HR Executive & Strategic Consultant

Human Resources
Leadership that
Actually Moves
Organizations.

20+ years of senior HR leadership across municipal, state, quasi-governmental, and corporate sectors. I help organizations build the people infrastructure they need to thrive — with the precision of a seasoned executive and the clarity of a trusted advisor.

Schedule a Consultation View Services
20+
Years Experience
$120M
Budget Oversight
10K+
Benefits Participants
20+
Union Negotiations
Christopher J. Shipps
Christopher J. Shipps
MPA  ·  Consultant  ·  Advisor
MPA
Suffolk Univ
Available for Engagements
Collective Bargaining ✦ Benefits Administration ✦ Workforce Planning ✦ Labor Relations ✦ DEI Strategy ✦ Employee Relations ✦ FMLA / ADA Compliance ✦ Executive Coaching ✦ Policy Development ✦ Workers' Compensation ✦ Collective Bargaining ✦ Benefits Administration ✦ Workforce Planning ✦ Labor Relations ✦ DEI Strategy ✦ Employee Relations ✦ FMLA / ADA Compliance ✦ Executive Coaching ✦ Policy Development ✦ Workers' Compensation ✦
Municipal
Government
State
Agencies
Quasi-Gov't
Organizations
Nonprofit
Mission-Driven
Corporate
Private Sector
Small Biz
& Startups
About Christopher

An Executive Who Has Sat in Every Seat at the Table

"Great HR isn't about policy — it's about building the conditions where people and organizations can do their best work."

I've served as HR Director for municipalities, been a member of executive teams overseeing $58M organizations, negotiated contracts with nine labor unions, and built HR programs entirely from scratch. I know what works in the boardroom, the union hall, and on the front lines.

My approach goes beyond compliance checklists and org charts. Drawing on a background that also includes executive coaching, mindfulness instruction, and leadership development, I bring a rare combination of hard-nosed operational expertise and genuine human insight to every engagement.

Whether you need a fractional HR Director, a labor negotiation partner, or a comprehensive HR buildout — I deliver executive-level experience without the full-time overhead.

⚖️
Labor & Employment Law
Deep expertise in FMLA, ADA, FLSA, workers' comp, and collective bargaining across public and private sectors.
🤝
Strategic Partnership
A true partner to CEOs, mayors, and boards — not just an HR vendor, but a trusted advisor in the room for the hardest conversations.
🧭
Organizational Design
Built workforce structures for organizations ranging from 50 to 11,000+ employees across complex, multi-union environments.
🌿
Whole-Person Leadership
Executive coaching and mindfulness-integrated leadership development that builds resilient, high-performing teams.
What I Offer

Consulting Services

Flexible engagements designed around your organization's real needs — from targeted project support to ongoing fractional HR leadership.

01
🏛️

Fractional HR Director

Get the strategic leadership of a seasoned HR Director on a retained, part-time basis. Ideal for organizations that need executive-level HR without a full-time hire.

RetainerRemoteOngoing
02
🤘

Labor Relations & Collective Bargaining

Experienced chief spokesperson and negotiator across municipal and state environments. From contract prep through final ratification — I've sat at that table nine times and counting.

UnionsNegotiationsGrievances
03
📋

HR Infrastructure Buildout

Build or rebuild your entire HR function from the ground up: policies, handbooks, performance systems, onboarding, compliance frameworks, and hiring processes.

StartupsSmall BizProject
04
🔍

Workplace Investigations

Objective, thorough investigations of harassment, discrimination, and misconduct. Clear findings, defensible process, and practical recommendations you can act on.

EEOHarassmentMisconduct
05
🎓

Training & Leadership Development

Custom programs on harassment prevention, DEI, FMLA, FLSA, labor relations, and the "Leading Under Pressure" executive resilience intensive — available virtually or on-site.

WorkshopsVirtualIn-Person
06
💼

Benefits & Compensation Strategy

Audit, redesign, and optimize your benefits and compensation programs to attract talent and control costs — built on experience managing multi-million dollar programs for thousands of participants.

BenefitsComp AnalysisCost Savings
Why Shipps Consulting

The Difference Experience Makes

Most HR consultants have read the textbook. I've written the policies, argued the grievances, and led the organizations.

"I don't just advise.
I've done it —
at every level."
✓
Executive-Level Access, Consultant Flexibility
A partner who has served as HR Director and executive team member — without the full-time cost.
✓
Deep Public Sector Expertise
Most consultants have never touched a union contract. I've managed nine unions and a $25M HR budget.
✓
Integrated Leadership Philosophy
My background in coaching, mindfulness, and organizational psychology means I address root causes, not just symptoms.
✓
Remote-Ready, Results-Driven
Delivering high-impact results remotely for organizations anywhere in the U.S. — no geographical limits on your options.
✓
Trusted by Senior Leaders
From mayors to C-suite executives, I've been the HR advisor in the room for the most sensitive, high-stakes decisions.
✓
Personal Yet Professional
You work directly with me — not a junior associate. Responsive, direct, and fully invested in your success.
Client Voices

What Leaders Say

★★★★★
"

Chris brought immediate credibility to our labor negotiations. His calm, strategic approach helped us reach a fair agreement that held up — and kept our workforce engaged throughout the process.

Municipal Executive
New England Government Client
★★★★★
"

We went from zero HR infrastructure to a fully documented, compliant system in under 90 days. Chris built everything we needed and trained our team to sustain it. Exceptional value.

CEO, Growing Organization
Nonprofit Sector Client
★★★★★
"

The leadership workshop Chris facilitated changed how our management team communicates under pressure. It wasn't just training — it was a genuine shift in how we operate as leaders.

VP of Operations
Corporate Sector Client
How We Work Together

A Simple, Transparent Process

No bureaucracy. No junior associates. Direct, experienced guidance from engagement to outcome.

1
Discovery Call

A focused 30-minute conversation to understand your challenges, priorities, and what success looks like for your organization.

2
Tailored Proposal

I design an engagement scope built around your specific needs — no cookie-cutter packages, no unnecessary work.

3
Engaged Partnership

We work together closely, with direct access to me throughout. You always know where things stand and what's coming next.

4
Lasting Results

The goal isn't dependency — it's building internal capacity your organization can sustain long after our engagement ends.

Ready to Get Started

Let's Build Something That Works

Whether you need a fractional HR Director, a negotiation partner, or a full HR buildout — let's talk about what your organization actually needs.

Schedule a Free Discovery Call Call: (781) 424-2436
Email
info@shippsHRconsulting.com
Phone
(781) 424-2436
Availability
Currently Accepting New Clients
Engagements
Remote & On-Site, Nationwide