Human Resources Director

$44.98 - $71.96 Hourly

$93,552 - $149,683 Annually

This position is a Pay Band C12

Posting Details

THIS POSTING WILL BE USED FOR ONGOING RECRUITMENT AND MAY CLOSE AT ANY TIME. APPLICANT LISTS MAY BE SCREENED MORE THAN ONCE.


THIS POSITION REQUIRES FULL-TIME, ON-SITE PRESENCE IN SANTA FE.

The New Mexico Department of Finance and Administration (DFA) serves as the State's central financial management agency, providing fiscal oversight, budgetary control, accounting guidance, and statewide financial reporting to ensure transparency, accountability, and compliance with state and federal law. DFA supports executive leadership, the Legislature, state agencies, and the public by promoting sound fiscal stewardship and consistent financial practices across New Mexico government.

The Administrative Services Division (ASD) Human Resources Bureau provides comprehensive human capital management services for DFA, supporting all divisions through recruitment, classification and compensation, employee and labor relations, benefits administration, training and development, and compliance with State Personnel Board Rules and applicable state and federal laws. The Bureau plays a critical role in ensuring a consistent, fair, and legally compliant workforce environment.

In addition to its core operational responsibilities, the HR Bureau serves as a strategic partner to agency leadership by supporting workforce planning, organizational development, policy implementation, and performance management initiatives. The Bureau works collaboratively with executive leadership and legal counsel to address complex personnel matters, mitigate risk, and strengthen internal controls related to human capital management. Through this integrated approach, the HR Bureau helps advance DFA¿s mission by promoting a high-performing, accountable, and service-oriented workforce.


Why does the job exist?

The Human Resources Director position exists to provide strategic leadership, oversight, and direction for all human capital functions within the Department of Finance and Administration. This role ensures that the agency's workforce practices are effective, compliant with State Personnel Board Rules and applicable state and federal laws, and aligned with DFA's mission and operational priorities.

The position is responsible for leading and modernizing HR operations, including recruitment, classification and compensation, employee and labor relations, performance management, and training and development. In addition to overseeing day-to-day HR functions, the Human Resources Director serves as a key strategic partner to executive leadership by supporting workforce planning, organizational development, and policy implementation across all divisions.

This role also plays a critical part in strengthening internal controls and mitigating risk related to human capital management by collaborating closely with legal counsel and executive leadership on complex personnel matters, investigations, and compliance-related issues. The position ensures consistency, accountability, and transparency in HR practices while promoting a high-performing, engaged workforce.


How does it get done?

The Human Resources Director provides leadership, oversight, and direction for all human capital functions within the Department of Finance and Administration. This position is responsible for managing and continuously improving HR operations, including recruitment and hiring, classification and compensation, employee and labor relations, performance management, benefits coordination, and training and development programs.

The role ensures compliance with State Personnel Board Rules, applicable state and federal laws, and agency policies by developing, implementing, and maintaining consistent HR procedures and internal controls. The Director advises executive leadership, managers, and supervisors on complex personnel matters, including disciplinary actions, investigations, grievances, and organizational restructuring, ensuring decisions are well-informed, consistent, and defensible.

This position leads strategic workforce initiatives, including workforce planning, succession planning, organizational development, and process improvement efforts designed to enhance efficiency, accountability, and employee engagement. The Human Resources Director collaborates closely with agency leadership and legal counsel to address high-level personnel issues, mitigate risk, and ensure alignment with legal and regulatory requirements.

The Director oversees HR staff and bureau operations, including setting priorities, assigning work, conducting performance evaluations, and supporting professional development. The position is also responsible for monitoring HR metrics, identifying trends, and recommending data-driven solutions to improve workforce outcomes and support agency goals.

Additionally, the Human Resources Director supports cross-divisional coordination and serves as a liaison with the State Personnel Office, external partners, and other state agencies to ensure consistent application of HR best practices and statewide initiatives.


Who are the customers?

The Human Resources Director provides services for all divisions and employees within the Department of Finance and Administration. This position supports executive leadership, managers, and supervisors by providing guidance on workforce management, personnel actions, and organizational development. The role also serves DFA employees by ensuring fair, consistent, and compliant human resource practices.

In addition, the position works collaboratively with the State Personnel Office, legal counsel, and other state agencies to ensure alignment with statewide HR policies, legal requirements, and best practices.


Ideal Candidate

The ideal candidate is an experienced human resources professional with a strong background in public sector HR operations, including recruitment, classification and compensation, employee and labor relations, performance management, and compliance with State Personnel Board Rules and applicable state and federal laws. This individual demonstrates a deep understanding of human capital management within a complex governmental environment and the ability to apply that knowledge in a practical, solutions-oriented manner.

The successful candidate is a strategic thinker who can balance day-to-day operational demands with long-term workforce planning and organizational development initiatives. They possess demonstrated experience advising executive leadership on complex personnel matters, including disciplinary actions, investigations, and organizational change, while ensuring consistency, fairness, and legal compliance.

This individual is a strong leader and mentor who can effectively manage and develop HR staff, promote accountability, and foster a collaborative and service-oriented culture. They have the ability to build strong working relationships across all levels of the organization and communicate clearly and professionally with a wide range of stakeholders.

Experience working with legal counsel on sensitive personnel issues, mitigating risk through sound HR practices, and strengthening internal controls is highly desirable. The ideal candidate is also comfortable using data and metrics to inform decision-making, identify trends, and drive continuous improvement in HR processes.

Above all, the candidate demonstrates integrity, sound judgment, professionalism, and a commitment to supporting a high-performing, compliant, and engaged workforce in alignment with DFA's mission.


Minimum Qualification

Bachelor's Degree in any related field and nine (9) years of experience in training, staff development, designing courses, producing instructional aides/materials, human resource operations, recruitment, selection, payroll, compensation, and benefits administration and/or occupational analysis. Three (3) years of supervisory experience as it pertains to the essential duties and responsibilities of this classification. Any combination of education from an accredited college or university in a related field and/or direct experience in this occupation totaling thirteen (13) years, to include three (3) years of supervisory experience, may substitute for the required education and experience.


Employment Requirements

State issued ID or Driver's License.

Pre-employment criminal background check is required, and employment is conditional pending results.


Working Conditions

Work is performed in an office setting with exposure to Visual/Video Display Terminal (VDT) and extensive personal computer and phone usage.


Supplemental Information

Do you know what Total Compensation is? Click here


Agency Contact Information: Mark Melhoff View phone number on click.appcast.io Email


For information on Statutory Requirements for this position, click the Classification Description link on the job advertisement.

Bargaining Unit Position

This position is not covered by a collective bargaining agreement.