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Chief People Officer, Virgin Trains USA


Fortress Affiliate

Ref#: 2292

Date published: 1-Apr-2019

About Fortress

Fortress Investment Group LLC is a leading, highly diversified global investment manager with approximately $39.9 billion of assets under management as of December 31, 2018. Founded in 1998, Fortress manages assets on behalf of over 1,750 institutional clients and private investors worldwide across a range of credit and real estate, private equity and permanent capital investment strategies. Investment performance is our cornerstone - we strive to generate strong risk adjusted returns for our investors over the long term. For additional information on Fortress, please visit www.fortress.com.

Virgin Trains USA (DBA: Brightline) seeks a Chief People Officer to join our executive management team and lead the human capital development of our fast-growing company.  In addition to overseeing all human resources activities, the CPO will serve as the personal coach to other members of the executive team and be responsible for cultivating our unique culture as we rebrand as part of the Virgin group of companies.  We pride ourselves as being at the intersection of hospitality and transportation and our business spans several platforms including high speed passenger rail, transit oriented real estate and rail infrastructure development. 
As a Fortress Investment Group private equity backed enterprise this position offers a challenging, fast-paced environment, with significant equity participation opportunity.

The Chief People Officer is responsible for developing and executing our people strategy as we disrupt the U.S. intercity travel market.  We currently operate a new, high speed passenger rail system serving over a million passengers a year in Florida and seek to extend our model in Florida and to other highly congested travel corridors throughout the U.S.  We are the first privately funded high speed passenger rail company in over 100 years and consequently need to assemble and support a team of highly skilled and entrepreneurial managers able to meet this unique challenge.
The CPO will ensure our organizational design, culture and talent management supports our mission.  In addition, the CPO will possess broad human resources knowledge and enjoy mentoring a team of HR professionals to establish and enhance our back office systems, benefits programs, employee relations and internal policies. As part of our current expansion of service to Orlando, we project our headcount to increase from our current 325 full time employees to 550 by 2022.

Essential Functions
  1. Establish and implement HR efforts that effectively communicate and support the Company's mission and strategic vision
  2. Develop HR plans and strategies to support the achievement of the overall business operations objectives.
  3. Function as a strategic business advisor to the executive/senior management of each business unit or specialty group regarding key organizational and management issues.
  4. Provide overall leadership and guidance to the HR function by overseeing talent acquisition, career development, succession planning, retention, training, leadership development, compensation and benefits locally and as the Company expands nationally. 
  5. Work with the executive management team to establish a sound plan of management succession that corresponds to the strategy and objectives of the Company. 
  6. Function as the company’s Designated Employer Representative for the Federal Railroad Administration.
  7. Develop comprehensive strategic recruiting and retention plans to meet the needs of the organization in a strong job market.
  8. Develop and implement comprehensive compensation and benefits plans that are competitive and cost-effective for each different area of the business.
  9. Promote diversity and inclusion in the workplace and reinforce our position as an equal opportunity employer. Ensure our hiring, onboarding and management procedures are effective for diverse groups.

Required Education and Experience
A BS/BA degree from an accredited college/university.
A minimum of 15 years of HR experience, with at least five years of executive HR experience.

Preferred Education and Experience
MBA or MA/MS in human resources or related field.
SHRM Senior Certified Professional (SHRM-SCP) or SHRM Certified Professional (SHRM-CP) certification.

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