HR Director

VERY IMPORTANT RECRUITING INSTRUCTIONS:
Any candidate submitted should represent commitment (client is not interested in individuals who frequently make job changes)


Department-of-one HR Director for a growing, people-first community bank with 80 employees. Reports directly to the President and CEO. Owns everything: employee relations, benefits, recruiting, compliance, FMLA, policy, and payroll coordination. No direct reports. The retiring HR Director built a strong function, so we need someone who can carry it forward, not rebuild it.


Who to target

• HR Directors, HR Managers, and senior HR Business Partners who are already operating as the sole or lead HR person for a site or region (candidates who rely heavily on 'centers of expertise - ie. specialists - benefits/comp, recruiting, etc. will not be a fit for this role. we're looking for someone who is performing hands on and strategic work across these functions. These individuals do not sit in large corporations, they are in smaller, growing businesses.)
• 7+ years of progressive generalist experience; banking or financial services is a strong plus
• PHR, SPHR, SHRM-CP, or SHRM-SCP preferred
• Local to the Baton Rouge area or with genuine ties to it. This is an in-person role with regular travel to branches.

What matters most to the client
Culture fit carries as much weight as experience. This is a conservative, relationship-driven bank with a close, family-like team. Prior (some) candidates were turned away for how they presented. Please screen for warmth, polish, and genuine people skills. Candidates should come across as approachable to front-line staff and credible with executives.


Submit via email with summary of your verbal discussion with candidate indicating responses to all areas as described above, as well as compensation and willingness to work onsite 100% as department of one.

JOB Description:
Our client, a growing community bank, is looking for an HR Director to lead all people functions across the organization.


This is a department-of-one role: equal parts strategic advisor and hands-on practitioner, owning everything from policy to payroll integration to day-to-day employee relations. The HR Director will work closely alongside a collaborative leadership team and report directly to the President and CEO, playing a key role in shaping the people strategy behind the bank's continued growth.


What You'll Do

• Administer all core HR functions: recruitment, onboarding, employee relations, performance management, training, benefits administration, compliance, and policy development
• Serve as a trusted advisor to supervisors, managers, and senior leadership on hiring decisions, performance issues, disciplinary actions, and terminations
• Maintain open communication with employees and provide coaching on performance, conduct, and workplace concerns
• Ensure consistent application of policies and procedures, recommending corrective action when needed
• Administer employee benefits programs (health, dental, vision, and more), including enrollment, vendor and broker coordination, and payroll integration
• Manage the full recruitment lifecycle: job postings, advertising, screening, interviews, reference checks, and applicant tracking
• Oversee EEO and applicable affirmative action compliance, including planning, documentation, and reporting
• Administer FMLA and PTO programs, including required notices, eligibility tracking, and payroll/timekeeping coordination
• Maintain accurate, confidential personnel files and required employment documentation
• Write, review, and maintain job descriptions across the organization
• Manage the employee uniform program, including vendor coordination and inventory
• Consult with external legal counsel on compliance and employment matters
• Complete required BSA/AML training and perform duties in compliance with internal policy

What Our Client Is Looking For

• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or related field strongly preferred; equivalent experience considered
• PHR or SPHR (HRCI) preferred; SHRM-CP or SHRM-SCP also welcomed. Actively pursuing certification? We'd love to hear from you.
• 7+ years of progressive HR experience across employee relations, benefits administration, recruitment, and compliance - ideally in roles similar or equivalent to HR Director, HR Manager, HR Business Partner, etc.
• Banking or financial services background a plus
• Proven ability to work independently and manage competing priorities in a highly autonomous, generalist role
• No direct reports, but expected to influence and guide HR practice at every level of the bank

Schedule & Location Full-time, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., with occasional evenings or weekends for community involvement. Frequent travel to branch locations during the normal workday; occasional overnight travel for conferences.