Human Resources Director

City of Southfield Human Resources

Southfield (MI)

On-site

USD 123,000 - 185,000

Full time

2 hours ago

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Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Retirement plan

Life insurance

Vacation and sick leave

Tuition reimbursement

Job summary

The City of Southfield seeks a Human Resources Director to lead a centralized, full-service HR Department for a municipal workforce, ensuring recruitment, retention, and competitive compensation while aligning with City policy goals.

Reporting to the City Administrator, the Director will manage labor relations, policy compliance, training, and retirement administration for ~FTE 600, with a focus on strategic workforce development and fiscal sustainability.

Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Public Administration, Business Administration, Labor Relations, or a closely related field.
A master’s degree and/or professional human resources certification is preferred.
Seven years of recent experience as a human resources director or senior manager in a government organization of similar size and scope.
Experience in ongoing employee/labor relations, labor contract negotiations, recruitment and selection, and compensation and benefits.
Knowledge of laws affecting public-sector employment and demonstrated leadership, problem-solving, analytical, organizational, presentation, communication, and technology skills.

Responsibilities

Lead human resources for a workforce reflecting the diverse community served.
Oversee recruitment, retention, and compensation work.
Shape the HR Department through organizational review and team development.
Foster internal talent, succession planning, and pride in City employment.
Collaborate with City Administrator and City Council to advance workforce priorities and organizational goals.

Skills

Leadership

Problem-solving

Analytical thinking

Organizational skills

Presentation skills

Communication skills

Technology proficiency

Knowledge of public-sector employment

Education

Bachelor’s degree in HR/Public Administration/Business Administration/Labor Relations or related field

Master’s degree preferred

HR certification preferred

Job description

SOUTHFIELD, MICHIGAN -- HUMAN RESOURCES DIRECTOR

Southfield, MI (pop. approximately 77,000) - Located immediately north of Detroit, Southfield is one of Oakland County's largest suburbs and a major regional business center. The City's daytime population approaches 175,000, reflecting its concentration of major employers, international companies, and professional services.

The Human Resources Director is appointed by and reports to the City Administrator, subject to confirmation by the City Council, and serves as a member of the City's Core Management Team. The Director leads a centralized, full-service HR Department supporting a diverse municipal workforce and the delivery of high-quality public services. The next Director will ensure the City is focused on recruiting and retaining a qualified, motivated, trained, and productive workforce, aligned with the policy goals of the City of Southfield, while maintaining fiscal sustainability in compensation and benefits. The City has approximately 600 full-time-equivalent employees (FTEs), including 450 full-time staff and 150 FTE part-time, contract, and seasonal. In addition, the city administers benefits for approximately 700 retirees. The Human Resources Director oversees labor and employee relations, collective bargaining involving nine bargaining units, recruitment and selection, compensation and benefits, civil service support, policy development and legal compliance, training and organizational development, and retirement administration. The Director directly manages a team of approximately 10 employees including staff dedicated to recruitment, employee benefits, training and development, health and safety, and retiree administration.

Representative Job Duties

Lead human resources for a workforce that reflects the diverse, dynamic community it serves.

Build on a strong foundation in recruitment, retention, and compensation work.

Shape the future of the HR Department through organizational review and team development.

Foster internal talent, succession planning, and pride in City employment across the organization.

Partner closely with the City Administrator and City Council to advance workforce priorities and organizational goals.

Job Requirements - As Determined By the City Of Southfield

Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Public Administration, Business Administration, Labor Relations, or a closely related field. A master's degree and/or professional human resources certification is preferred.

Seven years of recent experience as a human resources director or senior manager in a government organization of similar size and scope. Direct experience in the areas of ongoing employee/labor relations, labor contract negotiations, recruitment and selection, and compensation and benefits.

Considerable knowledge of the laws affecting public-sector employment and demonstrated leadership, problem-solving, analytical, organizational, presentation, communication, and technology skills.

Supplemental Information

Wage range of $122,967.85 to $184,524.44, with a comprehensive benefits package. Placement of the successful candidate within the wage range will be based on the candidate’s experience and qualifications. This is an unclassified, at-will position in the Management Group. Regular attendance at evening meetings is required. Applicants will be subject to a thorough background investigation.

We offer a complete benefits package to career employees including health care, dental, vision, retirement, deferred compensation plans, flexible spending accounts, life insurance, long-term disability, holidays, vacation, and sick leave and more!

City of Southfield Employee Benefits Summary

Mandatory Benefits: Medical, Dental and Vision Elections, or Opt Out

Supplemental Benefits: Term Life, Aflac, Met Law, Retirement Savings Account, Tuition Reimbursement, EAP, FMLA, Flexible Spending Account, Residency Bonus

Blended Pension Plan Employees

Defined Benefit SERS

1.5% Multiplier for all years of service

3 Years Final Average Compensation Upon Retirement

10 Years Vesting

5% Employee Contribution

Defined Contribution 401a MissionSquare

3% 401 a City Contribution

3% 401 a Employee Contribution (minimum)

5 Year Vesting Schedule

https://www.missionsq.org/

Retirement Health Savings

Effective July 1, 2020 Tier III and IV employees shall contribute 2% of pensionable wages and the City will contribute $100 per month.

https://www.healthcare.gov/

5 years of years of service: 50% vested

6 years of service: 75% vested

7 years of service: 100% vested

Participation in the RHS begins on the first day of employment and end on the day of separation.

Life Insurance MetLife

Benefits

The city provides term life insurance benefits with accidental death and dismemberment for qualified employees as soon as possible, through the proper insurance carrier in accordance with the following schedule:

AFSCME 329: 0-30 months employment $30,000 life and ADD, after 30 months of employment $50,000 term life, accidental death and dismemberment coverage.

ACS TPOAM PST AFSCME 3636: $50,000 Term life and $50,000 ADD Insurance

Medical Elections

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan (2025)

Community Blue PPO 10

Community Blue PPO 12

Community Blue PPO 15

HAP HMO

Dental - Blue Cross Blue Shield

Vision - Blue Cross Blue Shield

Health insurance 1st day of the next month of hire date.

Employee has 30 Days to select benefits, otherwise will wait until open enrollment.

COBRA coverage through TASC – in the event of separation– you are entitled to continuation medical coverage up to 18 months.

Retirement Savings Account

Supplemental

MissionSquare 457b

or T. Rowe Price 457b

Retirement savings account with no employer contribution. Funds, added to a 457 can be pre-tax or post-tax.

Pre Tax funds lower taxable income in bi-weekly paycheck; however, taxes may have to be paid upon the distribution of funds in retirement.

Post-tax deferrals are taken from already taxed funds in your paycheck, which means that little to no taxes will be taken upon distribution in retirement. Loans are available.

Supplemental

Tuition Reimbursement

75% reimbursement for tuition and fees (excluding late fees) for city-related classes or degree programs with a grade of "B" or better, up to $2,500 annually, plus 75% for required books.

Residency Bonus

Annual residency bonus of 1.5% of annual salary by Jan 1st with proof of residency. Elected officials and contractual employees ineligible.

Fire and Police Excluded

Supplemental

MetLife

Voluntary Term Life and ADD

Additional life Insurance can be purchased for employees and dependents at an additional cost for the employee.

AFLAC Short term disability, cancer, accident, hospitalization insurance. Dennis Patton dennis_patton@us.aflac.com.

Supplemental

EAP Ulliance

Employee Assistance Program through Ulliance- six free counseling sessions, legal, finance and life coaching programs. Supervisors are not notified if employee uses services.

FMLA

Family Medical Leave Act worked up to 1250 hours or one year. Can take off time to care for a medical emergency for themselves or immediate family members for up to 12 weeks unpaid. Absences approved by BASIC or FMLA vendor.

Supplemental

FSA & Dependent Care

Flexible Spending Accounts and Dependent care through TASC are pre-tax funds that are used to cover certain out-of-pocket medical expenses and childcare costs. A total dollar amount is elected, and a debit card is sent to you to pay for incurred expenses.