Director Of Human Resources

Human Resources/Risk Management DirectorWe're looking for an experienced, forward-looking, and collaborative executive leader to serve as its Human Resources/Risk Management Director.Reporting directly to the City Manager and serving on the executive leadership team, the Director provides strategic leadership for Human Resources, workplace safety, workers' compensation, insurance, claims, and enterprise risk management. The position leads through the Human Resources Manager and Safety & Risk Manager, setting clear direction while empowering capable managers and professional staff.The next Director will build upon a strong foundation, strengthen the employee experience, advance organizational effectiveness, and encourage thoughtful innovation. This leader will connect people to purpose and use data, employee feedback, and program results to guide decisions, communicate the City's workforce story, recognize accomplishments, and drive continued improvement.What You Will LeadCitywide workforce strategy, talent acquisition and retention, employee and leadership development, succession readiness, organizational effectiveness, and the overall employee experienceThe City's employee value proposition, including its modernized pay plan, comprehensive benefits, generous paid time off, wellness resources, and opportunities for professional growthComplex employee relations, workplace investigations, discipline, performance concerns, accommodations, protected leave, employment-law compliance, and classified employee appealsEnterprise risk management, insurance, workers' compensation, claims, contractual risk transfer, loss control, and protection of public resourcesOccupational health, workplace safety, accident prevention, incident review, and Citywide safety accountabilityPersonnel policy and governance, HR technology and analytics, departmental budgets and contracts, executive reporting, and consistent service deliveryThe Leadership We NeedA trusted advisor who exercises independent judgment, tells leaders what they need to hear, explains why, and offers practical paths forwardA fair and steady decision-maker who balances employee interests, management responsibilities, legal requirements, organizational risk, fiscal stewardship, and public accountabilityA leader who develops leadership capacity, establishes clear expectations, delegates effectively, and holds people appropriately accountableA forward-looking, data-informed professional who turns technology, analytics, employee feedback, and good ideas into practical improvementsA clear communicator who connects people to purpose, celebrates successes, learns from challenges, and builds trust across departmentsExecutive PrioritiesPeople, Leadership & Organizational EffectivenessSet strategic direction for workforce planning, talent acquisition and retention, employee and leadership development, succession planning, total compensation, benefits and leave programs, performance management, HR technology, employee engagement, and organizational effectiveness. Strengthen career growth, service quality, leadership capacity, and the employee experience.Employee Relations, Appeals & GovernanceAdvise leaders on complex and high-risk employee matters and promote fair, consistent, timely, and legally defensible practices. Serve as the first-level hearing authority for classified employee disciplinary appeals when designated by City policy or Personnel Rules. Lead Citywide personnel policy, governance, internal controls, and management-consistency efforts in coordination with legal counsel.Risk Management, Insurance & SafetyDirect strategies that identify and reduce financial, legal, operational, and reputational exposures. Oversee insurance, claims, workers' compensation, contractual risk transfer, and loss prevention through the Safety & Risk Manager and external partners. Establish Citywide safety expectations and ensure compliance with applicable requirements, including Arizona Division of Occupational Safety and Health standards.Department & Executive LeadershipDirectly supervise and develop the Human Resources Manager and Safety & Risk Manager. Establish department goals, priorities, service expectations, performance measures, and budgets; evaluate program effectiveness and organizational capacity; and present clear recommendations, workforce analytics, program outcomes, and organizational insights to executive leadership, the City Council, employees, and other stakeholders.Knowledge, Skills & AbilitiesKnowledge:Principles and practices of strategic human resources management, organizational development, and public administration.Federal and state employment laws and regulations, employee relations, workplace investigations, due process, discipline, and employment practices.Classification, compensation, workforce planning, recruitment, benefits administration, performance management, and HR information systems.Principles and practices of enterprise and municipal risk management, insurance, claims administration, workers' compensation, loss control, and workplace safety.Applicable occupational safety laws, regulations, and standards.Policy development, organizational governance, internal controls, and administrative decision-making.Public sector budgeting, fiscal management, and procurement practices.Leadership, supervision, coaching, performance management, and organizational change.Skills:Providing strategic advice and presenting complex information to executive leadership and elected officials.Analyzing complex organizational, employee relations, financial, safety, and risk issues and developing practical and defensible solutions.Managing sensitive, controversial, confidential, and high-profile matters with sound judgment and professionalism.Building effective relationships with employees, management, elected officials, legal counsel, regulatory agencies, insurers, and external partners.Negotiation, conflict resolution, facilitation, and executive communication.Developing policies, strategies, reports, recommendations, and presentations.Ability:Exercise considerable independent judgment and discretion.Balance employee interests, management responsibilities, organizational risk, legal requirements, fiscal considerations, and public accountability.Establish organizational credibility and trust while maintaining appropriate professional boundaries and neutrality.Delegate operational responsibility while maintaining executive accountability for departmental outcomes.Lead through subordinate managers and establish clear roles, accountability, and escalation protocols.Interpret and apply complex laws, regulations, policies, and administrative requirements.Manage multiple high-priority matters and make sound decisions under pressure.Maintain strict confidentiality of sensitive information.Find your rewarding career with us! Personal growth opportunities, meaningful and challenging work, public service community spirit, training and development.