DIRECTOR OF HUMAN RESOURCES

Salary: $110,000.00 - $140,000.00 Annually
Location : County of Culpeper, VA
Job Type: Full Time
Job Number: 00660
Department: Human Resources
Opening Date: 08/24/2026
FLSA: Exempt


Job Summary
Culpeper County seeks an exceptional Human Resource Director to lead our comprehensive human resources operations and drive strategic initiatives that support our mission of delivering outstanding public services to our community. This senior leadership position requires a dynamic professional who will serve as the chief architect of our workforce strategy, ensuring organizational excellence through effective talent and workforce management, policy development, and employee engagement.
The ideal candidate will demonstrate exceptional leadership capabilities, superior organizational skills, and unwavering professionalism while fostering a culture of integrity, innovation, and continuous improvement throughout our organization.

Job Functions

KEY LEADERSHIP RESPONSIBILITIES
Strategic Leadership & Vision

• Provide visionary leadership for all human resource functions, developing and implementing comprehensive HR strategies that align with County objectives and support organizational growth
• Lead cross-functional teams and collaborate with department heads to drive organizational change initiatives and workforce planning strategies
• Serve as a trusted advisor to senior leadership on complex employee relations matters, organizational development, and strategic talent and workforce management decisions

Team Leadership & Development

• Direct, mentor, and develop HR staff, creating a high-performance team environment that promotes professional growth and accountability
• Foster a collaborative leadership culture that encourages innovation, continuous learning, and best practice implementation
• Champion succession planning initiatives and leadership development programs throughout the organization

ORGANIZATIONAL EXCELLENCE REQUIREMENTS
Systems & Process Management

• Design and implement efficient HR systems, policies, and procedures that streamline operations and enhance service delivery to employees and departments
• Oversee comprehensive workforce analytics and reporting systems to support data-driven decision making
• Ensure seamless integration of technology solutions that optimize HR service delivery and organizational effectiveness

Budget & Resource Management

• Demonstrate exceptional organizational skills in managing complex HR budgets, vendor relationships, and resource allocation
• Optimize operational efficiency through strategic planning and systematic process improvements

PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS & COMPETENCIES
Communication & Interpersonal Excellence

• Exhibit outstanding professional communication skills, both written and verbal, with the ability to interact effectively with employees at all organizational levels
• Demonstrate cultural competency and sensitivity in managing diverse workforce needs and promoting inclusive workplace practices
• Maintain absolute confidentiality and exercise sound judgment in handling sensitive personnel matters

Ethical Leadership

• Uphold the highest standards of professional integrity and ethical conduct in all interactions and decisions
• Serve as a role model for professional behavior and organizational values
• Maintain objectivity and fairness in all employee relations matters

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Develop and execute comprehensive recruitment and retention strategies that attract top talent to county government
• Oversee all aspects of employee relations, including conflict resolution, disciplinary actions, and grievance procedures
• Lead organizational development initiatives including performance management systems, training programs, and employee engagement surveys
• Ensure compliance with all applicable employment laws, regulations, and collective bargaining agreements
• Manage benefits administration, compensation analysis, and classification studies
• Coordinate with legal counsel on employment-related matters and litigation
• Prepare comprehensive reports and presentations for County leadership and Board of Supervisors

Qualifications

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
Education & Experience

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent work experience in Human Resources, Public Administration, Business Administration, or related field required
• Minimum of seven (7) years of progressive human resources experience
• Minimum of five (5) years in a senior leadership or supervisory capacity
• Public sector experience strongly preferred

Professional Credentials

• Professional HR certification (PHR, SPHR, SHRM-CP, or SHRM-SCP) required
• Additional certifications in public administration or related fields preferred

Core Competencies

• Demonstrated expertise in employment law, compensation and benefits, and organizational development
• Proven track record of successful team leadership and strategic planning
• Advanced proficiency in HRIS systems and Microsoft Office Suite
• Experience with collective bargaining and union relations preferred

Working Conditions & Disclaimer

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS & WORK ENVIRONMENT
This position operates in a professional office environment with occasional travel to various County facilities. Regular computer use, telephone communication, and document review are required. Some evening and weekend work may be necessary for Board meetings or special projects.


The above information in this description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performance by employees within this classification. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications as required of employees assigned to this job.
Culpeper County is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, Culpeper County will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the employer.
COUNTY OF CULPEPER BENEFITS
Full-time employees have access to a wide variety of benefits, including medical, dental, retirement, life insurance, optional life and disability insurance plans, flexible spending accounts, and a deferred compensation program.
RETIREMENT As a condition of full-time employment, each individual is enrolled in a retirement plan with the Virginia Retirement System that provides a monthly benefit to all retirees for life. VRS Plans 1 and 2 and the VRS Enhanced Hazardous Duty plans are defined benefit plans. The VRS Hybrid plan consists of both a defined benefit plan and a defined contribution plan.

All individuals are required to contribute 5% of their gross salary to their retirement account each month as a condition of employment.
LIFE INSURANCE The County of Culpeper provides a basic life insurance plan for all eligible employees. The coverage amount is an employee's annual salary, rounded up to the next highest thousand, then multiplied by 2. The County pays 100% of the cost of this benefit. Additional coverage may be purchased.
MEDICAL INSURANCE The County offers two (2) medical plans: an HMO & an HSA.
DENTAL INSURANCE The County offers three comprehensive dental plans for employees and their eligible dependents.
HOLIDAY/VACATION/SICK ACCRUALS The County follows the state calendar for paid holidays. Vacation and sick accrual depend on the agency, office, or department in which an individual is employed.
PAY FOR PERFORMANCE The County currently utilizes a merit pay system to determine employee salary increases. This does not apply to Culpeper Human Services.
SHORT TERM DISABILITY The County offers basic income protection in the event an employee is unable to perform the essential functions of his or her position. The County pays for this coverage for all VRS members.
LONG TERM DISABILITY The County also offers additional income protection that will continue beyond the short term disability period until an employee is able to return to work or reaches retirement age. This coverage is provided for a nominal cost to employees covered under VRS Plans 1 and 2 and the VRS Enhanced Hazardous Duty plan. This coverage is provided at no cost to all employees covered under the VRS Hybrid plan.


VOLUNTARY INSURANCE PROGRAM The County offers voluntary insurance programs through a variety of insurance carriers. These include:

Accident Plan
Cancer Plan
Whole Life Insurance
Critical Illness Plans
FLEXIBLE SPENDING ACCOUNT The County offers a Flexible Spending Account (FSA) that allows employees to set aside up to $2,500 annually, on a pre-tax basis via payroll deductions, to pay for eligible medical, dental, or vision expenses. The IRS regulates this program and runs concurrently with the benefit plan year.
DEPENDENT CARE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM The County offers a Dependent Care Assistance Program that allows employees to set aside up to $5,000 annually, on a pre-tax basis via payroll deductions, to pay eligible dependent care expenses. The IRS regulates this program and runs concurrently with the benefit plan year. Open enrollment is held annually.
DEFERRED COMPENSATION The County offers a 457 as another alternative to set aside money for retirement.
This employer uses E-Verify
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