Assistant Director, HR

The Human Resources Assistant Director collaborates with and supports the Human Resources Director in planning, organizing, directing and implementing a comprehensive, citywide human resources program.  Performs senior-level managerial work in a variety of Human Resources disciplines, with a specific focus on labor relations, employee relations, and compensation program oversight.  Supervises assigned program staff.  Serves as expert consultant and advisor to departmental managers, supervisors, and employees with the ability to independently and collaboratively solve difficult and complex human resources issues.  Demonstrates excellent customer service skills across all functions.    

Collaborates with stakeholders throughout the organization to design and implement Human Resources programs in support of the City’s vision, goals and objectives.  May serve as Acting Director in the absence of the Director.

Collaborate with and support the Human Resources Director to provide human resources program leadership and development:

• Assist the Human Resources Director in the day-to-day operations of the city’s human resources programs, with specific oversight of the labor relations, employee relations, and classification and compensation teams.
• Provide expert consulting services to City personnel in Human Resources disciplines.
• Continually analyze and evaluate human resource policies, procedures and guidelines to ensure alignment with city goals; collaborate with stakeholders; and develop recommendations for policy and system improvements.
• Monitor state and federal employment legislation and oversee compliance.
• Facilitate and participate in the establishment of strategic short-term and long-range departmental planning.
• Facilitate the development of a strategic departmental budget aligned to organizational goals and recommend allocation of funds within prescribed guidelines.
• Promote collaboration within teams and systems to ensure high-level of participatory decision-making.
• Represent the Human Resources Department at city council, city management meetings, at conferences, and in professional meetings.
• Foster strong partnerships with other Assistant Directors in HR to deliver holistic solutions on behalf of the city
• Perform the duties of the Human Resources Director in their absence.

Manage the city’s labor relations, employee relations and position classification and compensation programs:

• Analyze and develop labor relations strategies and present recommendations to City leadership: identify issues and research and evaluate options; ensure economic and non-economic goals are aligned with overall city goals and strategies; oversee the preparation and analysis of market data to assist in determining and supporting strategies; develop costing models and present cost implications of alternatives; oversee development of negotiation materials.    
• Act as primary city staff person in all labor relations matters including contract negotiations, dispute resolution, communications; relationship building; and contract interpretation and implementation. Manage the formation and activities of the city management team during contract negotiations.  Act as Chief Spokesperson and/or oversee team formation, development and progress.
• Evaluate, develop, and recommend changes to position classification and compensation program goals, strategies, policies and programs; ensure programs are consistent with and support overall organizational goals and promote attraction, retention, and motivation of employees. Monitor trend analysis and best practices.
• Supervise compensation, position classification, and labor relations staff in planning, scheduling, developing and coordinating program activities; ensure best practices implementation, a continuous learning and improvement environment, and ongoing collaboration with stakeholders.
• Develop comprehensive salary and benefit total cost of compensation methodologies and models.  Train subordinate staff and other city personnel on methodologies and collection, analysis and communication of total compensation data.
• Provide leadership support to the employee relations team on investigations, disciplinary procedures, and City policy or contract interpretation.
• Oversee contract, policy and system administration and communication.

• Perform related duties as assigned.

Manage special projects or other Human Resources functions as assigned:

• Lead or staff internal department or cross-departmental teams representing the perspective of HR.
• Lead staff in researching, evaluating and recommending comprehensive, integrated salary and benefit program strategies to efficiently enhance recruitment, retention and morale.  
• Promote teamwork, open communication, and collaboration in all department activities.
• Maintain current knowledge of state, federal, and local employment legislation and lead staff in compliance activities.

Education and Experience Requirements   

• Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with a Bachelor’s degree in Human Resource Management, Labor Relations, Law, Public Administration, or other related field.  Advanced degree (JD) preferred.
• Seven (7) or more years of progressively responsible related experience in labor relations, compensation and employee relations: interpreting federal, state and local laws related to public employment; managing negotiations and the resolution of complex Human Resources issues in a unionized environment; analyzing jobs and working with classifications and compensation program design, techniques, planning and management.  
• Experience in the public sector and as a chief spokesperson in collective bargaining required.
• A minimum of three years related supervisory experience.
• Any equivalent combination of education, experience and training that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities will be considered.

Additional Qualification Criteria

• Considerable knowledge of the principles and practices of public human resources management including fair employment practices, labor relations, risk management, benefits administration, compensation and classification.
• Strong customer service skills.  Ability to demonstrate principles of collaborative decision-making.
• Advanced knowledge of federal, state, and local legislative, regulatory and judicial requirements applicable to the areas of human resource management.
• Thorough knowledge of strategic planning techniques and principles, policy development and analysis, management techniques and principles, and project management techniques and principles.
• Experience and knowledge with the funding process in a municipal environment as related to budgeting, cost accounting, financial planning, and management.
• Skill in planning, directing, and administering human resources programs and systems.
• Ability to prepare and analyze comprehensive reports; ability to carry out assigned projects to their completion; ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees, labor unions and the general public; ability to work with and within teams.
• Skill in effective, clear and persuasive oral and written communications to individuals and groups from diverse backgrounds.
• Ability to handle multiple competing priorities and complex problems encountered using knowledge acquired through training and experience; skill in researching complex issues and developing recommendations.
• Skill in carrying out complex assignments independently and make decisions based on established law, policies, and procedure.
• Ability to provide leadership, counsel, motivation, and constructive performance reviews to assigned staff.
• Ability to plan and organize the work of others; ability to delegate; ability to manage project/activity deadlines for self and others.

Working Conditions & Physical Requirements

• The physical demands and work environment described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
• Work involves walking, talking, hearing, using hands to handle, feel or operate objects, tools, or controls, and reaching with hands and arms.  Vision abilities required by this job include close vision and the ability to adjust focus.
•  The employee may be required to push, pull, lift, and/or carry up to 10 pounds.
• The noise level in the work environment is usually moderately quiet.