Director of People Operations

City of Seattle•Seattle, WA

2d•Onsite

About The Position

Mayor Katie Wilson’s election was powered by thousands of people from every corner of Seattle who came together around a shared vision that it's time for something new — something more hopeful, more just, and more equitable. A vision that we can tackle big challenges and carry out ambitious projects. That we can take on the affordability crisis, bring people inside, and make our city a great place to live, work, and raise a family. As a coalition builder, she understands that we're in this together. No matter what neighborhood you live in, where you grew up, or how much money you make, you have a right to be here and to live a dignified life. She regularly reminds Seattleites every day that “This is your City.” To achieve this new kind of participatory and inclusive governance, Mayor Wilson seeks a Director of People Operations who will serve as a leader and a lead communicator to City employees. In this role, you will partner closely with the Seattle Human Resources (SHR) and SHR’s labor relations team on strategies to cultivate a thriving city workforce and ensure strong Mayoral partnership in the City’s labor relations work. You will work together to ensure the Mayor’s Office and Mayor’s Cabinet attracts, retains, and supports a high-functioning mission-driven team dedicated to serving the people of Seattle. You will oversee hiring processes, staffing strategies, personnel actions, labor-related coordination, and internal training and development efforts for the Mayor’s Office and Cabinet Members, in coordination with SHR. You will work collaboratively with senior leaders to identify staffing needs, manage complex HR workflows, and ensure consistent application of City policies and best practices. You will represent the Mayor’s Office in critical internal labor-related forums and provide direct leadership to key operational and administrative staff, including managing the Business Operations Manager. You will play a central role in building an effective, equitable, engaged, and well-supported team culture across the Mayor’s Office and City Leadership.

Requirements

Human Resources and people operations experience, particularly in a public sector setting
Labor relations and the context of public sector contracts and bargaining
Organizational leadership
Managing a budget, particularly in a municipal finance setting
Strong understanding of HR policies, labor agreements, workforce planning, and organizational development practices
Negotiating contracts, MOUs, or staffing agreements within large or unionized environments
Project Management, particularly working with multiple teams or departments
Written and verbal communication skills, both internally and externally facing
Relationship building
Problem-solving
Working independently, anticipating organizational needs
Managing multiple time-sensitive tasks in a dynamic environment
Operations-focused Servant leadership
Commitment to equitable, inclusive, and community-centered workplace practices aligned with Seattle’s Race and Social Justice Initiative (RSJI)
Collaborating effectively with senior leaders
Managing complex personnel issues
Supporting a high-performing team culture
Navigating sensitive issues with discretion and sound judgment
Maintaining alignment with Mayor’s Office goals and key priorities
Resolving conflicts and incorporating lessons learned going forward
Completing tasks and making decisions at a high level

Responsibilities

Serve as a Senior Advisor for the Mayor, advising on workforce planning, organizational development, personnel issues, and HR strategy.
Act as the main point of contact for hiring processes for the Mayor’s Office and the Cabinet, including recruitment planning, candidate outreach, coordinating searches, onboarding, and ensuring consistent application of City hiring policies and practices.
Coordinate with senior leaders and SHR to design, implement, and maintain a comprehensive training and professional development strategy for Mayor’s Office staff.
Negotiate and manage MOUs, contracts, ethics-related documents and personnel agreements that support staffing and operational needs within the Mayor’s Office.
Provide leadership, coaching, and support to the Business Operations Manager, who oversees the office-wide budget, invoicing, procurement, facilities, and other business systems in the office.
Develop and maintain clear, accessible HR processes, documentation, workflows, and communication channels that equitably support staff productivity, clarity, and engagement.
Partner with senior leaders to address personnel matters, support conflict resolution, and promote consistent, equitable application of policies and workplace expectations.
Ensure the Mayor’s Office maintains compliance with City policies, labor agreements, and legal obligations related to personnel, workplace safety, and employment practices.
Ensure the Mayor’s Office is actively building an equitable workplace through hiring process, HR policy, and practice.
Act as the primary liaison between the Mayor’s Office and Seattle Human Resources (SHR), ensuring seamless coordination on hiring, personnel processes, HR compliance, and day-to-day HR operations.
Serve as the Mayor’s Office liaison to SHR’s Labor Relations team, including coordination of, and participation as a voting member of the Executive Labor Committee and participation in the Labor Relations Policy Committee, which sets parameters for bargaining with City Unions, ensuring the office’s interests and obligations are clearly communicated and upheld.
Partner with the communications team to build a strong program for Mayor’s Office communication to City Employees.
Work closely with the SHR Director to bring a cohesive voice to the City from the Mayor’s Office, communicating clearly and often with City employees about ongoing and upcoming events and priorities.
Act as the Mayor’s lens for employee impact with every major decision.
Lead or support special projects, workforce initiatives, policy updates, or organizational improvements as assigned by the Mayor or Chief of Staff.