Human Resources Director

The City of Valdosta is seeking applications for a Human Resources Director. The City of Valdosta is a unique community, blending its historic past with a dynamic and high growth environment, coupled with a diversity to give it economic viability and strength. In 1860, Valdosta was incorporated as the new county government seat. With a population of 166 people, Valdosta thrived as the county government seat of Lowndes County and the inland capital for Sea Island cotton. The City’s first 10 years, it grew 622 percent with a population of 1,999; and it is now approaching a population of 60,000. Valdosta has seen explosive growth in the last decade. The City of Valdosta operates under a Council/Manager form of Government. The Valdosta City Council is comprised of a mayor and seven council members. Valdosta relies on the City Manager for all the daily operational functions while the Mayor/Council is charged with setting policy. The Human Resources Director reports to the City Manager. The City of Valdosta is a service-oriented organization of more than 600 employees and has an annual budget of $124 million. The city aspires to be a healthy, vibrant, safe environment where residents live, work, play, and grow in a diverse community that values families and neighbors.

Find details about position expectations by reviewing the recruitment brochure at www.mercergroupassociates.com

The City of Valdosta seeks a visionary, strategic, and collaborative Human Resources Director who is excited by the opportunity to implement transformational initiatives, modernize the HR Department, and establish the Department as a trusted strategic partner to City leadership, employees, and the community. Most importantly, the ideal candidate will be passionate about public service and committed to making the City of Valdosta an employer of choice, one that inspires confidence within the workforce, empowers employees to achieve success, and develops leaders who are dedicated to serving the citizens of Valdosta. The successful candidate will have exceptional leadership, communication, and change management skills, along with the emotional intelligence necessary to build credibility and strong working relationships with elected officials, city leadership, department directors, employees, and community stakeholders. To be successful in this position, the new Director will be comfortable leading through change, building high-performance teams, managing multiple priorities, and creating a culture of accountability, collaboration, customer service, and innovation. The new Human Resources Director will be an experienced leader who embraces continuous improvement and understands that Human Resources is much more than just compliance but is a catalyst for organizational success. The new Director will have experience implementing major organizational initiatives such as compensation and classification studies, performance management systems, HRIS/payroll technologies, employee engagement strategies, policy modernization, leadership development, and workforce planning.

Minimum Qualifications: 

·        Bachelor’s degree in public or personnel administration, human resources, business management, or related field is required; master’s degree preferred.

·        Five (5) years of progressively responsible management experience in human resources/personnel management or an equivalent combination of education and experience is required. Local government human resources experience is desired.

·        SHRM-CP, SHRM-SCP, PHR, or SPHR Certification preferred; other professionally recognized certification programs are indications of commitment to the profession and will be noted during the valuation process.

Compensation & Benefits:

The expected starting salary range for this position is $120,000 - $140,000 (depending on qualifications of the selected candidate). A very comprehensive benefits package is offered for this position, including: Health, dental and vision insurance; no cost Medical Clinic; Basic Life and AD&D – provided by the city at no cost; Long-term disability paid by the city; Employee Assistance Program – EAP; Pension benefit – employee contributes 3%, vested in 10 years; Deferred Compensation 457 offered through Empower and Paid time off (PTO) and paid holidays. Relocation expenses negotiable.

How to Apply:

Interested candidates must submit by email a cover letter, resume, a list of at least five job related references (with email and phone numbers), and salary history no later than August 28, 2026, to lisaward912@gmail.com. Please direct any questions to Mercer Group Associates, Lisa Ward at 706-983-9326; or Alan Reddish, at 706-614-4961.