Human Resources Director in Wilmington, North Carolina at City of Wilmington

One City. One Workforce. One Purpose.

Are you a proven executive leader with a demonstrated track record of leading successful organizational change and building high-performing organizations?

The City of Wilmington is seeking a Human Resources Director to serve as its chief human capital strategist and lead the City’s human resources programs, services, and workforce initiatives with integrity.

Reporting to the Chief of Staff and serving as a member of the Executive Leadership Team, the Human Resources Director serves as the City's chief human resources strategist and organizational development leader. This executive-level position is responsible for leading the Human Resources Department, driving organizational change initiatives, advising executive leadership on complex workforce matters, and building a high-performing workforce aligned with the City's strategic priorities.

The Director is expected to bring demonstrated success leading an HR department through transformation, modernization, and continuous improvement while fostering a culture of accountability, engagement, and service excellence. The successful candidate will have a proven ability to assess existing systems and practices, distinguish between symptoms and root causes, and implement strategic improvements that strengthen organizational effectiveness, employee experience, and operational outcomes.

The city seeks an accomplished HR leader who has successfully led and improved complex systems beyond managing existing processes.

This is a reposted position. If you have previously applied, your application remains under consideration, and there is no need to reapply

Strategic Leadership & Organizational Change

• Lead organization-wide change initiatives, including workforce restructuring; cultural transformation; process modernization; and implementation of new workforce strategies
• Demonstrate the ability to influence executive leaders and department directors in achieving organizational objectives through strategic human capital planning
• Champion organizational effectiveness by identifying systemic challenges and implementing sustainable solutions that improve workforce performance and service delivery
• Serve as a trusted executive advisor and change agent capable of leading through ambiguity, resistance, and competing organizational priorities

Department Leadership & HR Operations

• Provide strategic and transformational leadership for the Human Resources Department, positioning HR as a trusted advisor to City leadership and advancing initiatives that strengthen employee experience, improve organizational effectiveness, and support the City of Wilmington’s goal of being an “Employer of Choice”
• Build organizational credibility for HR through responsive service delivery, sound judgment, consistent policy application, and strong relationships across all levels of the organization
• Develop and mentor HR professionals while creating departmental succession plans, performance standards, and a culture of continuous improvement
• Implement continuous improvement efforts to ensure capacity and capability of the HR team

Employee Relations & Workplace Investigations

• Provide leadership and oversight of employee relations functions including workplace investigations, disciplinary processes, grievance management, and conflict resolution
• Ensure investigative processes are thorough, impartial, and legally defensible; and that personnel matters are handled fairly, consistently, and in compliance with applicable laws and policies
• Provide guidance to department directors and supervisors regarding complex employee relations issues
• Oversee investigations involving allegations of misconduct, harassment, discrimination, retaliation, and other workplace concerns

Policy Development & Governance

• Develop, review, and implement personnel policies and procedures to support effective workforce management
• Ensure policies comply with federal and state employment laws and reflect best practices in municipal human resources management
• Advise executive leadership and City Council on personnel policies and workforce initiatives.
• Promote consistent application of policies across departments

Compliance

• Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local employment laws including Title VII, ADA, FMLA, FLSA, ADEA, and related regulations
• Partner with the City Attorney’s Office on employment-related legal matters
• Identify and mitigate potential organizational risks related to workforce practices
• Maintain a fair, respectful, and legally compliant workplace environment for all employees

Budget & Resource Management

• Develop and manage the Human Resources Department operating budget
• Monitor expenditures and ensure responsible stewardship of public resources
• Lead the assessment, redesign, and modernization of HR systems, processes, and service delivery models, with demonstrated outcomes in efficiency, compliance, employee experience, and organizational effectiveness
• Use data, metrics, and workforce analytics to drive strategic decisions and measure the effectiveness of HR programs and initiatives
  

Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Public Administration, Business Administration, Organizational Leadership, or a related field with ten (10) years of progressively responsible human resources leadership experience, including at least five (5) years directing a human resources function, department, division, or major operational area with responsibility for strategic planning, organizational development, workforce planning, and supervision of professional staff.

• Valid driver's license with acceptable driving record
• Experience in municipal or public-sector human resources strongly preferred
• Experience leading an HR department through significant organizational change, modernization efforts, process improvement initiatives, or workforce transformation is strongly preferred.
• Professional HR certification such as SHRM-SCP, SPHR, or IPMA-HR certification preferred (required within 1 year of hire)

Ideal Candidate

The ideal candidate is a proven Human Resources executive with demonstrated success leading an HR department within a complex organization. They will bring a track record of driving organizational change, modernizing HR operations, implementing sustainable process improvements, and achieving measurable workforce outcomes.

This individual is a strategic, systems-oriented leader who makes thoughtful, evidence-based decisions, and has successfully led organizational transformation through collaboration, credibility, and sound judgment.

The successful candidate will be a champion for both the organization and the Human Resources team, with demonstrated success developing staff, building high-performing teams, and establishing HR as a trusted strategic partner. They will possess the executive presence, integrity, and leadership experience necessary to navigate complex workforce challenges while fostering trust, accountability, transparency, and continuous improvement.

• Office Work: Primarily sedentary, involving prolonged sitting, computer use, telephone and office equipment operation, and standard office tasks. Requires visual acuity, hearing, and manual dexterity for reviewing documents, analyzing data, and completing administrative responsibilities.

• Field Work: require standing, walking, stooping, kneeling, crouching, reaching, pushing, pulling, and lifting or carrying objects up to 10 pounds occasionally. Employees may encounter uneven terrain, traffic, construction areas, and outdoor weather conditions and must use appropriate personal protective equipment.

• General Requirements: The position involves occasional travel to meetings, evening events, and after-hours response, as needed, in support of a 24-hour municipal operation. All work is performed in compliance with applicable State and Federal OSHA regulations, including hazard communication, personal protective equipment, and slip, trip, and fall prevention