Human Resources Manager

Human Resources Manager

At the City of Los Altos, we believe our people are our greatest asset and the foundation of exceptional public service. Our Human Resources team is committed to creating an engaged, inclusive, and high-performing workplace where employees are empowered to do their best work and grow throughout their careers. We are passionate about developing people, fostering meaningful workplace connections, supporting employee well-being, and cultivating a culture built on trust, collaboration, accountability, and service excellence.

The Human Resources Department serves as a strategic business partner to City leadership and provides a comprehensive portfolio of services that support the entire employee lifecycle, including:

• Employee & Labor Relations
• Benefits & Leave Administration
• Recruitment & Selection
• Talent Development & Organizational Development
• Payroll Administration
• Risk Management & Workers' Compensation
• Employee Engagement, Recognition & Wellness

Our team partners closely with departments throughout the organization to attract, develop, engage, and retain a high-performing workforce while ensuring compliance, innovation, and exceptional customer service.

Your Impact as Human Resources Manager

Are you ready to help shape the future of public sector HR? As the Human Resources Manager, you'll be the Human Resources Director's strategic partner and a key member of the City's management team. This is an exciting opportunity to lead initiatives that strengthen organizational culture, elevate employee engagement, and modernize HR practices through AI across the organization.

You'll oversee a diverse portfolio of HR functions, including employee relations, recruitment and selection, talent development, benefits and leaves, employee engagement, and workforce planning. No two days are the same. One day you may be coaching leaders through a complex employee relations issue, and the next you could be launching a new performance management program, improving recruitment strategies, or implementing innovative HR AI technology.

A major focus of this role will be leading the Citywide implementation of NEOGOV's Perform and Learn platforms, helping create a modern, competency-based approach to performance management, learning, and professional development. You'll also spearhead the launch of a new employee orientation and City tour program designed to strengthen onboarding, build connections across departments, and reinforce the City's culture and values from day one.

Working alongside a team of Human Resources professionals, department leaders, and executive leadership, you'll help design and implement workforce strategies that support employee growth, and foster a high-performing, people-first organization.

If you're energized by building programs, leading change, developing people, and making a lasting impact, this may be the perfect opportunity for you.

Key Responsibilities

HR Leadership & Business Partnership

• Partner with the Human Resources Director to advance the City's strategic workforce goals and organizational priorities.
• Serve as Acting Human Resources Director as assigned.
• Provide leadership, supervision, coaching, and professional development to HR staff.
• Lead department-wide and cross-functional initiatives that strengthen organizational effectiveness and employee engagement.

Team Leadership & Program Oversight

• Foster a culture of collaboration, innovation, accountability, and exceptional customer service within the HR team.
• Provide oversight and operational management for all Human Resources functional areas, including performance management, recruitment and selection, benefits and leaves administration, talent development, and employee engagement.

Recruitment & Talent Acquisition

• Oversee all phases of recruitment, testing, selection, onboarding, and talent acquisition.
• Promote innovative and inclusive talent acquisition strategies that attract and retain top talent.
• Continuously evaluate recruitment outcomes and implement improvements using workforce metrics and analytics.

Performance Management & Organizational Development

• Lead the implementation of and ongoing enhancement of the City's competency-based performance management program.
• Develop tools, resources, and training that strengthen leadership effectiveness and employee performance.
• Coach managers in setting expectations, delivering meaningful feedback, and addressing performance concerns.
• Align performance management practices with employee development, career progression, and organizational goals.
• Support change management initiatives that foster a culture of accountability, learning, and continuous improvement.

Learning, Leadership Development & Employee Growth

• Develop and manage citywide training, leadership development, and employee learning programs.
• Identify organizational capability gaps and implement targeted development strategies.
• Lead succession planning initiatives that strengthen the City's leadership pipeline and future workforce readiness.
• Evaluate program effectiveness through data, employee feedback, and measurable outcomes.

Employee Engagement & Organizational Culture

• Lead initiatives that strengthen our employee engagement and recognition program and workplace culture.
• Collaborate with departments to create meaningful employee experiences throughout the employee lifecycle.
• Support programs that reinforce the City's values and commitment to service excellence.

Employee & Labor Relations

• Serve as a trusted advisor to supervisors and department leaders on employee and labor relations matters.
• Provide guidance regarding workplace investigations, performance management, conflict resolution, accommodations, policy interpretation, and corrective action.
• Assist with labor negotiations, contract administration, grievance resolution, and disciplinary matters as assigned.
• Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local employment laws, labor agreements, and City policies.
• Promote a positive and respectful workplace environment grounded in fairness, accountability, and transparency.

HR Operations and Technology

• Support the City's ongoing modernization of HR systems, AI technology, and service delivery models.
• Utilize workforce analytics and key performance indicators to support data-driven decision-making.
• Recommend process improvements that increase efficiency, service quality, and employee satisfaction.
• Ensure compliance with recordkeeping, reporting, and regulatory requirements.

The Ideal Candidate

The ideal candidate is a strategic, collaborative, and innovative HR leader who combines strong technical expertise with exceptional interpersonal skills. They are equally comfortable advising executives on complex workforce challenges, coaching managers through sensitive employee relations matters, and leading organizational initiatives that drive long-term success.

Successful candidates will demonstrate:

• Experience leading multiple HR disciplines in a complex organization.
• Strong business acumen and the ability to align HR strategies with organizational objectives.
• Expertise in organizational development, talent management, workforce planning, workplace conflict, and employee engagement.
• Experience implementing competency-based HR systems, performance management frameworks, and leadership development programs.
• Strong employee relations and conflict management expertise, preferably within a unionized environment.
• Experience leading organizational change and driving innovation through technology and process improvement.
• Excellent communication, facilitation, coaching, and relationship-building skills.
• A commitment to public service, continuous improvement, and exceptional customer experience.
• The ability to lead through change while fostering trust, accountability, and collaboration.

This recruitment may be used to fill future management-level positions within the Human Resources Department. Applicants with a range of leadership experience are encouraged to apply.

This position offers an exceptional opportunity to help shape the future of human resources for the City of Los Altos while contributing to an organization committed to excellence in public service, employee development, and organizational innovation.

Physical Demands

Must possess mobility to work in a standard office setting and use standard office equipment, including a computer; to operate a motor vehicle and visit various City sites; vision to read printed materials and a computer screen; and hearing and speech to communicate in person and over the telephone. This is primarily a sedentary office classification although standing in work areas and walking between work areas may be required. Finger dexterity is needed to access, enter, and retrieve data using a computer keyboard or calculator and to operate standard office equipment. Positions in this classification occasionally bend, stoop, kneel, reach, push, and pull drawers open and closed to retrieve and file information. Employees must possess the ability to lift, carry, push, and pull materials and objects up to 10 pounds.

Environmental Conditions

Employees work in an office environment with moderate noise levels, controlled temperature conditions, and no direct exposure to hazardous physical substances. Employees may interact with upset staff and/or public and private representatives in interpreting and enforcing departmental policies and procedures.

Working Conditions

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