Human Resources Director
Recruitment Announcement
THE COMMUNITY
Tacoma is a mid-sized urban port city that sits along the Puget Sound with a population of nearly 217,000. The third largest city in the state of Washington, it is a diverse, progressive international gateway to the Pacific Rim. Propelled by significant development such as the University of Washington Tacoma, the Tacoma Link light rail system, the restored urban waterfront of the Thea Foss Waterway, the expansions of both the MultiCare and Franciscan health systems, and a significant influx of foreign direct investment in its downtown core, Tacoma has evolved considerably since the 1990s.
Tacoma boasts the state's highest density of art and history museums, and is home to a flourishing creative community of writers, artists, musicians, photographers, filmmakers, chefs, entrepreneurs, and small business owners who each add their unique flair to the city's vibrant commercial landscape. The iconic Tacoma Dome has endured as a high-demand venue for some of the largest names in the entertainment industry.
A magnet for families looking for affordable housing options in the Puget Sound area, Tacoma also draws those who prefer to live in a more urban downtown setting with competitively priced condos and apartments that feature panoramic mountain and water views.
Tacoma's natural beauty and proximity to the Puget Sound and Mount Rainier draws hikers, runners, bicyclists, and maritime enthusiasts to the area. Its lively social scene is infused with energy by thousands of students attending the University of Washington Tacoma, the University of Puget Sound, the Evergreen State College Tacoma campus, and Tacoma Community College, as well as a number of local trade and technical colleges. Its prime location – just 20 minutes south of the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, 30 miles north of the state capital in Olympia, and within 10 miles of the U.S. Department of Defense's premier military installation on the West Coast – only adds to Tacoma's desirability. To see a few of the great things Tacoma has to offer, view this YouTube Video!
The City of Tacoma is committed to creating an inclusive, equitable and diverse work
environment. We hire amazing, qualified teammates from a wide variety of backgrounds
and experiences. The City recognizes that embracing differences and establishing an
environment that encourages diversity makes it a stronger, more effective organization. All
teammates are invited to bring their whole selves to work.
TRANSFORMING TACOMA
The City is dedicated to creating just and equitable outcomes for all, focusing on long term, systemic change and accountability to community. In June 2020, the Tacoma City Council passed Resolution 40622. This resolution formally acknowledges that the City of Tacoma existing systems have not adequately served the needs of everyone in our community, and in particular our community members of color. It affirms the City of Tacoma’s commitment to being an anti-racist organization and improving existing systems for all community members. For more information, please visit the
Transforming Tacoma webpage.
CITY GOVERNMENT AND THE HUMAN RESOURCES DEPARTMENT
The City of Tacoma operates under the Council-Manager form of government with a Mayor and eight Council Members. The City Council appoints the City Manager, and the City Manager selects and manages the activities of Department Directors. Tacoma Public Utilities (TPU) – a City entity responsible for Power, Water, Rail operations and the Click! Cable network – is managed by a Director who is selected by a five-member Utility Board whose members are, in turn, confirmed by the Mayor and City Council. The City’s 2021-2022 Biennial Budget totals over $3.7 billion with 3,900 employees.
Human Resources provides comprehensive services to support high-performing City operations. Human Resources staff serve as advisors and strategic partners for all City managers and supervisors on talent acquisition, total rewards, training and organizational development, continuous improvement, and equal
employment opportunity. The department has over 45 employees and a 2021-2022 Biennial Budget of $190 million.
MISSION
Our mission is to serve as strategic business partners who provide people solutions that support organizational objectives in alignment with Tacoma’s strategic vision - Tacoma 2025.
VISION
Our vision as a service organization is to be cultural catalysts supporting change and improving organizational effectiveness.
POSITION AND CANDIDATE PROFILE
Due to the planned retirement of the current Human Resources Director, the City of Tacoma is recruiting candidates for this critical executive leadership position. The Human Resources Director is the
administrative head of the Human Resources Department with the responsibility for directing the human resources program of the City in accordance with the provisions of the City’s Charter and ordinances. The Human Resources Director reports to the City Manager and is a key member of the City’s Executive Leadership Team with a critical leadership role in advancing the City’s organizational culture. The HR Director is expected to perform highly complex, innovative work resulting in significant, positive impacts to the City organization.
The Human Resources Director has a broad range of strategic, analytical, administrative, and project management duties. The position plans, organizes, manages and provides administrative direction and oversight for all functions and activities of the City’s HR Department. Through a lens of equity and inclusion, the position provides leadership and direction to the City’s human resources functions to include Talent Acquisition, HR Business Partnerships, Diversity, Organization and Talent Development, Employee Relations, Employee Communications, HR Technology, Total Rewards (Compensation, Benefits, and Employee Recognition), Continuous Improvement, Workforce Planning, and Employee Health.
THE IDEAL CANDIDATE
The top candidate for this position will have a successful and verifiable career history with proven success as a strong leader with executive level experience in succession planning, as well as compliance, and compensation and benefits. The new Director will be a hands-on, forward-facing servant leader that will drive culture change that encompasses diversity, inclusion and anti-racist systems transformation, thus enabling all employees to perform at their best. The successful candidate will be a confident leader with a growth mindset, as the organization will continue to evolve and change rapidly, along with the community. The selected candidate will possess a sense of urgency, take initiative, and demonstrate strong organizational development leadership. The candidate will have the ability to work effectively with people from different cultural backgrounds, understand cultural nuances of communication, and embrace what every person brings to the organization.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
• Drives a culture of diversity, equity, and inclusion; responsible for implementing City’s diversity/workforce equity study recommendations to include effective recruitment and retention strategies.
• Shares executive sponsorship of organization wide Anti-Racist Systems Transformation. • Develops and leads the implementation of
innovative HR strategies, structures and processes aligned with the City’s mission, values, and city-wide goals, and align resources to deliver effective results. • Collaboratively and cooperatively works
with the City Manager, department directors and other senior managers to analyze
organizational needs, and takes action in response to those needs in support of a high performing organization.
• Proactively and continuously works to monitor and evaluate the efficiency and effectiveness of human resource policies and programs.
• Communicates effectively orally and in writing.
• Engenders performance excellence, fosters collaboration and employee engagement and development, and attracts and retains high performing employees.
• Establishes and maintains effective working relationships with employees, members of management, City Council, labor unions, and the public.
• Maintains awareness of HR best practices and competitiveness of the City’s pay and benefits.
• Directs the development and administration of departmental budget.
• Ensures department and City operations conform to local, state, and federal
government regulations, and other applicable rules and policies. Interprets the City Charter, Compensation Plan and Personnel Rules for City and departmental officials, employees and their representatives, professional groups and the public.
• Provides leadership, resourcing, coaching and direction to Human Resources
employees as well as other executive and senior leaders.
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE
An accredited four-year college or university degree with major course work in human resources, business or public administration, industrial relations or closely related field, has led in medium to large organizations with history of success, and at least 8 years increasingly responsible experience, with at least 5 years in a management or senior leadership position in human resources. Advanced degree (MBA or MPA) with professional certification as a senior professional in Human Resources (SPHR, SHRM– SCP, IPMA-SCP, CSHRP) is preferred.
COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS
The current salary range for the director position is $155,584.00 - $199,513.60 annually. The City of Tacoma offers an attractive employee benefits package which includes retirement, medical, dental, vision and generous personal time off policies. Relocation assistance may also be available for a successful out-of-area candidate.
APPLICATION PROCESS
To be considered for this challenging and rewarding career opportunity, please submit your resume and cover letter to Jeff Dvonch, Shey-Harding Executive Search: jeff@shey-harding.com; (562) 252-8515; www.shey-harding.com.
This recruitment close date is June 30, 2021. First round panel interviews will be conducted virtually
in July. Finalist candidate(s) will be invited for an in-person interview, if appropriate, based on local and regional health guidance. The selected candidate’s hire will be contingent on a complete back-ground and reference check and will go before the Tacoma City Council for final confirmation.
The City of Tacoma is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. It is our policy that qualified people will be considered for employment, promotion, training, and retention, without regard to race, religion, color, national origin or ancestry, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, marital status, familial status (including pregnancy and/or adopting or having custody of a child under the age of 18), or the presence or perceived presence of any sensory, mental or physical disability. This policy also applies to any veteran honorably discharged from any branch of the armed forces of the United States.
