Chief Human Resources Officer, Director - Department of Human Resources - Executive Director III

THIS IS A NON-CIVIL SERVICE POSITION

CITY OF BALTIMORE, DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN RESOURCES

DIRECTOR AND CHIEF HUMAN CAPITAL OFFICER

Salary Range: $159,378.00 - $263,014.00, ANNUALLY

Starting Pay Range: $159,378.00 - $211,196.00, ANNUALLY
 

GET TO KNOW US

Welcome to the City of Baltimore! Experience the reward of a fulfilling career and enjoy the added element of excitement in a vibrant, diverse atmosphere. The City of Baltimore offers limitless opportunities to help drive social impact, both on the job and in the community, while serving its citizens. Join us in making Baltimore a great place to live and work. The city offers medical, prescription drug, dental, vision, optional life, AD&D, and FSA plans. This office also supplies wellness programs, support groups, and workshops. You can learn about our benefits here:  https://humanresources.baltimorecity.gov/hr-divisions/benefits

JOB SUMMARY

The City of Baltimore seeks a strong, forward-thinking, strategic leader to serve as its next Chief Human Capital Officer (CHCO) and Director of Human Resources. The Chief Human Capital Officer will lead the City’s Department of Human Resources and serves as the principal advisor to the Mayor and City leadership on human capital management. This position directly supervises the Deputy Director and an Executive Assistant.

Nature of Work:

The Department of Human Resources is comprised of nine functional offices, in addition to the Director’s Office and agency administration. These offices include Classification and Compensation; Employee Assistance Program; Employee Benefits and Wellness; Engagement and Strategic Partnership; HR Technology; Learning and Development; Policy and Compliance; Recruitment and Talent Acquisition; and Shared Services.

The City of Baltimore has approximately 14,000 funded full-time positions, 77 of which are within the Department of Human Resources. The Department’s FY2026 budget is $15.4M.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Manage the Department of Human Resources, including personnel decisions, budgetary management, performance management, contract management, etc.

• Provide technical expertise to the organization in the development and implementation of strategic and operational human capital initiatives and policies.

• Provide vision and oversight for talent acquisition, employee engagement, performance management, and succession planning.

• Represent DHR in meetings with elected/appointed officials and other city entities.

• Advise city leadership and agency directors on organizational development, change management, and human capital best practices in order to recruit, retain and develop talent.

• Foster a culture that reflects the City’s mission and goals.

• Ensure compliance with applicable federal, state, and local employment laws and regulations (e.g., EEO, ADA, FLSA, FMLA).

• Liaise with the Office of the Labor Commissioner to advise agency managers on issues pertaining to labor contract administration to ensure compliance with terms and conditions of collective bargaining agreements.

• Leverage HR information systems (HRIS) to improve data-driven decision-making.

• Use workforce analytics to inform strategy, forecast trends, and support operational planning.

• Serve as an executive sponsor for the City’s ERP, Workday.

• Administer employee benefits and pre-employment screening programs.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

EDUCATION

Qualified candidates will possess a master’s degree in human resources, public administration, or a related field.

LICENCES, REGISTRATIONS AND CERTIFICATES

Professional certification such as SHRM-SCP, HRCI SPHR, or PSHRA SCP is preferred.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• The next Chief Human Capital Officer will bring in-depth experience and comprehensive knowledge across all facets of human resources, to include strategic human capital management, organizational development, and performance measurement.
• The ideal candidate will demonstrate strong leadership in driving culture change and employee engagement initiatives and possess a deep understanding of management principles related to strategic planning, resource allocation, and coordination of people and systems.
• The Chief Human Capital Officer will be a steady, empathetic, and collaborative leader—someone who listens first, assesses thoughtfully, and leads with clarity and conviction. This person must be politically astute, comfortable in a high-accountability environment, and capable of building strong, trust-based relationships with the Mayor, City Administrator, and other department leaders.
• The ideal candidate will be approachable and adaptable, avoiding a rigid or top-down approach in favor of fostering teamwork, transparency, and responsiveness across the organization.
• Mentorship and internal development will be central to the CHCO’s success, particularly in supporting a younger HR staff.
• The role demands a deep understanding of equity, labor and employment law, and HR technology along with emotional intelligence and strong communication skills.
• The CHCO must lead by example, inspire a culture of fairness and service, and guide change initiatives that enhance employee engagement, standardize practices, and improve performance citywide.
• A commitment to public service, a customer-focused mindset, and the ability to thrive in a unionized, politically nuanced environment are essential.

FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE AND RESIDENCY REQUIREMENT

This position is required to complete an Affidavit for Political Appointees and Public Officials as part of the City’s Residency Requirement.  You will also be required to complete a Financial Disclosure pursuant to Sections 7-7, 7-8, and 7-9 of the City Ethics Law.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

BACKGROUND CHECK

Eligible candidates under final consideration for appointment to positions identified as positions of trust will be required to complete authorization for a Criminal Background Check and/or Fingerprint screening and must be successfully completed.

PROBATION

All persons, including current City employees, selected for this position must complete a 6-MONTH mandatory probation.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY STATEMENT

Baltimore City Government is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer, and we are committed to a workplace that values diversity, equity, and inclusion.

APPLICATION AND SELECTION PROCESS

We invite qualified professionals to submit a cover letter and resume by visiting our website.  This position is open until filled. We will evaluate all applications against the criteria outlined in this announcement.

BALTIMORE CITY IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER