Human Resources Director

Frederick County Local Government; Winchester (VA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

Frederick County Local Government is seeking a Human Resources Director to provide strategic leadership and executive oversight of the County’s HR Department. You will serve as Department Head and the County’s chief HR executive, guiding workforce planning, policy development, and organizational effectiveness.

You will lead change across the department, advise the County Administrator and Board, and ensure compliance with employment laws while shaping compensation and classification programs for

Qualifications

• Four-year degree in human resource management, public administration, business administration, or similar.
• Master’s degree preferred for advanced leadership and strategic oversight.
• Ten years of progressively responsible professional HR experience including employee relations and employment law.
• At least five years of supervisory or executive management experience directing HR staff and budgets.
• Public-sector or local government HR administration experience preferred.
• Senior Professional in HR (SPHR), SHRM-SCP, or IPMA-SCP preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead the HR Department through the HR Manager, set priorities, oversee performance and service delivery.
• Serve as the County’s principal HR advisor to the Administrator, Board, HR Committee, and department heads on workforce strategy and employment law.
• Direct development, implementation, and review of HR policies and procedures for compliance and consistency.
• Lead organizational change initiatives including workforce planning, technology modernization, and leadership development.
• Monitor employment laws and HR best practices; prepare executive reports and policy recommendations.
• Provide leadership and performance management to the HR Manager and oversee HR programs and investigations.
• Develop executive reports, Board materials, workforce analyses, and strategic recommendations for decisions.

Skills

Strategic HR leadership

Workforce planning

Employee relations

Policy development

Organizational development

Executive advisory

Education

Four-year degree

Master’s degree preferred

Job description

We are looking for a Human Resources Director to provide strategic leadership and executive oversight of the County’s Human Resources Department. Under the County Administrator's general direction, this position serves as Department Head and the County’s chief Human Resources executive. The Human Resources Director provides guidance and strategic counsel to the County Administrator, Board of Supervisors, Human Resources Committee, Constitutional Officers, and Department Heads on workforce planning, employment law, compensation and classification, employee relations, policy development, and organizational effectiveness.

As a Human Resources Director, you will:

• Lead the Human Resources Department through the Human Resources Manager, set priorities, oversee performance and service delivery, and guide countywide workforce planning, organizational change, and strategic initiatives.
• Serve as the County’s principal Human Resources advisor to the County Administrator, Board of Supervisors, Human Resources Committee, Constitutional Officers, and Department Heads on workforce strategy, employment law, compensation, organizational effectiveness, succession planning, and employee relations.
• Direct the development, implementation, and review of Human Resources policies and procedures to ensure legal compliance, consistency, fairness, and operational effectiveness.
• Lead organizational change initiatives involving workforce planning, organizational restructuring, technology modernization, business process improvement, and leadership development, as directed by the County Administrator.
• Monitor employment laws and HR best practices, prepare executive reports and policy recommendations, serve as staff liaison to the Human Resources Committee, and collaborate with the County Administrator and County Attorney on significant personnel matters and organizational risk.
• Provide leadership and performance management to the Human Resources Manager while overseeing HR program administration, employee relations, complex investigations, and compliance with applicable federal and Virginia employment laws.
• Provide executive coaching, leadership, and performance management to the Human Resources Manager while promoting succession planning, cross-training, and professional development throughout the department.
• Develop executive reports, Board agenda materials, workforce analyses, strategic recommendations, policy proposals, and presentations to support executive and Board decision-making.
• Leads the County’s compensation and classification program, including salary structures, market analyses, classification studies, COLAs, merit programs, staffing plans, and organizational restructuring, ensuring market competitiveness, internal equity, fiscal responsibility, and alignment with County priorities.
• Direct countywide organizational development, leadership training, employee development, and performance management programs, evaluating workforce trends and program effectiveness to improve employee engagement, succession planning, and organizational effectiveness.
• Review recommendations involving new positions, organizational restructuring, supervisory relationships, and workforce realignment to ensure consistency with County priorities and available resources.
• Lead HR technology strategy, system improvements, automation, and data governance while ensuring appropriate records management, confidentiality, information security, and collaboration with IT, Finance, and other departments.
• Oversee departmental budgets, expenditures, staffing recommendations, and internal controls, and represent the County in HR-related matters with government agencies, professional organizations, consultants, insurance carriers, and community partners.

• Four-year degree from an accredited college or university, with major coursework in human resource management, public administration, business administration, or a similar concentration. Master’s degree preferred.
• Ten (10) years of progressively responsible professional Human Resources experience, including responsibility for employee relations, employment law, compensation and classification, organizational development, workforce planning, policy administration, strategic Human Resources management, and organizational leadership.
• At least five (5) years of supervisory or executive management experience directing professional Human Resources staff, advising executive leadership, administering complex employment matters, developing organizational strategy, and managing departmental operations and budgets.
• Experience in public-sector or local government Human Resources administration is strongly preferred.
• Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR), SHRM Senior Certified Professional (SHRM-SCP), IPMA-HR Senior Certified Professional (IPMA-SCP) preferred.

Physical Demands:

Work involves minimal physical effort, handling materials weighing up to 25 pounds, and activities such as sitting, walking, bending, reaching, and gripping. Occasional attendance at meetings outside normal business hours may be required.

Environmental Conditions:

Heated and air-conditioned office. The worker is not subject to adverse environmental conditions.

To learn more about Frederick County, Virginia employee benefits, please visit the following webpage: https://www.fcva.us/departments/human-resources/employee-benefits

All positions are subject to a criminal background check for any convictions that relate to the job duties and responsibilities. Frederick County Virginia Government is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.

The County’s EEO Utilization Report is available at www.fcva.us/jobs