Human Resource Director

Upper Cumberland Electric Membership Corporation•Carthage, TN

10d

About The Position

The Human Resources Director serves as the senior leader responsible for the overall direction and oversight of all human resource functions for the cooperative and reports directly to the General Manager/CEO. This role partners closely with executive leadership to develop and implement workforce strategies that support operational excellence, employee engagement, and long-term organizational sustainability. The HR Director also serves as a strategic advisor on personnel policy development, workforce planning, and organizational effectiveness. The Human Resources Director leads recruitment and retention strategies, succession planning, compensation and benefits administration, policy development, regulatory compliance, performance management, and employee development initiatives. The position supervises the Human Resources Generalist and directs the daily activities of the Human Resources Department to ensure programs and practices are administered in accordance with cooperative policies and applicable laws and regulations. This role oversees employee benefits administration, including coordination with insurance providers, insurance billing reconciliation, and required reporting such as Form 5500 filings. The Director also provides guidance on complex employee relations matters and oversees personnel records, employee orientation, training and development, payroll related coordination, and human resources reporting and documentation. Additional responsibilities include directing preparation of the Cooperative’s Affirmative Action and Equal Employment Opportunity programs, conducting internal audits to ensure compliance, submitting required AAP/EEO statistical reports, preparing and managing the Human Resources department budget, and supporting recruitment outreach through schools, state agencies, and civic organizations.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Personnel Administration, Business, Human Resources, or related field preferred
Minimum eight years of relevant human resources experience in a utility or related organization desired, or an equivalent combination of education and experience
Experience with personnel administration, insurance and benefits programs, payroll processes, and HR practices within utility operations preferred
Strong knowledge of employment law including FLSA, FMLA, ADA, EEO, and related regulations
Experience designing and administering compensation and benefits programs
Experience with HRIS systems and payroll oversight
Strong analytical, organizational, and decision-making skills
Ability to maintain strict confidentiality and exercise sound judgment
Strong written and verbal communication skills
Ability to research information, analyze data, and develop recommendations and plans of action
Ability to interpret and apply laws, policies, and employment regulations
Ability to obtain and maintain First Aid and CPR certification
Valid Tennessee driver’s license

Nice To Haves

Supervisory or leadership experience preferred
Professional certification such as SHRM SCP, SHRM CP, SPHR, or PHR strongly preferred

Responsibilities

Researches, develops, and implements competitive compensation, benefits, performance appraisal, leadership, and employee incentive programs.
Collaborates with executive leadership to define the organization’s long term mission and goals; identifies ways to support this mission through leadership development, employee engagement and strategic talent management.
Collaborates with executive leadership to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion and best practices.
Plans and directs the preparation of the Cooperative’s Affirmative Action/Equal Employment Opportunity Programs in compliance with regulations and directs the preparation of the Cooperative’s Affirmative Action/Equal Employment Opportunity Programs in compliance with government legislation and management’s directives. Conducts internal audits of corporate practices to identify possible violations, and complies and submits required AAP/EEO Statistical reports.
Administers Cooperative benefit programs. Acts as a liaison between employee and insurance providers, and resolves benefit related problems ensuring effective utilization of plans and positive employee relations. Ensures plans are administered in accordance with federal and state regulations and plan provisions are followed. Advises management and employees of existing benefits. Coordinates human resources procedures to initiate benefits, maintenance of benefits records and preparation of documents necessary for implementing benefit coverage.
Oversees the auditing, reconciliation and processing of monthly billings from insurance providers. Oversees the preparation of annual form 5500’s for pension and welfare plans.
Supervises, directs, and trains Human Resources staff in complex duties in the following areas: group life and health insurance, payroll, benefits plans and enrollment, records maintenance, performance evaluations and matrix adjustments, training records, job postings, safety, etc. Oversees the maintenance of individual personnel files, security of same, and ensures that employee privacy rights are respected in all dealings with personnel files, records, and reports, as required.
Oversees accurate records are maintained for the following functions: personnel files, insurance records, pension plans, workers compensation/accident records, training and development, CDL and non-CDL driver information, etc.
Prepares Human Resources department budget and monitors expenditures.
Oversees new hire orientations to ensure that employees gain an understanding of benefit plans, enrollment provisions, and personnel policies.
Oversees the answering of routine personnel inquiries, such as: employment verification for credit purposes, reference information about terminated employees, and insurance information and processing unemployment claims.
Oversees the maintaining records and insuring that employees receive disability income (STD, LTD & Workers Compensation) when applicable.
Oversees the preparation and dissemination for mass distribution to all employees, such as annual individual pension statements, quarterly 401k statements, summary plan descriptions, summary annual reports, insurance certificates and benefit booklets, etc.
Develops and presents programs regarding job opportunities and hiring practices to schools, state agencies, and civic organizations.
Develops a system for internal and external flow of communications and documents from the Assistant General Manager office for matters relative to the human resources function.
Keeps well informed and up-to-date about the latest practices and events in the business world related to this position. Maintains knowledge of industry trends and employment legislation and ensures company’s compliance.
Oversees design and production of employee identification cards.
Performs other such duties as requested or required from time to time.
Attends and participates in safety meetings scheduled by the Cooperative as required.