Human Resources Director

Frederick County Local Government • Winchester, VA

23d

About The Position

The Human Resources Director provides strategic leadership and executive oversight of Frederick County’s Human Resources Department. Under the general direction of the County Administrator, the Director serves as Department Head and the County’s chief Human Resources executive, advising the County Administrator, Board of Supervisors, Human Resources Committee, Constitutional Officers, and Department Heads on workforce planning, employment law, compensation and classification, employee relations, policy development, and organizational effectiveness.

The Director leads the department through the Human Resources Manager, sets priorities, oversees performance and service delivery, and guides countywide workforce planning and organizational initiatives. The role directs HR policy and program administration, complex employee relations matters and investigations, compensation and classification programs, organizational development, leadership and employee development, performance management, and HR technology strategy. The Director also prepares executive and Board materials, oversees departmental budgets and internal controls, and represents the County in HR-related matters.

Requirements

• Four-year degree from an accredited college or university, with major coursework in human resource management, public administration, business administration, or a similar concentration.
• Ten years of progressively responsible professional Human Resources experience, including employee relations, employment law, compensation and classification, organizational development, workforce planning, policy administration, strategic Human Resources management, and organizational leadership.
• At least five years of supervisory or executive management experience directing professional Human Resources staff, advising executive leadership, administering complex employment matters, developing organizational strategy, and managing departmental operations and budgets.

Nice To Haves

• Master’s degree.
• Experience in public-sector or local government Human Resources administration.
• Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR), SHRM Senior Certified Professional (SHRM-SCP), or IPMA-HR Senior Certified Professional (IPMA-SCP) certification.

Responsibilities

• Lead the Human Resources Department through the Human Resources Manager; set priorities and oversee performance and service delivery.
• Advise the County Administrator, Board of Supervisors, Human Resources Committee, Constitutional Officers, and Department Heads on workforce strategy, employment law, compensation, organizational effectiveness, succession planning, and employee relations.
• Direct the development, implementation, and review of Human Resources policies and procedures to support legal compliance, consistency, fairness, and operational effectiveness.
• Lead organizational change initiatives involving workforce planning, restructuring, technology modernization, process improvement, and leadership development, as directed by the County Administrator.
• Monitor employment laws and HR best practices; prepare executive reports and policy recommendations; serve as staff liaison to the Human Resources Committee; and collaborate with the County Administrator and County Attorney on significant personnel matters and organizational risk.
• Provide leadership and performance management to the Human Resources Manager and oversee HR program administration, employee relations, complex investigations, and compliance with applicable federal and Virginia employment laws.
• Promote succession planning, cross-training, and professional development throughout the department.
• Prepare executive reports, Board agenda materials, workforce analyses, strategic recommendations, policy proposals, and presentations.
• Lead the County’s compensation and classification program, including salary structures, market analyses, classification studies, cost-of-living adjustments, merit programs, staffing plans, and organizational restructuring.
• Direct countywide organizational development, leadership training, employee development, and performance management programs; evaluate workforce trends and program effectiveness.
• Review recommendations regarding new positions, organizational restructuring, supervisory relationships, and workforce realignment for consistency with County priorities and available resources.
• Lead HR technology strategy, system improvements, automation, and data governance, ensuring records management, confidentiality, and information security, and collaborating with IT, Finance, and other departments.
• Oversee departmental budgets, expenditures, staffing recommendations, and internal controls.
• Represent the County in HR-related matters with government agencies, professional organizations, consultants, insurance carriers, and community partners.

Benefits

• Employee benefits information is available on the Frederick County, Virginia employee benefits webpage; specific benefits are not listed in the posting.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior