Human Resource Director

Lakewood Health System•Staples, MN

2d•Onsite

About The Position

The Human Resources Director provides operational leadership for the Human Resources department, ensuring compliant, consistent, and people-centered HR practices across Lakewood Health System. This role serves as the organization's subject matter expert in employment law, employee relations, regulatory compliance, investigations, policy administration, performance management, and workforce operations. Working closely with the Chief Talent Officer and Senior Benefits & Compensation Partner, this leader develops HR team capability while ensuring organizational practices support legal compliance, operational excellence, and an exceptional employee experience.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Organizational Leadership, or a related field.
Minimum of 7 years of progressive Human Resources experience, including significant experience in employee relations, employment law, and HR operations.
Minimum of 3 years of leadership experience leading HR professionals or multidisciplinary teams.
Demonstrated expertise in federal and state employment laws and regulations, including FMLA, ADA, PWFA, EEOC, FLSA, USERRA, wage and hour laws, and Minnesota employment regulations.
Experience conducting complex workplace investigations and providing guidance on corrective action, performance management, and conflict resolution.
Experience developing, interpreting, and implementing HR policies, procedures, and organizational practices.

Nice To Haves

Master's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Organizational Development, or a related field.
PHR, SPHR, SHRM-CP, or SHRM-SCP certification.
Experience within a healthcare, hospital, or highly regulated industry.
Strong knowledge of benefits and compensation administration, HRIS systems, and HR operational processes.
Demonstrated ability to coach leaders through sensitive employee situations while balancing organizational risk and employee experience.
Excellent written, verbal, facilitation, and interpersonal communication skills.
Ability to manage multiple priorities while maintaining confidentiality, professionalism, and sound judgment.
Demonstrates expertise in employment law, employee relations, regulatory compliance, workplace investigations, policy administration, performance management, and workforce operations.
Builds trusted relationships with leaders at every level of the organization.
Coaches leaders through sensitive employee situations while balancing organizational risk and employee experience.
Promotes consistent, legally defensible decision-making.
Maintains confidentiality, professionalism, and sound judgment.
Leads with operational excellence while fostering a high-performing, customer-focused Human Resources team.

Responsibilities

Lead organizational compliance with federal, state, and local employment laws including FMLA, ADA, PWFA, USERRA, EEOC, wage and hour regulations, Minnesota Paid Leave, and other evolving employment legislation.
Monitor legislative and regulatory changes, translating requirements into organizational policies, practices, leader education, and operational processes.
Develop proactive strategies that minimize employment risk while supporting Lakewood's culture and mission.
Continuous improvement of organization-wide standards for employee relations, workplace investigations, conflict resolution, corrective action, and performance management.
Serve as senior advisor to leaders navigating complex employee situations.
Promote consistent, legally defensible decision-making across all departments.
Partner with executive and operational leaders to strengthen leadership effectiveness through coaching, accountability, education, and consultation.
Build leader confidence in performance conversations, documentation, investigations, and employee engagement.
Continuously evaluate HR workflows, systems, and service delivery to improve efficiency, consistency, compliance, and employee experience.
Drive continuous improvement initiatives utilizing data, technology, and best practices.
Provide leadership, coaching, mentoring, and accountability for HR Business Partners, Generalists, Coordinators, and other assigned HR staff.
Foster a high-performing HR team focused on exceptional customer service and operational excellence.
Develop succession planning and professional growth opportunities within the HR department.
Build trusted relationships with leaders at every level of the organization.
Serve as a confidential resource for sensitive employee matters requiring judgment, discretion, and objectivity.
Champion respectful workplace expectations.
Support initiatives that improve employee engagement, retention, recognition, and organizational culture.
Collaborate closely with the Senior Benefits & Compensation Partner to translate strategic compensation and benefit initiatives into effective operational execution, ensuring seamless delivery of total rewards programs across the organization.
Partner closely with internal and external stakeholders to ensure coordinated people strategies.
Oversee and lead complex workplace investigations from intake through resolution.
Oversee corrective action processes ensuring consistency, fairness, and legal compliance.
Provide consultation on performance management, misconduct, workplace conflict, accommodations, and employee concerns.
Monitor trends to proactively identify organizational risk.
Maintain compliance with employment laws and regulatory requirements.
Oversee HR policies, handbook maintenance, and required employment notices.
Coordinate internal audits of HR practices and documentation.
Ensure required reporting and record retention standards are maintained.
Oversee onboarding, employment documentation, personnel records, HRIS administration, unemployment responses, and HR operational processes.
Ensure standardized HR practices across all locations.
Support HR technology optimization and workflow improvements.
Provide operational oversight for leave administration processes including FMLA, ADA accommodations, workers' compensation coordination, and Minnesota Paid Leave.
Ensure regulatory compliance while partnering with the Senior Benefits & Compensation Partner on benefit-related leave administration and strategy.
Develop, revise, and implement organizational HR policies.
Standardize documentation templates, leader resources, and HR practices.
Conduct regular policy reviews to ensure compliance and operational effectiveness.
Provide operational oversight of the organization's employee benefits and compensation administration functions.
Ensure accurate administration of employee benefit enrollments, life events, COBRA, ACA reporting support, retirement programs, wellness initiatives, and other benefit offerings.
Oversee execution of annual compensation processes including wage adjustments, job changes, promotions, transfers, and compensation documentation in partnership with the Senior Benefits & Compensation Partner.