Human Resources Director

***Customer Service. Stewardship. Honesty. Integrity. Respect. Teamwork.*** If these core principles resonate with you, you might just be the perfect fit for our Human Resources department. The City of Manassas is preparing to welcome its next Director of Human Resources, who will serve as a member of the City’s Senior Staff reporting to the City Manager. This is a key leadership role responsible for guiding a people-first HR function that supports a collaborative and service-driven organization. There are HR jobs where the days are predictable. This is not one of them. This is an opportunity to join a leadership team that values partnership, accountability, and thoughtful decision-making while continuing to strengthen the employee experience across the organization. The City of Manassas is a vibrant and growing community in Northern Virginia known for its accessibility, strong leadership, and commitment to public service. The organization takes pride in fostering a workplace culture that emphasizes respect, trust, and continuous improvement. **Leadership and Culture** The City values leaders who are approachable, solutions-oriented, and grounded in integrity. The ideal candidate will bring a balanced approach that combines strategic thinking with practical implementation and a strong understanding of public sector environments. **Key Priorities** - Continue advancing a positive and consistent employee experience - Strengthen partnerships with department leadership - Evaluate and enhance HR processes for efficiency and clarity - Support leadership development across the organization - Maintain compliance while adapting to evolving workforce needs The Director of Human Resources will lead all aspects of the City’s HR operations and strategy including effective leadership, planning, and administration of the City's human resources department; employee relations, human resource policies & compliance, benefit & leave administration, performance management, city-wide training and development, HRIS, budget administration, talent acquisition/EEO, compensation and classification, risk management and safety compliance. This role will work closely with executive leadership and department heads to: - Inform critical decisions including staff selection and development, interpretation and explanation of personnel rules and state/federal laws - Develop and present personnel policy recommendations to City Council for approval - Strengthen workforce planning and organizational effectiveness in support of citywide goals and objectives - Support consistent and fair HR practices across departments - Enhance employee engagement and retention efforts - Continue building a responsive and trusted HR function - Master’s degree in Human Resources, Public Administration, or related field - Seven (7) years of progressively responsible HR leadership experience, ideally in local government - PHR/SPHR, SHRM or PSHRA certification is required - Strong working knowledge of employment law and HR best practices - Demonstrated ability to build trust across a diverse workforce - Experience advising senior leadership The ideal candidate will bring a strong foundation and will also be: - A **steady and trusted advisor** who builds credibility quickly - **Approachable and practical**, not overly theoretical - Comfortable navigating **complex employee relations matters** - Skilled at balancing **consistency with flexibility** - A **collaborative partner** who meets departments where they are - Focused on **solutions, not just policy enforcement** They understand that success in this role comes from building relationships, maintaining transparency, and supporting leaders in a way that is both consistent and thoughtful. **Compensation and Benefits** Salary range and benefits will be competitive and commensurate with experience. The City of Manassas offers a comprehensive benefits package and a supportive work environment that values balance and flexibility where oper…