Human Resources Director

Yeo & Yeo HR Advisory Solutions; Kalamazoo (MI); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Metro in Kalamazoo, MI is seeking a seasoned Human Resources Director to shape culture, lead labor relations, and strengthen workforce programs for essential public services. You will guide organizational development, employee experience, benefits, and compliance to sustain safe, reliable public transportation.

The ideal candidate brings extensive HR leadership in a unionized setting, deep knowledge of applicable laws, and a track record of improving engagement in regulated environments.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field.
• Experience in senior HR leadership roles.
• Experience in unionized environments and labor negotiations.
• Strong knowledge of federal and local labor laws.
• Proven ability to shape culture and improve employee engagement.

Responsibilities

• Serve on the Executive Leadership Team to guide workforce planning and cultural development.
• Lead long-term HR strategies aligned with mission, operations, and fiscal sustainability.
• Oversee HR operations including talent acquisition, onboarding, and employee relations.

Skills

HR leadership

Labor relations

Strategic planning

Organizational development

Employee engagement

Cross-functional collaboration

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree (HR/Public Administration/Business/ Organizational Development)

Master’s degree preferred

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

Job description

Are you an experienced HR leader looking for a role where you can shape culture, lead labor relations, and support essential public services? If so, read on!

About Metro

Metro is the public transportation provider serving Kalamazoo County, with a history that stretches back to 1900. Over the past 50 years, we’ve evolved into a modern, accessible, and community‑focused transit system. Metro operates 21 fixed‑route bus lines across the Kalamazoo area, including the cities of Kalamazoo, Portage, and Parchment, as well as major institutions like Western Michigan University and Kalamazoo Valley Community College. Our fleet includes 46 fixed‑route buses. We also operate Metro Connect, a federally mandated, county‑wide ADA paratransit service that provides curb‑to‑curb transportation for seniors and individuals with disabilities.

About the Opportunity

The Human Resources Director serves as the senior executive leader responsible for developing and leading the agency’s people‑focused strategies, culture, labor relations, and workforce programs. This role ensures the transit authority attracts, develops, and retains a skilled, diverse, and engaged workforce to support safe and reliable public transportation. The Human Resources Director provides strategic leadership in labor relations, organizational development, employee experience, benefits, and workforce compliance.

Key Responsibilities

• Serve as a key member of the Executive Leadership Team, providing strategic guidance on organizational structure, workforce planning, and cultural development.
• Develop and implement long‑term HR strategies to support the organizational mission, operational goals, and fiscal sustainability.
• Lead workforce modernization initiatives, including technology adoption, training, and organizational development.
• Oversee HR operations including talent acquisition, onboarding, employee relations, performance management, compensation, benefits, and compliance.
• Ensure HR policies and procedures reflect industry best practices and comply with federal, state, and local employment laws.
• Serve as a negotiator or executive leader in collective bargaining with represented employee groups.
• Maintain strong, collaborative relationships with union leadership while ensuring adherence to collective bargaining agreements.
• Manage grievance procedures, arbitration preparation, and contract administration.
• Foster an organizational culture of respect, accountability, safety, and continuous improvement.
• Oversee leadership development, training programs, and succession planning to ensure a resilient workforce pipeline.
• Ensure compliance with FTA regulations related to workforce, drug and alcohol programs, safety-sensitive positions, and training requirements.

About You

• Demonstrated progressive HR leadership experience, including experience in a senior leadership role.
• Experience working in a unionized environment with responsibility for labor negotiations and grievance resolution.
• Strong knowledge of federal and local labor and employment laws.
• Demonstrated experience improving organizational culture and employee engagement.
• Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite (e.g., Outlook, Excel, Word and PowerPoint).
• Ability to act with a sense of urgency and multitask in a fast‑paced environment.
• Excellent interpersonal and collaborative skills and proven track record of success in working with cross‑functional teams.
• Strong oral and written communication skills and the ability to explain complex ideas to different audiences.
• Proven ability to inspire, coach, and develop effective relationships with all members of a team.
• Excellent analytical and problem‑solving skills.
• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution in Human Resources, Public Administration, Business Administration, Organizational Development, or a related field. Master’s degree preferred.
• Experience in public transportation, municipal government, or other regulated public‑sector environments preferred.