Mark Griffin
CHRO
BJ's Wholesale Club
Mark Griffin is the EVP, CHRO at BJ’s Wholesale Club and a Co-Chair of the Boston CHRO Community. Mark has worked in senior HR positions in financial services, healthcare and retail with Fleet Financial Group, CVS Health and BJ’s Wholesale Club.
A few fun facts about Mark, he is a part-owner of a craft restaurant/pub in Franklin, MA. He also enjoys boating, fishing, golfing, and off road motorcycling.
Learn more about the Boston CHRO community here.
Give us a brief overview of the path that led to your current role.
I left CVS Health after 18 years, where I led HR for the $100+B Caremark (PBM) and the retail division. I have broad experience leading all areas of HR including strategic business partnering, talent acquisition, talent development, operations & technology, outsourcing, employee relations, and acquisitions.
What is one of your guiding leadership principles?
Hire great people, guide them, and let them do their job.
What is the greatest challenge facing CHROs today, and how are you addressing it?
The war for top talent. To address it, hiring great leaders who lead with empathy and respect and value their team helps create a great culture. Having the best culture in the industry makes your company a magnet for top talent.
What is the key to success for someone just starting out as a CHRO?
Be curious, ask questions, and learn from your mistakes.
How do you measure success as a leader?
By the legacy they leave behind. If they have a ready successor and have developed and promoted people along the way. If they left their function, and the company, in a better place with the personal and professional impact they’ve made.
What is the value of being a member of Gartner C-level Communities?
Working with a talented peer group and learning from each other!
Gartner C-level Communities Governing Body members share their insights and leadership perspectives to shape the agendas and topics that address the top priorities impacting business leaders today.
By CHROs, For CHROs®
Join the conversation with peers in your local CHRO community.