Human Resources Director Job at International City/County Management Association

Overview

City of South Fulton, Georgia, Director of Human Resources
Position Closes October 18, 2025

If You Are a Human Resources Executive Who Models integrity and professionalism; Has expertise in a broad range of HR responsibilities; Embraces change, and is inspired to support a new organization’s growth; Has demonstrated success in attracting high-quality talent… then becoming the City of South Fulton’s next Human Resources Director may be the career move for you.

About the Community

The City of South Fulton, GA, is seeking a Human Resources Director to develop a young department and lay the foundation for the City’s organizational culture. The new Human Resources Director will be fluent in HR best practices, policies, and procedures, and will strategically apply them to the values and needs of the City of South Fulton. The new Director will oversee a Department with 12 full-time staff, in a City adjacent to the Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport, as well as numerous opportunities for recreation and building a high quality of life.

Incorporated in 2017, South Fulton is located 20 miles southwest of Atlanta, and less than 2 miles west of Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport, Georgia’s largest employer. Interstates 85, 285, and the South Fulton Parkway connect South Fulton to the airport and vital population and industrial centers, such as the Fulton Industrial District and Red Oak District. South Fulton has more undeveloped land than any other city in the region, positioning it for additional prime economic development opportunities. With 110,011 residents, South Fulton is the 7th most populous city in Georgia. It has the highest percentage of African American/Black residents of any US City over 100,000 residents (88%), a bachelor’s degree attainment rate of 43.1%, and a median household income of $79,871.

The South Fulton community offers entertainment and recreation options, including proximity to Atlanta’s offerings, the Wolf Creek Amphitheater, nature preserves and parks, a two-hour drive to the Appalachian Mountains, and water access from the Chattahoochee River. The warm southern climate supports abundant hardwood and pine forests, making the area a beautiful place to live.

About the Organization

The City of South Fulton employs a council-manager form of government, with a mayor and a seven-member City Council elected to four-year terms. The City Manager directs day-to-day operations and reports to the City Council. The City Manager ensures policies set by the council are adopted and followed, and that staff provide efficient and effective service for residents. The City’s vision is to be an innovative, diverse, safe, environmentally conscious, healthy, transparent, and financially sustainable community. The 2025–2029 Strategic Plan focuses on essential services, infrastructure, economic development, and environmental sustainability. The City’s 911 employees work across 16 departments to deliver services with respect and professionalism, aiming to collaborate with the community to shape the future.

About the Department and Position

Reporting to the City Manager, the Human Resources Director will oversee a department with an annual budget of approximately $6.7 million and 12 full-time staff (including the Deputy Director, Payroll Manager, Employee Relations Manager, and Risk Manager). The department strives to be an employer of choice, offering competitive benefits, recognition, opportunities for growth, respect, commitment, and work/life balance. Core values include accountability, diversity, innovation, integrity, respect, responsive customer service, teamwork, and trust.

The Human Resources Director will administer a broad range of human resource management functions city-wide, including employment relations, staffing and recruitment, compensation, employee benefits, policy and procedure development, training and development, performance management, and personnel records. This position is responsible for administrative oversight, visioning, leadership, planning, coordinating, and control of the Human Resources Department.

Key Priorities For The Next Human Resources Director

• Aligning policies and procedures with the values and needs of South Fulton, educating supervisors and staff, and ensuring consistent policy application.
• Increasing departmental staff capacity and development by enhancing training and aligning responsibilities with skillsets to meet HR needs of the City.
• Developing a plan for recruitment and retention, emphasizing equity and transparency in hiring, fostering partnerships with external organizations, and implementing approved merit-based pay increases.
• Reducing employee accidents and claims, to maintain a safe working environment and ensure City resources are used effectively.

Minimum Education And Experience

• A bachelor’s degree with major coursework in Human Resources, Public Administration, Business Administration, Sociology, or a related field.
• Ten (10) years of progressively responsible experience in Human Resources.
• Three (3) years of municipal government experience as a director or deputy director of human resources.
• Equivalent combination of education, training, and experience that provides the requisite knowledge, skills, and abilities for this job.

Preferred Certifications

• A master’s degree in human resources, Public Administration, Business Administration, Sociology, or a related field.
• Notary Public Certification from the State of Georgia.
• Active certification with a recognized Human Resource organization, such as SHRM-CP, SPHR, PIHRA, PHP, or PSHRA-CP.

The Successful Candidate Is

• Knowledgeable in HR best practices and trends, with significant experience in recruitment and retention, succession planning, benefits, classification and compensation, workers’ compensation, risk management, employee training and development, diversity initiatives, and performance management.
• Knowledgeable of state and federal employment laws and current with modifications made through executive orders.
• Proactive in addressing employee burnout and fostering a workplace culture that supports well-being, engagement, and retention.
• Able to revamp onboarding and orientation to ensure new employees are informed, confident, and well-integrated into the organization.
• Committed to internal growth and advancement, helping employees see clear career pathways within the organization.
• Adaptive and insightful, recognizing generational differences in the workforce and adjusting strategies to meet diverse needs.
• Willing to invest time in learning the organization, building relationships across departments, and developing a strategic plan rooted in real organizational needs.
• An active listener and collaborator who creates a shared vision by gathering input from staff, leadership, and stakeholders.
• Skilled at balancing organizational and employee interests, building trust and improving relationships to avoid an "us vs. them" culture.
• A strong and effective communicator who keeps department leaders informed, provides guidance on policy interpretation, and ensures decisions are well-documented and legally sound.
• A leader who demonstrates strong ethical judgment, resilience, and the ability to influence others—leading with integrity even under pressure, while building stakeholder relationships across employees, elected officials, and leadership.

Salary and Benefits

The hiring range is $132,886.40–$169,600.47. Base salary and compensation are negotiable within the range based on experience and qualifications.

How to Apply

To apply, please visit https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/developmentalassociates and click on the Human Resources Director – City of South Fulton, GA title.

• All applications must be submitted online via the Developmental Associates application portal (link above) – NOT the city’s employment application portal or any other external website.
• Resumes and cover letters must be uploaded with the application.
• Applicants should apply by October 18, 2005, to be considered during the first round of reviews.
• The hiring team will invite successful semi-finalists to participate in virtual interviews and skill evaluations on November 20–21, 2025. Candidates are encouraged to reserve these dates for virtual meetings should they be invited to participate.
• Direct all inquiries to hiring@developmentalassociates.com.

The City of South Fulton, GA, is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Developmental Associates, LLC, manages the recruitment and selection process for this position. To learn more about our selection process, visit https://developmentalassociates.com/client-openings/ and scroll down to “Important Information for Applicants.”