City of Wilmington, NC Hiring for Director of Human Resources Job at Wilmington, NC Full Time

The principal function of the Human Resources Director is to develop and execute human resources strategy in support of the overall business plan and strategic direction of the City, specifically in the areas of talent management, change management, organizational and performance management, training and development, compensation, classification, benefits and safety. The HR Director provides strategic leadership by articulating HR needs and plans to the executive management team, employees and City Council. Other related duties may be assigned.

This position will report directly to the Deputy City Manager and is a member of the City’s Executive Leadership Team.

Wilmington is the eighth largest city in North Carolina, and located in New Hanover County. Wilmington is a coastal town and port city situated in southeastern North Carolina and is considered approximately the midpoint of the eastern seaboard of the United States. The city is bordered by the Cape Fear River to the west and the Atlantic Ocean to the east. While having a diverse population of over 126,000, the City is an active business, service and industrial center for the surrounding five-county area with a population of more than 520,606 people area-wide.

Forbes magazine’s 17th annual ranking of Best Places for Business and Careers ranked Wilmington 35th out of the 200 largest metropolitan areas in the US. Wilmington earned the title of “Best American Riverfront” in USA TODAY’s “10 Best” contest for the Nation’s Best Riverwalk in 2014. Serving as economic drivers, prestigious companies, such as GE, Corning, Thermo Fisher Scientific, PMG, nCino, Live Oak and Alcami, among others, are drawn to Wilmington due to its educated workforce and favorable tax and regulatory policies. Higher education institutions in the City are represented by the University of North Carolina – Wilmington and Cape Fear Community College. The film industry has also played a large role in the local economy with productions such as Iron Man 3, Dawson’s Creek and One Tree Hill.

• Lead the HR team and provide leadership, advice and guidance to the Department Directors on all functional aspects of HR.
• Provides direct staff supervision including conducting performance evaluations, coordinating training, and implementing hiring, and discipline and termination procedures.
• Oversees the City’s recruitment, benefits, compensation, classification, employee relations, training and safety programs while promoting diversity equity and inclusion in these functional areas.
• Monitor daily work activities within the department to assure the timely and accurate completion of functional responsibilities and delegate responsibilities and authority to HR staff as appropriate.
• Participate in City and department-wide long range, strategic planning activities. Prepare and recommend objectives, methodologies, and associated schedules. Develop HR short and long term goals to align with City strategy.
• Presents various information and updates to City Council for approval and to Departments throughout the City to communicate information on department activities, positions and project/program status.
• Create, review, update, and implement HR policy and programs to ensure compliance with federal and state legislation; assist City leadership in administering policies.
• Develops, administers and oversees the department’s operating budget. Reviews financial statements, monitors and approves expenditures and ensures compliance.

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor’s Degree in HR, Public Administration or field directly related to assignment and eight (8) years of progressively responsible related experience. Professional HR certification (SHRM-CP, SHRM-SCP, PHR, SPHR, IPMA-HR) preferred.
• Knowledge of employment related laws, regulations, principles, practices, and techniques of HR administration and management.
• Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, leadership technique and coordination of resources.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills with ability to communicate and foster a cooperative and professional culture.
• Excellent time management skills with a proven ability to meet deadlines.
• Strong supervisory and leadership skills to motivate, develop, and provide direction.
• Ability to adapt to the needs of the organization and employees, prioritize tasks and to delegate them when appropriate.
• Proficiency with or the ability to quickly learn the organization’s HRIS and other software systems.

The Ideal Candidate:

ACCOUNTABILITY: The ideal candidate should be an established leader in the human resources field with comprehensive knowledge of the practices, principles and techniques of human resources administration and management, including the following areas: training, recruitment & selection compensation and benefits, and HRIS. The ideal candidate should be efficient, effective, and responsive with a genuine interest in strategic human resources management. The ideal candidate should have a proven ability and passion to engage staff and shape the culture of an organization while integrating policy, best practice, and employment law.

CREATIVITY: The ideal candidate should be a creative leader bringing innovation to the Human Resource Department with the ability to solve problems, think strategically, identify alternative courses of action, provide recommendations, and leverage technology to improve transactional services.

COLLABORATION: The ideal candidate should be able to work collaboratively to build strong relationships across the organization and create a positive atmosphere for employees in the organization and within the department. The ideal candidate must have the capacity and interest to be an effective mentor and leader for staff and should inspire staff to achieve a high degree of excellence; advanced written and oral communication skills are imperative.

INCLUSION: The ideal candidate should have experience working across the City to enhance the organizational values especially in the areas of customer service, fair and equitable treatment, appreciation and commitment of diversity, equity, inclusion, and teamwork.

Health Benefits are offered to employees working at least 30 hours per week.

Health Insurance – The City offers two options for health coverage: a standard PPO plan and a High Deductible Health Plan with an associated Health Savings Account. Coverage becomes effective the first day of the month following 30 days of employment for employees and their eligible dependents. Both you and the City contribute to the overall cost of coverage.
Dental Insurance – Coverage becomes effective the first day of the month following 30 days of employment. Employees, their spouse and dependent children are eligible for coverage.

Life Insurance – The city pays to provide coverage valued at one times your annual salary. Supplemental insurance is available for employees to purchase. Optional coverage for dependents is also available for purchase.

Retirement:
– NC Local Government Retirement System – All benefits eligible employees make a mandatory 6% contribution every pay period.

• Deferred Compensation – The city contributes an amount equal to 4.5% of the annual salary to either the 401(k) or 457 plans regardless of employee contribution. Employees may choose to contribute additional money to the deferred compensation plans, without a match from the City, within the IRS guidelines.

**This is intended to be a brief overview of the benefits offered. Please visit our website at https://www.wilmingtonnc.gov/departments/human-resources/benefits-and-forms for more information.**