City of Tacoma
Overview
City of Tacoma
Human Resources (HR) Director provides strategic leadership and oversight of all HR programs, policies, and services for the City, including Tacoma Public Utilities (TPU). The HR Director promotes a high-performance, customer-focused culture; builds trust; and strengthens relationships with internal and external partners. Through visionary leadership and operational excellence, this position ensures HR is a catalyst for organizational success, aligning people strategies with the City’s mission and community priorities. This position develops and implements innovative strategies to attract, retain, and engage a high-performing, diverse workforce, while ensuring compliance with applicable laws, collective bargaining agreements, and the City Charter and ordinances. The HR Director reports to the City Manager and serves as a trusted advisor to the Director of Tacoma Public Utilities, executive leadership, department heads, and elected officials on workforce planning, employee/labor relations, and organizational development. The Human Resources Director has a broad range of strategic, analytical, administrative, and project management duties. The position plans, organizes, manages and provides administrative direction and oversight for all functions and activities of the City\'s HR Department.
Below, you will find a complete breakdown of everything required of potential candidates, as well as how to apply Good luck. Responsibilities
Develops and leads the implementation of innovative HR strategies, structures and processes that are consistent with the City\'s mission, values, and city-wide goals and ensures that the appropriate resources and structures are in place to deliver effective results.
Builds strong relationships with key stakeholders through transparency, communication, and shared problem-solving. Demonstrates keen insight into the varied business requirements of the City and applies knowledge of business and the marketplace to advance the organization’s goals, in partnership with the departments, including TPU.
Works collaboratively and cooperatively with the City Manager, the Director of Tacoma Public Utilities, department directors, senior leaders, and others to build partnerships, assess and address organizational needs, and meet shared objectives.
Establishes and maintains effective, customer-focused working relationships with employees, City management, City Council, the Civil Service Board, Public Utility Board, and the public.
Instills trust and cultivates a climate of trust and accountability within the department and across the organization.
Demonstrates courage and a high level of emotional intelligence.
Manages complexity, is a sophisticated systems thinker, and balances strategic mindset with hands-on operational oversight.
Champions a culture of diversity, equity, and inclusion and recommends ways to embed these principles into core processes.
Communicates effectively, both orally and in writing, while demonstrating professionalism and diplomacy in challenging situations.
Maintains awareness of HR best practices and competitiveness of the City\'s pay and benefits, including in the varied labor markets.
Directs the development and administration of budgets, policies, projects and programs of the department to effectively and efficiently deliver high quality services to the City and the community.
Ensures department and City operations conform to local, state, and federal government regulations, and applicable HR related rules and policies.
Understands and communicates regarding the City Charter, Compensation Plan and Personnel Rules for City and departmental officials, employees and their representatives, professional groups and the public.
Leads the development, documentation, and communication of consistent and transparent human resources processes across the organization. Oversees key functions including hiring, employee relations, continuous improvement, and compensation and benefits, ensuring policies are applied fairly and equitably.
Proactively monitors and evaluates the efficiency and effectiveness of human resource policies and identifies opportunities for improvement using HR best practices and developed key performance indicators. Guides the adoption of, and drives results through, data-driven decision-making by leveraging workforce analytics to anticipate challenges and inform strategy.
Minimum Qualifications Minimum Education & Experience
A bachelor\'s degree in human resources, business administration or a directly related field.
A master’s degree in human resources, business administration, public administration or closely related field is desirable.
Twelve (12) years of progressively responsible human resources experience including prior supervisory and managerial experience.
Five (5) years of public sector experience is desirable.
Previous experience as an HR Director or Assistant Director is desirable.
Any combination of professional experience and academic preparation which provides the applicant with the required skill set may be considered. Equivalency: 1 year of experience = 1 year of education.
Application Process The City of Tacoma is partnering with the Prothman Company for this hiring process. To apply, go online to
www.prothman.com
and click on Open Recruitments, select City of Tacoma – Human Resources Director and click on Apply Online. The application will include an online form, a resume, a cover letter, and two supplemental questions.
Please refer to the Selection Process & Supplemental Information below for details regarding The Application Process.
Acknowledgments The City of Tacoma is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified candidates are strongly encouraged to apply by
October 1, 2025 . Applications, supplemental questions, resumes and cover letters will only be accepted electronically. Resumes, cover letters, and supplemental questions can be uploaded once you have logged in at
www.prothman.com .
Important Dates The initial application review is October 1, 2025; however, screening and preliminary interviews will be conducted on a rolling basis. Two rounds of final interviews in Tacoma will be offered to select candidates. The first round is anticipated to be conducted during the week of
October 20–27 , with a second round of interviews to follow shortly thereafter. Availability during this time is required for consideration.
Commitment to Equity & Diversity At the City of Tacoma, we are committed to maintaining a diverse and inclusive workforce. We actively seek candidates from a wide range of backgrounds and cultures to help build a more vibrant, inclusive, and equitable community for all.
City Government The City of Tacoma operates under a Council–Manager form of government. The City Council consists of a mayor, five district representatives, and three at-large representatives. The City Manager administers the City\'s day-to-day operations. Tacoma has a population of approximately 222,000 residents and is a major regional center. Tacoma Public Utilities operates under the direction of the Public Utility Board with the Director of Utilities as a peer to the City Manager. The City of Tacoma employs approximately 3,700 FTEs with a 2025–2026 biennial budget of $4.3 billion.
Compensation & Benefits The current salary range for the Director position is $182,894.00 – $257,524.80 annually. The City offers a comprehensive benefits package including retirement, medical, dental, vision and generous PTO. Relocation assistance may be available for a successful out-of-area candidate.
The City of Tacoma is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply by
October 1, 2025 . Applications, supplemental questions, resumes and cover letters will only be accepted electronically. Resumes, cover letters, and supplemental questions can be uploaded at
www.prothman.com .
www.prothman.com
| 206.368.0050
#J-18808-Ljbffr
City of Tacoma
Human Resources (HR) Director provides strategic leadership and oversight of all HR programs, policies, and services for the City, including Tacoma Public Utilities (TPU). The HR Director promotes a high-performance, customer-focused culture; builds trust; and strengthens relationships with internal and external partners. Through visionary leadership and operational excellence, this position ensures HR is a catalyst for organizational success, aligning people strategies with the City’s mission and community priorities. This position develops and implements innovative strategies to attract, retain, and engage a high-performing, diverse workforce, while ensuring compliance with applicable laws, collective bargaining agreements, and the City Charter and ordinances. The HR Director reports to the City Manager and serves as a trusted advisor to the Director of Tacoma Public Utilities, executive leadership, department heads, and elected officials on workforce planning, employee/labor relations, and organizational development. The Human Resources Director has a broad range of strategic, analytical, administrative, and project management duties. The position plans, organizes, manages and provides administrative direction and oversight for all functions and activities of the City\'s HR Department.
Below, you will find a complete breakdown of everything required of potential candidates, as well as how to apply Good luck. Responsibilities
Develops and leads the implementation of innovative HR strategies, structures and processes that are consistent with the City\'s mission, values, and city-wide goals and ensures that the appropriate resources and structures are in place to deliver effective results.
Builds strong relationships with key stakeholders through transparency, communication, and shared problem-solving. Demonstrates keen insight into the varied business requirements of the City and applies knowledge of business and the marketplace to advance the organization’s goals, in partnership with the departments, including TPU.
Works collaboratively and cooperatively with the City Manager, the Director of Tacoma Public Utilities, department directors, senior leaders, and others to build partnerships, assess and address organizational needs, and meet shared objectives.
Establishes and maintains effective, customer-focused working relationships with employees, City management, City Council, the Civil Service Board, Public Utility Board, and the public.
Instills trust and cultivates a climate of trust and accountability within the department and across the organization.
Demonstrates courage and a high level of emotional intelligence.
Manages complexity, is a sophisticated systems thinker, and balances strategic mindset with hands-on operational oversight.
Champions a culture of diversity, equity, and inclusion and recommends ways to embed these principles into core processes.
Communicates effectively, both orally and in writing, while demonstrating professionalism and diplomacy in challenging situations.
Maintains awareness of HR best practices and competitiveness of the City\'s pay and benefits, including in the varied labor markets.
Directs the development and administration of budgets, policies, projects and programs of the department to effectively and efficiently deliver high quality services to the City and the community.
Ensures department and City operations conform to local, state, and federal government regulations, and applicable HR related rules and policies.
Understands and communicates regarding the City Charter, Compensation Plan and Personnel Rules for City and departmental officials, employees and their representatives, professional groups and the public.
Leads the development, documentation, and communication of consistent and transparent human resources processes across the organization. Oversees key functions including hiring, employee relations, continuous improvement, and compensation and benefits, ensuring policies are applied fairly and equitably.
Proactively monitors and evaluates the efficiency and effectiveness of human resource policies and identifies opportunities for improvement using HR best practices and developed key performance indicators. Guides the adoption of, and drives results through, data-driven decision-making by leveraging workforce analytics to anticipate challenges and inform strategy.
Minimum Qualifications Minimum Education & Experience
A bachelor\'s degree in human resources, business administration or a directly related field.
A master’s degree in human resources, business administration, public administration or closely related field is desirable.
Twelve (12) years of progressively responsible human resources experience including prior supervisory and managerial experience.
Five (5) years of public sector experience is desirable.
Previous experience as an HR Director or Assistant Director is desirable.
Any combination of professional experience and academic preparation which provides the applicant with the required skill set may be considered. Equivalency: 1 year of experience = 1 year of education.
Application Process The City of Tacoma is partnering with the Prothman Company for this hiring process. To apply, go online to
www.prothman.com
and click on Open Recruitments, select City of Tacoma – Human Resources Director and click on Apply Online. The application will include an online form, a resume, a cover letter, and two supplemental questions.
Please refer to the Selection Process & Supplemental Information below for details regarding The Application Process.
Acknowledgments The City of Tacoma is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified candidates are strongly encouraged to apply by
October 1, 2025 . Applications, supplemental questions, resumes and cover letters will only be accepted electronically. Resumes, cover letters, and supplemental questions can be uploaded once you have logged in at
www.prothman.com .
Important Dates The initial application review is October 1, 2025; however, screening and preliminary interviews will be conducted on a rolling basis. Two rounds of final interviews in Tacoma will be offered to select candidates. The first round is anticipated to be conducted during the week of
October 20–27 , with a second round of interviews to follow shortly thereafter. Availability during this time is required for consideration.
Commitment to Equity & Diversity At the City of Tacoma, we are committed to maintaining a diverse and inclusive workforce. We actively seek candidates from a wide range of backgrounds and cultures to help build a more vibrant, inclusive, and equitable community for all.
City Government The City of Tacoma operates under a Council–Manager form of government. The City Council consists of a mayor, five district representatives, and three at-large representatives. The City Manager administers the City\'s day-to-day operations. Tacoma has a population of approximately 222,000 residents and is a major regional center. Tacoma Public Utilities operates under the direction of the Public Utility Board with the Director of Utilities as a peer to the City Manager. The City of Tacoma employs approximately 3,700 FTEs with a 2025–2026 biennial budget of $4.3 billion.
Compensation & Benefits The current salary range for the Director position is $182,894.00 – $257,524.80 annually. The City offers a comprehensive benefits package including retirement, medical, dental, vision and generous PTO. Relocation assistance may be available for a successful out-of-area candidate.
The City of Tacoma is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply by
October 1, 2025 . Applications, supplemental questions, resumes and cover letters will only be accepted electronically. Resumes, cover letters, and supplemental questions can be uploaded at
www.prothman.com .
www.prothman.com
| 206.368.0050
#J-18808-Ljbffr