Are you a proven HR leader who is ready to elevate your skillset to the next level and work with a dynamic team in a fast-paced, multi-faceted environment? This may be the opportunity you are looking for. The Deputy Director will work closely with and support the Director in leading the HR department and is responsible for strategic planning, policy development, and operational oversight. The 22-member department is transitioning from a transactional to a strategic approach and is implementing a new HRIS, currently underway with a planned go-live summer 2026. This role ensures compliance with employment laws, promotes workforce development, and drives initiatives that enhance employee engagement and operational effectiveness.

About the Community:

Winston-Salem is the County seat of Forsyth County and the fifth-largest City in North Carolina. Forsyth County is the fourth-largest county in the state. With a population of around 252,000, Winston-Salem, eighty miles northeast of Charlotte, is part of the Piedmont Triad region with the neighboring cities of Greensboro and High Point. A city of dual histories, Salem was a Moravian community in the 1700s, and Winston was established as the county seat for newly established Forsyth County and became a hub of business and economic activity for the region.

Winston-Salem is more than a destination: North Carolina's City of Arts & Innovation is an unexpected discovery waiting to happen. More than seventy-five restaurants and thirty bars & breweries adorn the streets of Winston-Salem's walkable downtown. The Arts District, Innovation Quarter, and Industry Hill offer unique cultural experiences to explore just moments away from Winston-Salem's roots in Old Salem's renowned historic district. Further out, Winston-Salem is the gateway to the Yadkin Valley Wine Country region, home to over seventy wineries within a short drive of the City.

The birthplace of R.J. Reynolds Corporation, Winston-Salem, has strong ties to its rich tobacco and textile manufacturing history, which are woven seamlessly into the fabric of this future-looking NC city. The City's rankings for job growth outlook and safety are among the best nationwide. Innovation Quarter, one of the country's foremost innovation districts, houses many biomedical, pharmaceutical R&D, and biotechnology businesses. Corporate giants like HanesBrands, Garner Foods, and Inmar Intelligence have built business empires in Winston-Salem alongside Collins Aerospace, Caterpillar, Cook Medical, Corning, and others. The sites of excellent higher education institutions such as Wake Forest University, Winston-Salem State University, UNC School of the Arts, Salem College, Carolina University, and Forsyth Technical Community College are all within the City.

Winston-Salem is a city that will surprise, delight, and inspire you with its welcoming spirit and creative soul. Come see why Southern Living called Winston-Salem a "glorious gem of a destination" and one of America's "Best Cities on the Rise." Grab a creative craft brew, stroll through Winston Salem's heirloom gardens or its 3,500 acres of parks and recreation and twenty-five miles of greenways and trails. Attend a game at The Dash or one of the City's renowned events, including the International Black Theatre Festival and the RiverRun International Film Festival. Experience the City's celebrated culinary scene and admire its dazzling murals. Take a video tour of the City to learn more about this vibrant community.

About the Organization:

Operating under a Council-Manager form of government, the City of Winston-Salem has a mayor elected at-large, and an eight-member City Council elected every four years in each of the City's eight wards. The City Council is responsible for adopting and providing for all ordinances, rules, and regulations necessary for the City's general welfare. It approves the city budget, sets property taxes and user fees, appoints the City Manager and City Attorney, and approves appointments to city boards and commissions.

With a AAA bond rating from Moody’s and S&P, Winston-Salem is dedicated to being a municipal government deserving of public confidence, providing excellent and innovative services, and being an active and cooperative partner in creating a vital community. The framework for all decisions and strategic planning is the City's core values of Accountability, Continuous learning and improvement, Equity, Fiscal Soundness, Integrity, Openness, Respect for all Residents, and Teamwork. The City has dedicated resources to transparency and accountability for meeting city goals and objectives through the Budget and Performance Management Department. The City employs about 2,500 full-time employees across multiple departments and offices.

About the Department:

The Department's operating budget is about $2.7M and a health care fund of $36M, with 22 HR staff providing oversight of all City programs meeting the organization's human capital needs services in the HR function areas of recruitment and selection, benefits administration, employee relations, employee development, employee medical services, and human resources information and data management. The Department currently uses a centralized system with a mixture of individual specialists and generalists.

About the Position:

The Deputy Human Resources Director serves as a senior leadership role within the Human Resources Department, providing strategic, operational, and administrative support to the Human Resources Director. This position assists in planning, directing, and overseeing comprehensive human resources programs for a local government organization, ensuring compliance with federal, state, and local laws, and governing body policies. The Deputy Director acts on behalf of the Director as assigned and plays a key role in advancing the organization’s workforce strategy, culture, and service delivery.

• Assist in developing and implementing HR strategies aligned with organizational goals
• Assist in the overall management, planning, and administration of the Human Resources Department
• Oversee and direct the work of several divisions that may include Talent Acquisition, Employee Development, Employee Medical, Benefits, and/or Employee Relations
• Work closely with the director in developing, implementing and evaluating ongoing HR policies, programs, functions and activities
• Counsel leadership and employees regarding human resources matters
• Building trust and relationships internal to HR, with other department leadership, and with the workforce generally to ensure effective outcomes
• Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local employment laws and regulations
• Develop, prepare, generate, analyze, and present information and data related to workforce metrics
• Manage HRIS systems, data reporting, and HR metrics
• Supervise and mentor HR staff
• Provide support and assistance to the HR Director in special projects and strategic planning
• Serve in absence of the Director

• Bachelor’s degree in: Human Resource Management, Industrial Psychology, Business Administration, Public Administration, or a closely related field is required. Equivalent combinations of education and experience will be considered.
• At least 7 years of progressively responsible Human Resources experience with at least 5 years of supervisory experience managing human resources programs in the public or private sector.
• A master’s degree is strongly preferred.
• Prior experience in government or the public sector is highly desirable.
• Must possess exceptional skills in planning, organization, verbal and written communication, conflict resolution, and interpersonal relations.
• Proven ability to build and maintain effective working relationships across all levels of an organization.
• Comprehensive knowledge of federal and state employment laws, municipal HR regulations, and best practices in human resource management is essential.

SUBMIT RESUME & COVER LETTER with your application.

This position falls under the residency policy which requires a principal residence within a thirty-mile radius of the Winston-Salem City Hall or a principal residence within a thirty-mile radius of the Winston-Salem City Hall within 180 days of the hire date.