Director of People Services in Boone, North Carolina at Appalachian Regional Healthcare System

Director of People Services

Location: Boone, North Carolina | Full-Time, Exempt | Monday–Friday, Standard Hours

Why You'll Love Working Here

As the Director of People Services at UNC Health Appalachian, you'll lead a broad portfolio spanning Human Resources, the Learning Center, Occupational Health, and Employee Wellness — shaping the full employee experience from hire to ongoing growth and well-being. Reporting to the CHRO, you'll serve as the primary operational leader ensuring consistent, compliant, and service-oriented support across all four functions. You'll be part of a mission-driven health system committed to safety, teamwork, and professional growth.

Nestled in the scenic Appalachian Mountains, Boone offers the perfect blend of community, culture, and outdoor adventure.

• Benefits: Comprehensive medical/dental/vision, retirement with match, PTO, tuition reimbursement, paid parental leave, wellness incentives, and employee discounts.

What You'll Do as Director of People Services

Human Resources Operations

• Oversee daily HR department operations and workflow; supervise Managers, HRBPs, recruiters, and support staff.
• Manage departmental budget, vendor relationships, and training resources.
• Ensure timely, accurate processing of hires, transfers, promotions, and terminations, and maintain personnel records and HRIS data integrity.
• Monitor and track HR service metrics, including turnaround times, onboarding completion, and compliance tracking.

Recruitment & Onboarding

• Oversee full-cycle recruitment for clinical and non-clinical roles, ensuring efficient job postings, screening, interviews, and offer processes.
• Manage onboarding, including background checks, credential verification, orientation scheduling, and new hire documentation.
• Partner with department leaders to address immediate staffing needs.

Employee Relations

• Manage day-to-day employee relations issues, investigations, and conflict resolution.
• Advise managers on corrective actions, documentation, and performance concerns.
• Oversee disciplinary processes to ensure consistency and fairness, and respond to employee concerns promptly and professionally.

Compliance & Policy Administration

• Ensure operational compliance with employment laws and healthcare regulations (FMLA, ADA, HIPAA, OSHA, EEOC, state labor laws).
• Administer leave programs and track compliance deadlines.
• Maintain up-to-date HR policies and the employee handbook; support audits, accreditation reviews, and regulatory reporting.

Compensation & Benefits

• Oversee benefits enrollment, changes, and employee education.
• Oversee compensation changes and the market review process.

Performance Management & Training

• Administer the annual performance review process.
• Support managers with coaching, documentation, and improvement plans.

Learning Center Oversight

• Provide strategic and operational oversight of the Learning Center, including training programs, professional development offerings, and instructional resources for the organization.
• Ensure Learning Center initiatives align with organizational goals and workforce development needs.

Occupational Health Oversight

• Provide operational oversight of Occupational Health services, including employee health screenings, immunizations, and post-exposure follow-up processes.
• Ensure Occupational Health operations remain compliant with regulatory and organizational standards.

Employee Wellness Oversight

• Provide strategic oversight of employee wellness programming, ensuring offerings support the health and well-being of the workforce.
• Partner with wellness program leaders to evaluate and enhance engagement and outcomes.

Workforce Reporting & Analytics

• Generate regular HR reports, including turnover, vacancy rates, overtime, and staffing trends.
• Monitor workforce metrics across all People Services functions to identify operational issues and provide data-driven insights to the CHRO.

Qualifications

• Education:
  • Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Healthcare Administration, or a related field required.
• Experience:
  • 5–8 years of progressive HR experience.
  • 2+ years in a healthcare environment strongly preferred.
  • Experience managing employee relations in a regulated environment required.
  • Experience overseeing learning and development, occupational health, or employee wellness functions preferred.
• Licensure/Certifications:
  • None required.
• Skills & Abilities:
  • Strong working knowledge of employment law and healthcare compliance requirements.
  • Strong conflict resolution and investigation skills.
  • Detail-oriented with strong organizational skills.
  • Ability to manage multiple priorities and diverse functional areas in a fast-paced healthcare environment.

Physical & Work Environment

• Healthcare administrative setting with regular interaction with clinical and non-clinical staff.
• Prolonged periods of sitting, standing, and computer use.
• May require flexibility during staffing shortages or compliance deadlines.

What Sets Us Apart

• Career Growth: Structured advancement pathways, tuition reimbursement, and ongoing development through our Career Pathways Program.
• Impactful Work: As Director of People Services, you'll shape the full employee experience — from hire to ongoing growth, health, and well-being — supporting the workforce behind our three community hospitals, 13 medical practices, and specialty centers like the Seby B. Jones Regional Cancer Center.
• Community & Lifestyle: Boone ranks among the best small towns in America, offering outdoor recreation, arts, culture, and a welcoming atmosphere.
• Inclusive Culture: UNC Health Appalachian is committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion, ensuring every team member feels valued and supported.

Ready to lead the people strategy behind exceptional care? Apply today to join UNC Health Appalachian and make a lasting impact on our community.

About UNC Health Appalachian
UNC Health Appalachian, the leader for healthcare in the High Country, includes three hospitals, 13 medical practices, the Seby B. Jones Regional Cancer Center, The Rehabilitation Center, and Appalachian Regional Healthcare Foundation. We are committed to promoting health, enhancing quality of life, and “making life better.”

About UNC Health
UNC Health is an affiliated entity of the University of North Carolina system, comprised of 14 hospitals, 18 campuses, and over 500 clinics. Our mission is to improve health and well-being while supporting the education of future healthcare professionals. For more information, visit unchealth.org.

UNC Health Appalachian embraces diversity and does not discriminate based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, or other protected status. We are committed to a fair, respectful hiring process. For accommodations during the application process, please contact us.

Employment is contingent upon successful completion of a background check and drug screening.

For accommodations or additional information, contact recruitment@apprhs.org.