Human Resources Manager - Professional Development/Employee Relations

Stafford County; Virginia (MN); On-site; USD 900 - 124,000; Full time

Job summary

Stafford County is seeking a proven HR leader to advance professional and leadership development, oversee employee relations programs, and shape HR strategy across the County. You will supervise two HR staff, collaborate with the HR Leadership Team, and help build workforce development aligned with County goals.

The role requires designing learning programs, advising leaders, and ensuring policy compliance, with a focus on organizational development and cross-functional impact.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in HR-related field with 5–7 years HR experience.
• Minimum two years in a management or leadership role; direct experience in professional development and employee relations preferred.

Responsibilities

• Provide leadership for Countywide HR programs including employee relations and professional development.
• Oversee talent management system, performance management, and LMS functions.
• Partner with HR Leadership Team to design strategies and plans for organizational development.
• Conduct needs assessments and set education and development priorities.
• Deliver, evaluate, and coach professional development across the County.
• Lead annual performance management cycle and succession planning processes.

Skills

Leadership

Employee relations

Learning & development

Interpersonal skills

Strategic HR

Communication

Needs assessment

Data analysis

Policy guidance

Change management

Education

Bachelor’s degree in HR or related field

Tools

Learning Management System (LMS)

HR systems/HRIS

Job description

Join Stafford County’s Human Resources team in a key leadership role responsible for advancing professional and leadership development and providing oversight and support for the department’s employee relations programs. As a member of the HR Leadership Team, this position will help shape and execute HR strategy, strengthen team effectiveness, and support workforce development across the County.

The ideal candidate will bring experience designing and delivering learning and development programs that respond to a wide range of organizational needs. They will be a collaborative, trusted adviser with strong interpersonal skills, sound judgment, and the ability to build productive relationships with leaders, managers, and employees throughout the organization.

This position reports to the Director of Human Resources and supervises two members of the HR team.

The hiring range for this position is $90,376.00 - $124,280.00 based on the selected applicant’s experience.

The full salary range for this position is $90,376.00–$158,163.20, providing opportunity for continued growth and development within the range.

• Provides leadership for Countywide human resources programs, including employee relations, performance management, and professional and organizational development;
• Oversees the administration and continuous improvement of the County’s talent management system, including its performance management and Learning Management System (LMS) functions;
• Collaborates with the HR Leadership Team to establish guiding principles, strategies, and plans for organizational development;
• Conducts comprehensive needs assessments and establishes education, training, and development priorities based on organizational needs, anticipated impact, and available resources;
• Designs, delivers, and evaluates professional development opportunities across the County by researching best practices, analyzing data, making recommendations, facilitating learning, coaching stakeholders, and leading related programs, projects, and systems;
• Develops an integrated learning and development framework that aligns education, training, and development needs with County goals and objectives;
• Supports the implementation and consistent application of Countywide human resources policies and procedures;
• Maintains current knowledge of employment laws and regulations and supports organizational compliance, including requirements related to the FLSA, ADA, COBRA, EEO, Civil Rights Act, and FMLA;
• Leads the annual performance management cycle, assists employees and managers with the process and system, and monitors progress toward timely completion;
• Partners with the HR Leadership Team and Executive Leadership Team to design and implement succession management processes, supporting resources, and system configurations;
• Oversees the progressive disciplinary process and provides coaching and guidance to managers and employees to support effective solutions and consistent application of policy;
• Ensures that documentation and files related to employee relations matters and investigations are complete, appropriately maintained, confidential, and accessible to authorized individuals;
• Analyzes, documents, and standardizes procedures to improve operational efficiency, consistency, and effectiveness;
• Provides cross-functional support for other County human resources programs, including recruitment and payroll, classification and compensation, benefits administration, and policy management and compliance, as needed;
• Conducts research and leads special projects as needed;
• Performs related duties as assigned.

• Thorough knowledge of the principles, methods, and best practices in employee relations, professional and organizational development, adult learning, training, and applied research;
• Thorough knowledge of the principles and practices of public-sector human resources administration, including applicable federal and state laws, regulations, and guidelines;
• General knowledge of local government organization and administration;
• Ability to communicate ideas, guidance, and recommendations clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing;
• Ability to analyze complex issues, exercise sound judgment, and develop practical solutions in collaboration with key stakeholders;
• Ability to conduct needs assessments, evaluations, and studies and to prepare well-supported reports and recommendations;
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with County officials, leaders, supervisors, employees, vendors, and members of the public.

Any combination of education and experience equivalent to a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in human resources administration, business management, organizational development, or a related field, and five to seven years of progressively responsible human resources experience, including at least two years in a management or leadership role.

Direct experience in professional or organizational development and employee relations is strongly preferred.

A recognized human resources certification—such as PHR, SPHR, SHRM-CP, SHRM-SCP, or an IPMA-HR credential—is preferred.