Director of Human Resources

Posting number: 020018-26-HR

Department: Human Resources

Division: HR Administration

Job classification: Director of Human Resources

Posting type: Open

Categories: Administration, Human Resources, Management, Professional, Executive Management, Miscellaneous, Human Services

Summary

IDEAL CANDIDATE

The next Director of Human Resources for the City of Sacramento is an approachable, highly competent leader who brings a balance of operational discipline and strategic vision to a large, complex municipal organization. The ideal candidate is a relationship-first professional who builds trust deliberately with executive leadership, department heads, labor representatives, and human resource staff alike, and understands that credibility in this role is earned through consistency, integrity, and follow-through. This is a leader who communicates with clarity and calm, particularly during periods of organizational change, and who can set shared expectations, establish clear priorities, and hold themselves and their team accountable to meaningful outcomes.

The successful candidate brings deep expertise in public sector human resources and a thorough understanding of California labor law, collective bargaining, and the unique dynamics of a heavily unionized environment. Experience managing complex, multi-unit labor negotiations is essential – Sacramento administers 14 labor agreements across 9 represented employee groups, and the Director must be capable of navigating those relationships with both rigor and a constructive, solutions-oriented approach. Familiarity with the California Public Employee Retirement System (CalPERS), civil service systems, and the legal and regulatory framework governing municipal employment in California will be critical to the Director's effectiveness from day one.

The ideal candidate is a skilled people leader who delegates thoughtfully, invests in the professional growth of staff, and fosters a team culture built on collaboration, mutual support, and high standards of service. The Director creates an environment where staff feel empowered to bring ideas forward, take ownership of their work, and grow as professionals.

The successful candidate is a strong internal consultant and strategic partner to City leadership. They understand the operational realities of running a large municipal organization and can translate human resource strategy into practical guidance that resonates with department directors managing diverse workforces. This individual is equally comfortable presenting to City Council on complex topics such as compensation, benefits, and labor strategy as they are working alongside a department head to resolve a difficult personnel matter. They approach every interaction with professionalism, political awareness, and a commitment to equitable outcomes.

The Director of Human Resources will have a strong foundation across the full spectrum of human resource functions: classification and compensation, benefits administration, recruitment and selection, workers' compensation and risk management, employee relations, diversity and equity, and records management, and brings a continuous improvement mindset to each of these areas. The next Director is technologically fluent, with experience leading or overseeing Human Resource Information Systems (HRIS) implementations and an appreciation for how modern human resource systems can improve the experience of both employees and the departments they serve. This individual is deeply committed to advancing racial and gender equity as a core organizational value and brings the knowledge and experience to move that work forward in a meaningful, lasting way.

Under executive direction, the Director of Human Resources plans, organizes, administers, directs, and reviews the activities of the Human Resources Department; provides human resources policy direction and oversight; serves as secretary and advisor to the Civil Service Board; and serves as a member of the City's Executive Team.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

This is a single-position executive management c