Director of Human Resources & Education at Northfield Hospital & Clinics – Northfield, Minnesota

The Director of Human Resources leads the HR function at Northfield Hospital + Clinics (NH+C), a community-owned health system committed to exceptional care and a strong organizational culture. This is a working director role — one that requires both strategic leadership and hands-on delivery.

The Director oversees a team spanning HR generalists, talent acquisition, learning and development, HR analytics, and payroll operations. The Director brings both business acumen and HR expertise to the role — understanding the financial, operational, and cultural dynamics that drive a healthcare organization — and translate that understanding into strong partnerships with clinical leadership, administrative directors, and the executive team. They are responsible for a clear and consistent HR service model that drives partnership while connecting leaders and employees across the organization to the right expertise at the right time.

The ideal candidate is a visible, credible, and decisive leader who builds trust by showing up, following through, and partnering with leaders and employees while delivering practical guidance in a complex environment.

Compensation

We are committed to providing wage ranges for all open positions. Please note that the specific compensation for this role will be determined based on experience, education and internal equity considerations. The wage range for this position is $116,875.00—$164,985.00 annually. This range reflects the base salary for this position.

Key Accountabilities

• Serve as a trusted advisor to the Executive Leadership Team and frontline leaders; design and implement a clear HR service delivery model that connects leaders and employees to the right expertise at the right time
• Build visible, proactive relationships across clinical and administrative areas; partner with clinical and medical staff leadership, navigating the distinct dynamics of a healthcare environment with credibility
• Represent HR to the Board of Directors on executive compensation matters
• Directly manage and develop the HR team — setting clear expectations, providing consistent coaching and mentoring, and supporting each team member's growth as NH+C evolves
• Oversee and evolve NH+C's compensation and benefits programs, ensuring pay practices are competitive, equitable, and clearly understood; partner with the CFO and finance team on planning, merit cycles, and budget alignment
• Ensure compliance with federal and Minnesota state employment law, including ESST, PFML, ADA, FMLA, and FLSA; oversee the workers' compensation program and evaluate LOA administration for capacity and risk
• Lead employee relations investigations and support fair and compliant performance management and consequence processes
• Lead workforce planning in partnership with Executive Leadership Team and department directors; oversee the talent acquisition function and build retention strategies grounded in turnover data and manager feedback
• Oversee payroll operations for a complex, multi-schedule workforce; maintain working HRIS proficiency and evaluate the HR technology suite for efficiency and data integrity improvements
• Oversee the L&D function; align leadership development and management capability priorities to NH+C's strategic goals and identify organizational development needs in partnership with leadership
• Manage the HR department budget, vendor relationships, and HR metrics reporting to support data-driven decision-making across the organization

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Organizational Development, or related field
• 5–7 years of progressive HR experience, including at least 3 years in a leadership or management role
• Demonstrated experience building trust and partnership with senior leaders in a complex organization
• Working knowledge of federal and Minnesota state employment law
• HRIS proficiency — able to run reports, maintain data integrity, and navigate systems independently

Preferred Qualifications

• Masters degree or SHRM-CP, SHRM-SCP, PHR, SPHR
• Healthcare, clinical, or regulated industry experience
• Experience with complex payroll environments (multi-schedule, multi-classification)
• Familiarity with public pension systems, including PERA
• Experience with compensation architecture, pay band design, and market benchmarking
• Exposure to executive compensation and board-level reporting
• Experience leading HR through organizational growth or workforce integration

• 80 hours per 2-week pay period
• Primarily Monday–Friday, core business hours

• Eligible for Management Incentive Plan (MIP) bonus
• Paid Time Off accrued starting on first paycheck
• Medical, Dental, and Vision (discount plan) coverage
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Life, AD&D, and Disability Insurance
• Pension Plan (PERA) with 7.5% employer match
• Optional 457(b) Retirement Plans
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Loan Forgiveness Eligibility – PSLF + MN state programs for qualifying roles
• Employer-Provided Certifications + Continuing Education
• Additional perks: Free On-Site Parking, Qualified Bilingual Staff Program, Employee Assistance Program, and discounts on cafeteria, scrubs, and OTC pharmacy items

Northfield Hospital + Clinics is a trusted, independent healthcare system with more than 800 employees. We’re recognized for our collaborative work environment and strong commitment to high-quality patient care and community impact. We’re proud to be named to Becker’s 2025 list of "100 Great Community Hospitals." Our services span the full spectrum of hospital and clinical care, with our main hospital located in Northfield, MN, and primary and specialty clinics in Northfield, Lakeville, Farmington, Faribault, and Kenyon—along with Urgent Care locations in Northfield, Lakeville, and Farmington. We offer care across 48 specialties and serve patients at 22 locations throughout the south metro and southern Minnesota.

Whether you're just starting your career or bringing years of experience, you'll find meaningful opportunities, supportive teams, and a chance to make a real difference here.