General Manager Policy (Human Resources Department)

HUMAN RESOURCES DEPARTMENT  -  POLICY, PLANNING AND OPERATIONS DIVISION

The Policy General Manager serves as the internal consultant for City Departments developing or revising employee-related policies, administrative directives, procedures, and standard operating practices. Leadership is provided for policy programs and functions, including the responsibility for developing, interpreting, and recommending program goals and objectives, policies and procedures, and courses of action. This position is responsible for managing policy and compliance related activities according to established guidelines and sound administrative practices in accordance with the organization’s mission, values, and goals.

The General Manager position reports to the Chief Policy and Planning Officer and has macro level responsibility for leading the policy function to effectively and efficiently provide service to internal customers while ensuring that all laws, rules and regulations are met and applied. The position collaborates with department leadership, Human Resources, Labor Relations, Civil Service, the Law Department, and executive leadership to ensure policies are legally sound, operationally effective, aligned with collective bargaining agreements, and consistent with the City's strategic priorities.

• Provides vision, leadership, planning, project coordination and management for the development and facilitation of policy operations, processes, and procedures to meet current and future business demands and needs.
• Plans, directs, trains, and supervises employees on a daily basis, including assignment of work, performance reviews and recommendations regarding career development and progression.
• Supports the planning, management, and coordination of the Policy function and activities.
• Acts as a liaison between customer departments and the Human Resources Department by developing, implementing, and maintaining employee-related departmental policies and programs, administrative directives, and standard operating procedures.
• Proposes strategic advice for city-wide leaders on policy matters to drive organizational effectiveness, mitigate risk, and ensure compliance with city-wide HR policies, Civil Services rules, applicable laws, and collective bargaining agreements.
• Supports consistent application of HR policies and procedures and conduct audits to identify and address compliance issues with the appropriate parties.
• Consults with directors/division heads to roll out compliance initiatives and participate in internal investigations relative to policy violations.
• Assists with creating, establishing, and maintaining policy best practices in conjunction with the Chief Policy and Planning Officer.
• Assists with the development and assessment of compliance metrics, performs risk analysis, and develops strategies to evaluate policy effectiveness.
• Identifies opportunities to reduce risk by strengthening and/or modernizing policies, recommending revisions, and providing training to managers/employees, as needed.
• Interprets federal and state employment laws and regulations, including but not limited to FLSA, FMLA, ADA, and HIPAA.
• Assists with the development of detailed justifications for proposals or initiatives in the budget development process.

• May perform additional duties as assigned.

Qualifications (required):

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resource Management, Business Administration, Public Administration, or other related field of study.
• Must have a minimum of seven (7) years of progressively responsible experience in employment law, human resources, policy development and governance, or public administration, which includes five (5) years of direct experience over human resource functions.
• Significant experience directly handling and providing guidance on a variety of Human Resource compliance matters.

Qualifications (preferred):

• Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree strongly preferred.
• Experience practicing employment law.
• Experience in the public sector and/or a unionized environment.
• Experience developing enterprise policy and governance frameworks.
• Experience drafting and interpreting employment policies, administrative directives, and procedures.

Equivalency

• Equivalent combinations of education and experience that provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities will be evaluated on an individual basis. 

Evaluation Plan

• Writing Sample: P/F
• Interview: 70%
• Evaluation of Training, Experience & Personal Qualifications: 30%
• Total of Interview and Evaluation T.E.P: 100%

LRD: 07/28/2026

Physical Demands

• The work is characterized as sedentary.

• Human Resources positions sit comfortably to do their work. 

• Some site visits may be required.

Work Environment

• Work is performed in a comfortable office environment which is appropriately lighted, heated, and cooled.
• The work environment contains no significant hazards.
• Some work may require walking and standing in conjunction with travel to and attendance at meetings and conferences away from the work site.

The above statements describe the general nature and level of work performed by employees assigned to the class.  Incumbents may be required to perform job-related responsibilities and tasks other than those stated in this specification.  Specific job duties may vary from position to position.  The City of Detroit is an Equal Opportunity Employer.  No applicant for employment shall be discriminated against on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, disability, or other criteria prohibited by City, State, or Federal law.