standards.
This role oversees the full spectrum of HR disciplines including Talent Acquisition and Development, HR Administration, HRBPs, HRIS, Labor Relations, Payroll, Benefits, Compensation, and HR Controlling. The CPO plays a critical role in shaping a high-performance culture, fostering employee engagement, ensuring compliance, and enabling organizational growth through effective people management and development.
Functions & Duties
• Develop and execute the regional HR strategy in alignment with CMA CGM’s global HR vision and North American business goals.
• Serve as a trusted advisor to the President and executive leadership team on all people-related matters.
• Act as the primary liaison between regional HR operations and the Group HR function to ensure consistency and alignment.
• Lead and develop a high-performing regional HR team, promoting collaboration, accountability, and continuous improvement.
• Build strong partnerships with business leaders and functional heads to support organizational effectiveness.
• Lead workforce planning and talent acquisition strategies to attract top talent across North America.
• Oversee leadership development, succession planning, and employee training programs to build organizational capability.
• Ensure efficient and compliant HR administration including employee records, onboarding, and offboarding processes.
• Oversee HRIS systems and data integrity, driving digital transformation and process optimization.
• Manage labor relations, including union negotiations and compliance with local, state, and federal labor laws.
• Foster a positive employee relations environment through proactive communication and conflict resolution.
• Design and implement competitive compensation and benefits programs aligned with market benchmarks and internal equity.
• Ensure accurate and timely payroll processing and benefits administration across all entities.
Qualifications
• Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s degree preferred
• Must possess thorough knowledge and demonstrated expertise in large complex organizations in a progressive human resources environment.
• 15+ years in progressively responsible human resources leadership positions.
• 5+ years in HR leadership roles, with demonstrated success leading teams while serving as a primary business facing HR partner to line leadership.
• Proven track record managing HR functions across multiple legal entities and geographies.
• Experience in unionized environments, labor relations, and navigating complex regulatory landscapes.
• Demonstrated success in leading organizational transformation, talent strategy, and cultural initiatives.
• A solid strategic thinker, with strong operations focus, sound judgment and attention to detail.
• Well organized, self-directed individual with a continuous improvement and naturally collaborative spirit.
• Excellent work organization skills, ability to operate and influence across multiple sites, set priorities, and manage multiple demands.
• Proven ability to build strong relationships across all levels of an organization with experience of working directly with senior executives marked by high degree of intellect and confidence.
• Must have high level interpersonal and leadership skills in building relationships to engage and support operating management, to collaborate with colleagues internally and externally and to provide effective leadership of the team.
• Unwavering integrity and committed to the values of CMA CGM.
At CMA CGM, we are committed to fair and equitable compensation practices. The expected salary range for this position is $284K-$370K. The actual salary offered will be based on a variety of factors including, but not limited to, the candidate’s qualifications, skills, experience, and location.
In addition to base salary, this position may be eligible for: performance-based bonuses, comprehensive benefits including health insurance, retirement plans, tuition repayment and paid time off, professional development opportunities. We believe in transparency and equity and are proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We encourage individuals from all backgrounds to apply.
Come along on CMA CGM’s adventure! The Company is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment. Discrimination or harassment based upon any protected characteristics as defined by state or federal law is wholly inconsistent with our company values and will not be tolerated. Alternative application methods are available for individuals who are unable to use or access our online application system. For assistance, please contact us at orf.pse_recruiting@cma-cgm.com
Nearest Major Market: Hampton Roads