Senior Human Resources Director

POSITION SUMMARY

The Senior HR Director leads all human resources functions for the bank, serving as a strategic partner to executive leadership while overseeing the day-to-day HR operations typical of a community/small bank environment. This role combines hands-on HR management with strategic workforce planning, ensuring the bank attracts, develops, and retains talent while maintaining full compliance with banking regulations and employment law. Given the size of the organization, this position requires a generalist who can move seamlessly between high-level strategy and tactical execution.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Strategic Leadership

• Serve as a trusted advisor to the CEO, executive team, and Board of Directors on HR strategy, organizational design, and workforce planning
• Develop and implement HR policies, procedures, and programs aligned with the bank's business goals and regulatory obligations
• Partner with department heads to support branch and back-office staffing needs

Talent Acquisition & Management

• Oversee full-cycle recruiting for all positions, from tellers to senior management
• Design and manage onboarding programs to ensure new hires are set up for success
• Lead succession planning efforts, particularly for key leadership and compliance roles
• Manage performance management processes, including annual reviews and goal-setting

Compensation & Benefits

• Administer competitive compensation structures, including salary benchmarking specific to community banking
• Oversee employee benefits programs (health insurance, retirement/401(k), PTO policies)
• Ensure compensation practices comply with equal pay regulations and banking industry norms

Compliance & Risk Management

• Ensure HR practices comply with federal and state employment laws (FLSA, FMLA, ADA, Title VII, EEOC)
• Maintain compliance with banking-specific HR requirements, including background check and bonding requirements under FDIC regulations
• Oversee employee training related to BSA/AML, compliance certifications, and required annual training
• Manage employee relations issues, investigations, and disciplinary actions with appropriate documentation
• Maintain personnel files and HR records in accordance with regulatory retention requirements

Culture & Development

• Foster a positive workplace culture aligned with the bank's community-focused mission
• Develop training and professional development programs for employees at all levels
• Lead diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives appropriate to the organization's size and community

HR Operations

• Manage HRIS/payroll systems and ensure accurate, timely processing
• Prepare HR metrics and reports for executive leadership and the Board
• Manage the HR budget and vendor relationships (benefits brokers, background check providers, etc.)
• May directly supervise one or more HR generalists/coordinators, depending on bank size

QUALIFICATIONS

Education

• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or related field required
• Master's degree preferred

Experience

• 8–10 years of progressive HR experience, with at least 3–5 years in a leadership role
• Banking or financial services HR experience strongly preferred
• Experience working in a small or community organization where HR wears multiple hats

Certifications (preferred, not always required)

• SHRM-SCP or SPHR certification
• PHR or SHRM-CP acceptable with relevant experience

Skills & Competencies

• Deep knowledge of employment law and HR compliance, with familiarity with bank-specific regulatory requirements
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills; ability to build trust with employees at all levels and with regulators/examiners
• Sound judgment and discretion handling sensitive/confidential matters
• Proficiency with HRIS and payroll systems
• Ability to balance strategic thinking with hands-on execution in a lean organization
• Strong analytical skills for compensation benchmarking and workforce planning

WORKING CONDITIONS

• Primarily office-based, with occasional travel between branch locations
• May require flexibility for occasional evening/weekend work related to Board meetings or urgent employee matters

Work Location: In person