Human Resources Director

Under administrative direction, plans, organizes, provides administrative leadership and strategic direction for, and actively participates in, the activities and functions of a City department. This includes developing departmental goals and objectives aligned with the City’s evolving needs; implementing and enforcing forward-thinking policies and practices; planning and organizing the delivery of modern, high-impact services; developing and managing departmental budgets; and fostering an adaptive and resilient team culture.

The Director is expected to lead with humility and tenacity, driving innovation while rolling up their sleeves to help San Ramon thrive as a dynamic and growing city. This leader cultivates a coaching mindset, guiding staff with both patience and clarity, while also embracing empathetic candor to tackle challenges head-on and support open, courageous communication at all levels of the organization. As an innovator, the Director challenges legacy approaches and promotes sustainable, outcome-driven solutions that advance the City's mission.

This is a Department Director classification that oversees, directs, and participates in all functions of an assigned department. The position requires a blend of strategic leadership and hands-on operational guidance, emphasizing adaptability, innovation, and continuous learning. The role is deeply collaborative, working across departments, with the community, and with elected officials to deliver modern public service while nurturing a team culture centered on learning, ownership, transparency, and shared success. Directors are expected to mentor and develop others, model constructive conflict, and drive outcomes through collaborative innovation rather than status-quo maintenance.  Employees appointed to the Department Director classification on or after November 26, 2024, are excluded from the City’s “competitive service” under Section 105 of the City’s Personnel Rules & Regulations and thereby designated as at-will appointments serving at the will of the Appointing Authority.

• Develops and directs the implementation of goals, objectives, policies, procedures and work standards for the department; prepares and administers the department's budget, including determining staffing and operational needs; approves and monitors departmental expenditures.
• Plans, organizes, administers, reviews and evaluates the work of professional, technical, office support and operational staff through subordinate levels of supervision.
• Leads with a coaching mindset, fostering a culture of curiosity, self-reflection, and empowerment. Builds team resilience by modeling ownership of failures and celebrating shared wins.
• Provides for the selection, training, development, and work evaluation of department staff; authorizes discipline as required; provides policy guidance and evaluation to staff.
• Prioritizes staff mentorship and professional growth through intentional development plans and a growth mindset philosophy. 
• Contributes to the overall quality of the department's service by developing, reviewing and implementing policies and procedures to meet legal requirements, City needs and departmental mission. 
• Encourages innovation grounded in outcomes, not optics—driving measurable results rather than resume-building efforts.
• Prioritizes and allocates available resources; reviews and evaluates program and service delivery; makes recommendations for improvement and ensures maximum effective service delivery.
• Monitors the day-to-day operations to ensure that the department is meeting goals and objectives, is following policies and procedures, and is providing services effectively and efficiently; takes corrective action as appropriate. 
• Maintains empathetic candor in communications across the organization—encouraging direct yet respectful conversations with peers, staff, and executive leadership.
• Confers with and represents the department and the City in meetings with the City Council, boards and commissions, government agencies, and the public. 
• Demonstrates humble leadership, advocating for what’s best for the City while remaining open to challenge, feedback, and evolving perspectives. 
• Handles administrative responsibilities for the department, including conferring with and representing the department and the City in meetings with the City Council, members of boards and commissions, various government agencies and the public.
• Oversees the preparation of periodic and special reports, providing financial approval on documents, and preparing and delivering presentations.
• Serves on the management team and attends meetings and conferences ensuring departmental needs and concerns are represented.
• Prepares and directs the preparation of a variety of written correspondence, reports, procedures, ordinances and other materials; maintains and directs the maintenance of working and official departmental files.
• Monitors changes in laws, regulations and technology that may affect departmental operations; implements policy and procedural changes as required. 
• Evaluates technology and process innovations with clear return on investment ROI) standards—avoiding trends without proven value.
• Performs other duties as assigned. 

Knowledge of:

• Administrative principles and practices, including goal setting, program development, implementation, and evaluation, and supervision of staff, either directly or through subordinate levels of supervision.
• Public agency budget development, contract administration, City-wide administrative practices, and general principles of risk management related to the functions of the assigned area.
• Organizational and management practices as applied to the analysis and evaluation of projects, programs, policies, procedures, and operational needs; principles and practices of municipal government administration.
• Applicable Federal, State, and local laws, regulatory codes, ordinances, and procedures relevant to assigned area of responsibility.
• Principles and practices of employee supervision, including work planning, assignment, review and evaluation, and the training of staff in work procedures.
• Methods and techniques for the development of presentations, contract negotiations, business correspondence, and information distribution; research and reporting methods, techniques, and procedures.
• Record keeping principles and procedures.
• Modern office practices, methods, and computer equipment and computer applications.
• English usage, grammar, spelling, vocabulary, and punctuation.
• Techniques for effectively representing the City in contacts with governmental agencies, community groups, and various business, professional, educational, regulatory, and legislative organizations.
• Techniques for providing a high level of customer service by effectively dealing with the public, vendors, contractors, and City staff.

• Develop and implement goals, objectives, policies, procedures, work standards, and internal controls for the department and assigned program areas.
• Provide administrative and professional leadership and direction for the department and the City.
• Inspire, coach, and develop a high-performing team with a growth mindset.
• Prepare and administer complex budgets; allocate limited resources in a cost-effective manner. Lead with a bias toward action and collaboration, especially when initiating change or evaluating outdated practices.
• Interpret, apply, explain, and ensure compliance with Federal, State, and local policies, procedures, laws, and regulations.
• Plan, organize, direct, and coordinate the work of management, supervisory, professional, and technical personnel, delegate authority and responsibility.
• Select, train, motivate, and evaluate the work of staff and train staff in work procedures.
• Research, analyze, and evaluate new service delivery methods, procedures, and techniques.
• Effectively administer special projects with contractual agreements and ensure compliance with stipulations; effectively administer a variety of finance programs and administrative activities.
• Conduct effective negotiations and effectively represent the City and the department, with confidence and candor, in meetings with governmental agencies, contractors, vendors, and various businesses, professional, regulatory, and legislative organizations.
• Prepare clear and concise reports, correspondence, policies, procedures, and other written materials.
• Conduct complex research projects, evaluate alternatives, make sound recommendations, and prepare effective technical staff reports.
• Establish and maintain a variety of filing, record-keeping, and tracking systems.
• Organize and prioritize a variety of projects and multiple tasks in an effective and timely manner; organize own work, set priorities, and meet critical time deadlines.
• Operate modern office equipment including computer equipment and specialized software applications programs.
• Use English effectively to communicate in person, over the telephone, and in writing.
• Use tact, initiative, and independent judgment, grounded in humility and accountability, within general policy, procedural, and legal guidelines.
• Establish, maintain, and foster positive and effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work. 

Any combination of training and experience that would provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required qualifications would be: 

Education
Equivalent to graduation from a four-year college or university with major coursework in business or public administration or a field related to the area of assignment. 

AND

Experience 
Five (5) years of supervisory or administrative experience in the area of assignment.

Licenses and Certifications 

• Possession of, or ability to obtain, a valid California Driver's License by time of appointment.
• At the option of the appointing authority or the City, persons hired into this class may be required to either possess at entry or obtain within specified time limits designated licenses, professional registration, certification or specialized education and training relevant to the area of assignment. 

Resumes cannot be substituted for a completed application.
 The recruitment process is as follows:
The most qualified candidates, as determined by initial screening of applications, will be invited to participate in an oral and/or department panel interview.
The first round of interviews is tentatively scheduled for early-October 2025.The eligibility list will be established from the interview process. Individuals on the eligibility list may be asked to participate in a second round of interviews based on specific individual qualifications and the City's needs. The eligibility list will remain in effect for one (1) year for potential future vacancies.

The City of San Ramon is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate against race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex origin, sexual orientation or disability. In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, should special accommodations be necessary at any stage of the selection process, please contact the Human Resources Division at hr@sanramon.ca.gov.
 
Information contained herein, including the recruitment process, is subject to change without notice.